Are You Listening?

Last week Misty and I had supper with some friends. It was great to catch up with these friends that we don't get to see very often. While catching up we discussed children, work, and church. One of our friends mentioned how one of their children, who is going through a difficult time, mentioned something they had learned in a bible study I taught several years ago. I allowed myself a small moment of pride as I listened to our friend share. I was happy to hear that some of my teaching had taken root and that the Holy Spirit was able to use it to impact the life of this person.

To be completely honest with you, pastors and bible teachers hope you take everything in that they share with you from God's Word. They work hard to prepare, study, organize notes, and then share what they have learned about a topic or biblical text. But in all honesty at times we wonder how much people listen to what is preached or taught. If a bible teacher or preacher spoke for the 2 hours my son accuses me of preaching, then I could understand zoning out from time to time. But no longer than the average bible study or sermon is (most likely 30 minutes), it should be easy to listen and learn.

The real question to ask is not did you sit through a lesson or study without nodding off, but instead are you listening? Listening and hearing are two different things. You can hear someone without truly listening to them. Listening is taking in what is shared and using it in your life. Are you listening to what the preacher or teacher is sharing with you or are you just hearing a lot of noise? If you are listening to your preacher or teacher then you will find an unusual thing happening. If you listen and take in what is shared with you, the Holy Spirit can use it later to guide you and help you in this life. One of the names for the Holy Spirit in the Bible is "Helper." The Helper uses the truths of God's Word, that have been sown in your heart, to guide you and help you in this life. If you are tuning out those who are trying to sow God's truths in your heart then you are limiting what the Helper has to work with in your life.

Here is some encouragement for you today. As you can tell, it is important for you to listen to what your preacher, Sunday School teacher, Small Group Leader, or Bible Study Leader is sharing with you. To give them every opportunity to pour into you as much as they can do the following things: 

1. Be There. If you aren't there they can't teach you. Make every effort to be there and quit making excuses for why you can't be there. Everyone is busy. Everyone is tired. Everyone is "whatever." Drop the excuses and be where you need to be.

2. Limit Distractions. Put away the phone, tablet, or anything else that will keep you from paying attention to your teacher. If the people you generally sit around are a distraction (unless they're your kids) find a new place to sit where you don't have the distractions.

3. Help Yourself Learn. Everyone learns differently. Some are auditory learners and others are visual learners. Find the way that best helps you learn and then use it. If taking notes is a way to help it sink in, then take notes on what is being taught.

4. Ask Questions. Granted asking a question in the middle of a sermon is generally frowned upon, but that doesn't mean you can't ask after the service. If you don't ask for clarity or help, then you're making it harder on yourself than it has to be. Ask questions because it can only help you.

I hope today's post will help you get more out of the time you put into hearing God's Word taught to you. If you use the help mentioned above your pastor or bible teacher will probably be less likely to wonder, "Are you listening?"


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