Day 4 | 21-Day Growth Challenge | A Key to Life: Listening Well
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SCRIPTURE:
Proverbs 4:10 (NLT), My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. 12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. 13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
INSIGHT:
A lot of mistakes that people make have to do with not listening closely. Have you ever insisted that someone's instruction was incorrect, only to learn later that there was something lacking in listening?
One of the most important skills and disciplines in life is to listen with a heart to learn. In fact, it is the responsibility of the learner to be clear about instructions and details. Failure in clarity can result in an inconvenience like going to the wrong home address, or something more tragic like an airline pilot trying to land on the wrong runway. Jesus said on more than one occasion, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Today's text, and indeed, the whole of Proverbs, reveals many benefits to listening including: 1) A long, high quality life, 2) Embracing wisdom's ways, 3) Knowing the "straight path," 4) Neither hindered when walking in purpose nor stumbling when running.
Good listening enables you to "take hold of instruction." As an educator, I desire to see students listen to the point of being able to understand and apply principles in useful and unique ways. Good students and disciples of Christ must "guard" against losing knowledge by applying learning in meaningful ways. In education circles, it's called "transfer of learning" from the classroom to real world uses.
According to verse 13, embracing instruction through good listening is one of the "keys" to a prosperous life.
PRAYER:
"Lord help me to listen with a heart to learn. I have ears to hear so that I can gain a heart of wisdom. Help me remove distractions and barriers from listening to You. In Jesus's Name, Amen!"
ACTIVATION: (Use comment section below to share your insights. Record sensitive items in your personal journal. You can login or simply use your first name.)
- Looking at Proverbs Chapter 4, what are 3-4 other benefits to listening well?
- What prevents us from listening well?
- What actions will you take today related to this lesson?
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