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Christians are habitual learners because they have a habitual desire
to know God, understand His will, and obey His will. They continually
renew themselves into full-knowledge (Col. 3:10); putting off the
old man and putting on the new man.
In this article I would like to address five additional basic principles
of learning: Concentrate, Organize, Meaning, Associate, Visualize.
Although we could discuss several Old and New Testament passages
with each of these principles of learning, we can illustrate them
all in the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-34). We examined the first
of six principles last week: Desire. Those having a flaming passion
to eat the Supper of our Lord will be present at the supper whenever
possible. As Jesus desired to eat the supper (Lk. 22:15-16) with
His disciples hours before His death, so we should desire to eat
the supper hence proclaiming Jesus' death (1 Cor. 11:26).
While eating the supper we must concentrate as we think about Jesus.
We must examine ourselves that we are discerning the Lord's body.
Else, we will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord therefore
growing weak and eventually spiritually falling asleep (1 Cor. 11:27-30).
Organization is evident in the supper in three respects.
First, the Lord has organized the emblems (unleavened bread, fruit
of vine), and he organized the order - first the bread then the
cup with a blessing before each. Secondly, we must serve the supper
in an orderly manner (1 Cor. 14:40) without factions (1 Cor. 11:17).
Third, as we partake of the supper, it behooves us to order our
thoughts upon the body and blood of Jesus while dismissing thoughts
of the world.
The meaning of the supper has been established by the Lord
- it proclaims the death of Jesus. But we also have control over
the supper's meaningfulness to ourselves. We should personalize
the death and suffering of Jesus: understanding that he gave His
life for me, understanding the love of Jesus, understanding the
just reward of sin, understanding the awaiting penalty if it were
not for the blood of Jesus.
Association of the supper has been establish by the Lord.
Two common things are set forth to represent two precious things.
The bread represents the body of Christ which was given upon the
cross; and the fruit of the vine represents the blood of Jesus that
was shed for the remission of sins. While partaking of the supper,
we must associate the emblems with the body and blood of Jesus.
Visualization occurs when we put all of the above principles
together. We see Jesus, His suffering, His body, and His blood.
We hear the tones of suffering and agony. We are deeply moved by
the Savior's love and renew our commitment to live a devoted and
obedient life because of love. "We love Him because He first
loved us" (1 Jn. 4:19).
In following articles I plan to discuss vision in more detail.
Then I plan to present additional learning techniques from a Biblical
view.
For now, I encourage everyone to write down these six basic principles
of learning and apply them in your life, in the teaching of yourself
and others, and in the study of God's word: Desire, Concentrate,
Organize, Meaning, Associate, Visualize.
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