When have you had to learn something? Was it back in school when you had to make a good grade to pass? Do you remember anything about a subject you crammed for? Or did it go into the short-term memory file? Have you had to learn something at work — a new software or procedure or personnel? Did you have to learn something about a relationship — the loved one’s likes/dislikes, the names of the in-laws, important dates?

How did you do with all that learning? What stuck, what evaporated, what changed how you did life?

Do you think there will be a time when you can stop learning? You’ve learned enough to get around, to not make a fool of yourself, to not make a spouse angry, to survive at work? Or are you going to have to learn something new the rest of your life? Do you know someone who acts like they already know-it-all? Are they appealing to you or do you try to avoid them? Meanwhile, do you strive to change the conversation toward subjects you know a lot about? If so, why is that?

When have you learned the most (and the most enduringly)? When things were smooth and easy or during times of stress and pain? Is it possible that the Lord doesn’t want anything to go to waste in your life, including distress?

Romans 5:1-5 speaks about how we can even take pride in our problems because troubles produce good & needed aspects of our character. What has your essential character learned in the last two years? What do you have yet to learn? Sometimes teachers talk about students who are “teach-able.” Are they talking abut you?

In John 16:12-15, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. In your experience, does that happen in one moment or over a long time (a too-long time)? Does that happen when you’re alone or is it more likely to require a group learning it together?

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday at 9 am for Traditional worship in the Sanctuary. As always, I would love to get your comments or questions — ahead of time or afterwards. Just click here.

(Did you hear Alice Cooper sing in the background, “School’s Out for Summer”?)