The Heavenly Schoolhouse
I miss the “smells” of school: the new book scent, the dirty laundry locker room “fragrance,” even the activity bus aroma. I miss the “sounds” of school: the 8:00am bell, the clanging of a locker door, and the yelling of a misguided teen from down the hall. I miss even the “sights” of school: looking outside the classroom window imagining myself scoring the game-winning touchdown, the banners, and the flags. These were the times when most kids had it all, but didn’t even know it. At what other time could you ever work for 6 hours and then go home? Where else could you slide a note to a friend, asking her for a date? Ahh…the joys of school.
The church is even a “type” of school. We meet together on the Sabbath for Sunday “School.” Every summer, we have Vacation Bible School. The learning does not stop there, though. During worship we learn to give, listen, and sing. We learn to worship by saying a rousing, “Amen!” (or a half-hearted, “Oh me!”) Learning is a great part of life. I believe that when we stop learning, we start to die.
From a biblical perspective, learning is a fabric which runs through Scripture. From the beginning of history, the aspect of learning was essential to life. God gave Adam all the fruits and vegetables in the Garden of Eden. However, God said, in Genesis 1:17, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die.” God taught them of the dangers and of the repercussions of sin. Even still, they freely ate — and regretted it eternally. Adam and Eve did not learn this lesson at this time, but they would grow to learn about God’s goodness and mercy.
Throughout the Old Testament, we have commendations on the process of learning. Proverbs 1:7 announces, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Psalm 25:5 underscores, “Lead me in Your truth and teach me.” Every Scripture passage is a testament to God’s sovereign care and a gift to us in the form of learning. Daniel 1:17 sums up this blessing as, “God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom.” Did you catch that? It was God who orchestrated the gift of knowledge for every single one of us. If it were not for the gift of knowledge, the church would be non-existent; for from our knowledge and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we gain salvation.
The New Testament writers assume that “knowledge” is to be gained and expanded upon. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages us to learn, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Furthermore, 2 Timothy 3:16 describes knowledge of the Word of God as “useful for teaching.” Paul encourages not only mental learning, but the implementation of this knowledge. Notice, he not only encourages the teacher, but also the student. He writes, in Philippians 4:9, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” God teaches. We learn. The dismissal bell never rings at the heavenly schoolhouse.
God desires for us to grow in the knowledge of Himself, His Word, and His Spirit. He implores us to dig into the Scriptures and receive and be sensitive to His teaching and voice. Romans 15:4 proclaims, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.” God teaches us lessons so that we might “learn” from Him - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. For the growing Christian, learning is essential.
Therefore, let us never stop learning. Let us never stop desiring for God to mold our minds into a pliable organ equipped to benefit our own individual spiritual walk with God. As the school bells ring this year, from your home to the schoolhouse, may we be reminded that God’s school never closes. Take those old books out and give them a good whiff for me. Smell God’s opportunities for growth!