What is with these kids?
Classes began last week. I had a room full of college kids staring at me as I told them about the class. I told them about myself and the way class would be structured—all the usual things. They listened but wrote down nothing.
Then we began discussing the law. And this course, an introduction to the law for undergraduate students, is always a challenge for students. Yet at one point last week, I looked at a row or two of students and was shocked, as I always am, that NO ONE was writing anything down. So I smiled and repeated once again:
“Write this down. Write everything down.”
But many just sat there, confident that they would do better by NOT writing. I’m sorry, but unless you have a photographic memory, that is wrong. What’s really going on? Laziness. Bad habits. Possibly some confusion about the value of written notes or the best way to use them when it is time to study later … but mostly laziness.
Ezekiel, one of God’s most remarkable prophets, was commanded to bring his A-game. To FOCUS, to CONCENTRATE like never before:
“Son of man, look with your eyes, listen with your ears, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for you have been brought here so that I might show it to you. Report everything you see to the house of Israel” Ezekiel 40:4.
We too should bring our A-Game, our best energy to God’s word. Give it some time and some serious attention. And write down what you are learning! Throughout the Bible men are commanded to listen well and often to write things down; join them.
God told Moses, “Write this in a book.” Exodus 17:14.
Kings were to write their own copy of the scriptures, Deuteronomy 17:18.
Jeremiah was commanded to write God’s words on a scroll, Jeremiah 36:2.
John is commanded to write letters to seven pastors in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
How much energy are you bringing to God’s word?
Do you take sermon notes? Do you ever write down things that you read in the Bible? When was the last time you memorized a verse?
Remember, the Bible is God’s love letter to you. It is also the “owner’s manual” for life on earth—it contains the answers to all of life’s questions, the solutions to all of life’s problems. But you will not find those answers if you are not spending time studying the word.
Nothing you are doing in your life is more important.
Nothing.
ΑΩ
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