Are you teachable? (part 2)

In the last article we looked at some barriers that keep us from being teachable. To be teachable means to be willing to learn, even when it challenges what you've always known. In this article I want to look at HOW we can make ourselves more teachable.

Be Humble.

First and foremost, if we are going to be teachable, we've got to practice humility. We've got to be humble enough to accept that we don't know it all! If we can't accept that simple fact, then we will never be teachable. This is why humility is so often talked about in the Bible - because it is key to being a disciple of Jesus. James said, "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you" (James 4:10). We can't be true disciples and not be humble. Humility is a key to being teachable.

Be a Student.

A student is someone who studies. If we are going to be teachable, we have to actually be taught. It doesn't do any good to have the willingness to learn, but never actually sit down and learn. Peter said "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Someone who is teachable must also be someone who is growing in knowledge. They must be a student of God and His word.

Be a Seeker.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, "Seek and you will find." Jesus wanted people to be "seekers." A seeker is someone who is looking for truth, and looking for answers to their questions. A seeker is someone who is not only humble enough to say they don't have all the answers, they're not only a student who wants to learn, but they're the kind of person who seeks out those answers. They knock on the door looking for answers. They ask questions looking for answers. If we're going to be teachable we must learn to seek out truth.

- Kolton Ballance

Are you teachable? (part 1)

To be teachable means to be willing to be taught something. It means more than having the capability of learning, but rather an eagerness to learn something new. While that may sound easy there are a number of things that can keep us from being teachable. I want to spend this article looking at some barriers that keep us from being teachable, and the next article looking at solutions to help us be more teachable. So here are some barriers that keep us from being teachable:

Pride.

Pride is thinking too highly of one's self. Pride is arrogance. Pride is boasting. Pride says that "I am always right." Obviously pride is the biggest barrier here. We can't be teachable and prideful at the same time. Many times our inflated view of ourselves, and our desire to be right keeps us from being teachable.

Emotions.

Many times our emotions won't let us be teachable. There are emotions and memories tied to certain teachings that keep us from changing our minds. Sometimes we lean so heavily on how we feel that we ignore the facts. But feelings and emotions can be a barrier to learning new things.

History.

Sometimes we've been engrained in something for so long that we can't see any other way. Our past can keep us from learning new things. Sometimes we have to unlearn things that weren't right in order to learn the things that are right. Our history can be a barrier that keeps us from learning new things.

The reality is that Jesus wants us to be moldable and teachable and willing to learn. He can't shape us if we're not willing to change. So I ask the question again: Are you teachable? Are you willing to learn? Jesus wants to mold you into something great, but are you willing to be molded?

- Kolton Ballance