Have you ever known anyone who always has the right answer?
As a new teacher, I thought that was my job. I trembled at the notion of a student asking a question I couldn’t answer quickly and correctly.
With experience, I learned to welcome difficult questions. I learned to respond with “What do you think?” or “Let’s see what everyone else thinks.”
I learned that helping students discover information was more effective than feeding it to them.
I’ve recently been SLOWLY working my way through a study on the Sermon on the Mount. It’s a deep – very deep – dive into 3 key chapters of the Bible, chapters I thought I understood reasonably well. Turns out… not so much.
The study is a classroom format led by Dr. Tim Mackie. Tim understands the Bible at a level I will never comprehend, and yet frequently during the discussion he says something like, “This is where my understanding is currently.”
In other words, this man who speaks fluent Hebrew and Greek and has made his life’s work studying Scripture still realizes he has more to learn. He knows what he knows, and he’s open to listening to new ideas and the leading of the Spirit.
I want that attitude. I want to know what I know – nobody wants a math teacher who doesn’t understand basic math or a preacher who’s never read Scripture. But more than that, I want to be comfortable with the wonder of “Tell me more.”
When opinions diverge, I want to say, “This is where my understanding is currently. Tell me what you think, and why.”
And always be open to new information.
I need to be clear – this isn’t about violating principles. I have a small number of principles on which I will always stand (or sit, in my case).
I think, however, we often confuse principles with preferences. Perhaps a bit more about that next time, with some connections to the kids at the Home of Hope.
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Here’s a link to the first class in the study I referenced. I recommend it if you are ready to really dig in and spend a bunch of time understanding – and changing your mind.