Teachability = The desire and willingness to learn something new AND to relearn what you think you already know
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. Proverbs 9:9 (NIV)
Message Title: “Get Wisdom”
Wisdom = knowing the right thing to do and doing it.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (NIV)
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.” Proverbs 8:1-4 (NIV)
Life-Principles found in Proverbs
The Generosity Principle
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)
The Watch Your Mouth Principle
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3 (NIV)
The I Can Control My Emotions Principle
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11(NIV)
The Encouragement Principle
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
The Wise Counsel Principle
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
The Little-by-Little Principle
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11 (NIV)
The Shut up & Work Principle
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 (NIV)
The God Knows Best Principle
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
4 places we can discover wisdom for our lives:
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Proverbs 2:6-10 (NIV)
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Proverbs 2:6-10 (NIV)
We cannot access the WISDOM of God apart from the WORD of God.
THE MOMENT WE RECOGNIZE WE NEED IT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
If TEACHABILITY is the key to everything, then SELF-AWARNESS is the ability to pick up the key.
THE QUESTIONS WE ASK
I believe new levels of wisdom are waiting for us at the corner of SELF-AWARNESS and HUMBLE CURIOSITY.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 (NIV)
Our desire to learn is revealed in the questions we ask.
The best question to ask = “What is the wise thing to do?”
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame… The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:13-15 (NIV)
THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Proverbs 20:5 (ESV)
If we are going to live lives of TEACHABILITY, we have to forever redefine the word TEACHER in our lives.
“The ultimate goal is to see everyone, everywhere, everyday as a teacher you can learn from. That’s what it means to live a lifestyle of teachability.” – Matt Keller
