There is a great account of experiential learning in the Old Testament. It happens really early in the book we call Exodus. This man by the name of Moses sees this bush on fire, but not burning up. The LORD God speaks to him, saying that Moses will lead God's people out of Egypt. And then, Moses asks the really relevant question; Who am I, that I should do this? God then gives Moses a very interesting answer.
If you look at Exodus 3:12, God responds to Moses' question in a very interesting way. How will you know that it's you that will do this, Moses? You'll know when you've brought the people out and ya'll're worshiping on this mountain. (By the way, that's the southern version there.) God doesn't give Moses a ten step program to follow on freeing people from slavery. He doesn't give him a book to read on leadership. God tells Moses, go do this, and you'll know you're up to it when you have finished.
That's a very stark contrast to how we tend to emphasize learning in our day and age. We read books about whatever it is that we're learning. We talk about what it would look like to do it. We talk about the reasons that we should be doing it, and we talk about the challenges of it. We talk about the history of it, or what research has said about it. And maybe, by now, you've gotten the point. We talk about learning. But how often do we actually get out there and do what we're learning about in order to learn about it?
The best way to actually learn to do something is by getting out there and trying it. Sure, sometimes a little background information helps (like knowing what a baseball is, from yesterday's example). And sure, sometimes reading the guide helps (like programming your TV or other devices). But really, it's when you get in there and tinker with it that you really learn how things work. It really does seem like God created us to learn by doing, by experiencing the life He has given us.
If you look at Exodus 3:12, God responds to Moses' question in a very interesting way. How will you know that it's you that will do this, Moses? You'll know when you've brought the people out and ya'll're worshiping on this mountain. (By the way, that's the southern version there.) God doesn't give Moses a ten step program to follow on freeing people from slavery. He doesn't give him a book to read on leadership. God tells Moses, go do this, and you'll know you're up to it when you have finished.
That's a very stark contrast to how we tend to emphasize learning in our day and age. We read books about whatever it is that we're learning. We talk about what it would look like to do it. We talk about the reasons that we should be doing it, and we talk about the challenges of it. We talk about the history of it, or what research has said about it. And maybe, by now, you've gotten the point. We talk about learning. But how often do we actually get out there and do what we're learning about in order to learn about it?
The best way to actually learn to do something is by getting out there and trying it. Sure, sometimes a little background information helps (like knowing what a baseball is, from yesterday's example). And sure, sometimes reading the guide helps (like programming your TV or other devices). But really, it's when you get in there and tinker with it that you really learn how things work. It really does seem like God created us to learn by doing, by experiencing the life He has given us.
No comments:
Post a Comment