Becoming a Lifelong Learner

Are you a lifelong learner? Do you constantly seek understanding and growth? Lifelong Learning is a term for an ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge. It was originally coined to refer to older people who continue to seek growth and development in retirement. Their study is often outside of formal schools or training programs but is driven by curiosity. Their goal is the pursuit of personal satisfaction and fulfillment, and it is motivated by a person’s own interests and ideas.

I have been thinking of the parallel I see, between being a lifelong learner, and a lifelong disciple of Jesus: a lifelong follower. We humans are natural learners. We pick up information and understanding as we go through our day. As we live our life, we develop new interests, activities, hobbies, technologies, and skills. We are curious and want to explore where life will take us. What if we apply some of the principles of lifelong learning to our relationship with God? What if our definition of a disciple was similar?

Being a disciple, describes the person who has an ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of God. As with lifelong learning, this pursuit builds our motivation and creativity, and helps with problem solving. It encourages us to improve our quality of life and our inner sense of peace and self-worth. It enables us to identify the ideas, goals, and values that inspire us. It builds self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. It makes us more flexible and adaptable. It helps give us direction, inspiration, and strength of character. Our role as followers builds faith and an unshakable trust in the Lord. It propels our spiritual growth and clarifies our relationship with our God.

The study of education has determined that there are 4 Pillars of Learning:

Learning to know

Learning to do

Learning to be

Learning to live together.

These 4 Pillars can also be applied to the Christian life. We need to know who God is and how He loves us. We need to understand what He wants us to do and to be, as we grow in character and begin to reflect the love of God. We need to learn to live peaceably with one another.

Matt 22:37-39 ESV "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The most obvious characteristic of being a lifelong learner is that it is a lifelong pursuit. It is not something we pick up one day and abandon the next. A real benefit is that it continues to inspire and cause growth throughout life. Our Christian lifestyle is something that we pursue daily. It propels us forward. It is a never-ending inspiration and motivation to connect with God and let Holy Spirit lead us in the direction of spiritual growth. It builds fulfillment and is part of God's plan to give us a life full of love and joy: an abundant life.

1 Timothy 4:10 " For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."

Philippians 2:1-2 "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."

1 Thessalonians 5:23 "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."