day 501: Learning Platforms

How we learn in the world of business varies. Some organizations struggle to train or provide corporate development so most learning happens “OTJ”, on the job. This is not all bad, but other organizations want to take learning further and have established training departments who have people who are skilled in instructional design, assessment and delivery. Corporate training is a skill that companies can hire and hone. Certain corporations have become world-class at training and this has become part of their hallmark and their employment brand. But, what any trainer knows is that training only goes as far as the willingness of the person who is being taught. Regardless of the learning platform that has been created, without active and enthusiastic participants, the platform is not of much value and while it may look good, the money invested will not yield the results desired. However, if there are people who are hungry to learn and passionate about growing and becoming better, then the learning platform can be only just cobbled together and it still will work. So, learning is really about us and our desire to be developed and to learn something new. David told us that we should be learners when he called upon God in Psalm 119:135, and said; “Look down on me with love; teach me all your principles”. David was a learner and he modeled that there is one teacher who provides us with all we will ever need, if we only approach Him as active and willing learners. Today, what is there for you to learn that you haven’t yet allowed yourself to be taught?

Reference: Psalm 119:35 (New Living Testament)

day 363: Are We Really Teachers?

Purposed worKING is written for each of us to know our Purpose and to give us lessons and examples on how to put that purpose to life each and every day within our work. There is an old adage, "He who teaches, learns twice." Not only are we to be examples, role models and living illustrations of how Jesus would live within our lives, we are also, by default teachers of others. God puts us in situations and also gives us opportunities and challenges to follow His plan so that we can be the teachers of others. Pastor David Wilkerson posted this message about how we are all teachers but also how through examples of how we face and deal with the blows of life and let God be in control, we are being trained by God so that we can teach further. Enjoy the words and message of Pastor Wilkerson:

"By the close of the book of Genesis, God had chosen a small, insignificant people to become a teaching nation. He wanted to raise up a people who would be living examples of his goodness to the heathen world. So, to bring about such a testimony, God took his people into places that were beyond their control. He isolated Israel in a wilderness, where he alone would be their only source of life, caring for their every need.

Israel had no control over their survival in that desolate place. They couldn’t control the availability of food or water. They couldn’t control their destination, as they had no compasses or maps. How would they eat and drink? Which direction would they go? And where would they end up?

God would do it all for them. He would guide them every day by a miracle cloud, one that glowed at night and dispelled the darkness before them. He would feed them with angels’ food from heaven and provide them with water from a rock.
Yes, every single need would be supplied by the Lord, and no enemy would be able to defeat them.

“Out of heaven he made thee [Israel] to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee” (Deuteronomy 4:36). God’s people would hear his very words guiding them, and in turn they would testify, “Who is there of all mankind who has heard the voice of the living God?” (see 4:32-34).

The nations surrounding ancient Israel were filled with “other gods,” idols made of wood, silver and gold. These gods were mute, unable to see or hear, unable to love, guide or protect the people who worshipped them. Yet any one of the nations could look to Israel and see a special people whom God carried through a terrible wilderness. They would see a God who spoke to his people, who loved and felt, who answered prayers and provided miracles. Here was a living God, one who guided his people in every detail of their lives.

God raised up a people who would be trained by him. There had to be a people who lived under his authority, who would trust him completely, giving him full control of every aspect of their lives. That people would become his testimony to the world."

What do you have to teach today to others? The answer is obvious...a lot!

Reference: Deuteronomy 4:32-34 & 36

day 325: Teaching to Learn Twice

Invariably we are asked to repeat something to someone else for what will feel like the umpteenth time. It will be someone new into the company, a co-worker who wasn't listening, or a boss who doesn't pay enough attention, etc. At some time we probably all have found ourselves saying, "How many times do I have to repeat myself?" The fact is that if you have ever said this to yourself it only means that you have information and knowledge that others need, so in a sense you are being asked to teach others what to do or how to do something. But in those moments, it does feel like there is not a lot of value added for the repetition. However, with a little attitude adjustment we will be able to see that in fact what is happening is that we are improving ourselves with each repetition and with each time that we teach, we actually learn again. The old saying is; "He who teaches, learns twice". I think this is so true even in situations where the messages being delivered are the same, there is always a better way of delivering or an added part of the story that gets built as the repetitions occur. So, we should not miss the opportunities to teach others, even when it feels like rote and redundant. In Psalm 119:13 we read that David used words spoken out loud to reinforce and learn; "I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us." David learned the laws by heart by reciting them out loud over and over. It is the same with how we repeat and recite those things that are a part of our work. As we get put into the situations where it feels repetitive, let's not miss the opportunity to know that we are teaching others as we go and that the words from our mouth can become the words that are recited and followed by others. Every time we teach, we learn again. Here is to a day of learning.

Reference: Psalm 119:13 (New Living Testament)