Do I have a Teachable Spirit?

​This is a breakout post from our 27-day devotional, Come and Gather: Family Time With God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather. You'll find this post featured in Part Two: Days 6-10 A Walk Through God’s Word.

Our text today is from Proverbs 12:15.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

It has been said of some, they’re not always right, but they are never in doubt. The Bible would call that type of person a fool.

Thirty-six times in Proverbs the fool is mentioned as one who:

• Will not heed warnings
• Will not receive instruction
• Makes light of sin​

​To have a teachable spirit is a wealth beyond measure. God has granted varying degrees of intelligence and ability to different people, but when a person learns early in life to have a teachable spirit that person is much more likely to be successful.

​​A very wise counselor once told me, every person you meet can teach you something. I have found this not only to be true, but a valuable reminder. It is often difficult to take instruction from someone who may not present it in the most tactful way or from someone who may not be as old or experienced, but the statement still stands, every person you meet can teach you something. 

Just the other day, my seven-year-old son shared a fact with me he learned at school about the difference between an octopus and a squid that I did not know. I don’t know how I will ever use that information, but that is not important. The value of that experience was it reminded me that I can learn something from every person, even my own child. ​

God gives us many people we can learn from. Children are given parents and yes, parents are given children. Students have teachers and teachers have students. Employees have employers and employers have employees. The avenue of instruction and learning is a two-way street.

The root of the unteachable spirit is, in a word, PRIDE. God save us from an attitude of pride that will rob us of a chance to learn and grow.

“Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12

While it is true that every person you meet can teach you something, so can every situation you face. What has your teachable spirit learned recently from a situation you've faced?

Come and Gather: Family Time With God published with permission
​Pastor Jeremy Sweatt, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut

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Come and Gather: Family Time with God

Introducing Come and Gather: Family Time with God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather.

Gather is a lovely, 35-page, daily devotional centered around families enjoying time together with God and each other.

This 27-day devotional is divided into 3 parts: ​

Part One: Days 1-5, is written specifically with husbands and wives in mind. In this part of Gather, husbands and wives will explore 5 Signs of a Functional Family.

5 Signs of a Functional Family includes:

1. An Attitude of Service
2. Intimacy Between the Husband and Wife
3. Husbands Who Are Loving Leaders
4. Parents Who Teach and Train
5. Children Who Honor and Obey​

​Part Two: Days 6-20, is written with the whole family in mind. It's A Walk Through God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we will discuss subjects like God's mercy and protection, being humble, dealing with difficulties, having a teachable spirit, dependence on God, and much more.

Part Three: Days 21-27, is a Men of God Character Study. We'll learn character traits that every Christian should strive to demonstrate in their life straight from characters in God's Word. 

At the end of Gather, you'll find a place for your family to record specific prayer requests. I love being specific with my prayer request and seeing God answer in specific ways. Recording the answers, as well as the requests, is a great way to help your children see God working in your lives.

grab your copy of come and gather over in our little Etsy shop

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