January 10, 2022 | Philippians 4:4-13 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Christian educators Muriel and Duane Elmer have synthesized a theory of learning they call simply the “Learning Cycle.” In this model, it’s not enough to acquire or retain information. We must also value and apply it. In the long run, true learning changes our habits […]
January 9, 2022 | Luke 6:46-49 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The book of Proverbs paints a vivid image of foolishness: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” (26:11). The shocking nature of this image makes it hard to forget. Of course, we could also say, “We should learn from our […]
January 7, 2022 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue One helpful definition of “godly learning” or “biblical learning” is offered by Christian college professor Jeffrey Greenman: “Learning, undertaken as an intentionally spiritual pursuit, motivated by a desire to grow in the love of God, grounded in God’s truth, and aimed at being equipped […]
January 6, 2022 | John 7:14-24 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” we’re told. Why not? Because “all that glitters is not gold” and “the beard does not make the philosopher.” After all, “beauty is only skin deep.” An older proverb puts it this way: “Things are seldom what they […]
January 5, 2022 | Acts 26 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue God called me back to school at age 40 to earn a Ph.D. I wasn’t entirely happy about it. I preferred learning on my own. Even in a good program with terrific professors, there were days I understood why some say that PHD means […]
January 4, 2022 | Isaiah 44:24-28 DEVOTION This Month’s Issue Elisha and his servant woke up one morning to find their city surrounded by an impressive enemy army (2 Kings 6:15–17). “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” cried the servant. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more […]
January 3, 2022 | Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 DEVOTIONS This month’s Issue “Ecclesiastes is realistic,” wrote seminary professor Thomas Schreiner. “It teaches us that life under the sun is often empty, futile, and absurd, and yet it does not run us into the rocks of despair…When we understand that this world isn’t paradise on earth, we are […]
January 1, 2022 | Proverbs 22:3–4 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue As a teacher, I have known many students who disliked school but who loved learning. Perhaps you can relate. “School” tends to be about grades, exams, due dates, hallway passes, and standing in line. “Learning,” on the other hand, is about exploring God’s world, putting […]
August 20, 2021 | Hosea 9:10–17 DEVOTIONS Read Passage This Month’s Issue Children have a refreshing honesty when they pray. A few years ago, Kicks105.com posted the “Top Ten List of Funniest Prayers by Kids.” Here are a few of my favorites: 1) Dear God, Please make my parents understand that if I don’t eat […]
August 19, 2021 | Hosea 9:1–9 DEVOTIONS Read Passage This Month’s Issue I recently heard a story about a basketball coach who shared his faith in Christ with a couple of his players after practice when they expressed interest. He told them about the consequences of sin, Jesus’ death on the cross, heaven and hell, […]