“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
If you happen to have trained in education as I did, then you are probably familiar with the term, “readiness.” Researchers tell us that children must be “ready” prior to learning a new concept.
Readiness may be defined as “the state of being prepared for something,” and “willingness to do something.” This state of preparedness and willingness makes a learner receptive and ready to learn.
Have you noticed a young child struggling to hold a pencil and barely making scribbles with it, while at the same time observing another child who is drawing, coloring, and making shapes that closely resemble letters? These are examples of different stages in writing readiness.
A child who is of preschool age may have a strong desire to write, but his little fingers must have muscular development to the point where he can hold a pencil properly, and, with that pencil, he must be able to draw lines and curves in order to form letters. Until he is ready to do those things, he cannot learn to write. He is not ready—yet. But another child of the same age may be ready.
Educators are aware of the different stages of learning readiness. They know that all children of the same age do not come prepared to learn all tasks at the same time, so they must help each one to prepare for the task at hand. A child who has never held a pencil or other writing implement will not be as prepared to learn to write as the child who has had access to multiple writing and drawing tools and has been scribbling for some time.
In the same way, there are those Christians who are ready to learn specific Biblical concepts and those who need more support before they reach that point. Readiness varies in Christians just as it does in schoolchildren.
What, then, do Christians need to do to be ready to learn?
First and foremost, Christians must read and study the Word of God, becoming familiar with all of its teachings. The best way to do this is to set aside a portion of each day to read the Bible and meditate upon the passage you have read privately, in your morning or evening devotional time. Daily Bible reading requires discipline, setting a time daily regardless of all the other events going on around you, to read and study God’s word. This discipline, however, provides readiness for greater truths to be revealed. No one can learn without a foundation—that is, without being ready. Daily Bible reading prepares you, or makes you ready for more.
Second, Christians need to learn to study corporately. That is, while private reading and Bible study is valuable, studying with a group is equally or even more valuable, because the truths learned are expanded upon. Learners at different stages enrich the learning of the entire group with comments and ideas that can provide greater insight into a scripture or concept. Different learners help others make connections, relating one concept to another, so that a “web” of concepts is built. Learning corporately enriches learning for all. This type of corporate study can happen best in small groups, such as Bible studies, or Sunday school classes, where attendees may freely comment and share ideas. Attending church services are important, too, but they serve a different purpose. Church services are designed for corporate worship, fellowship, discipling, and prayer. (Heb 10:25)
Third, Christians need to learn to study the Bible expectantly. That is, they need to eagerly and prayerfully open its pages, expecting to learn something new as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit. This type of revelation truly depends upon readiness. Those who have failed to build a foundation of Biblical truths are likened to the foolish man who built his house upon the sand and when the rains came, it washed away the foundation and the house. (Matthew 7:26-27). They aren’t ready to receive any revelation. In fact, they are spiritually blind. (2 Cor 4:4). However, those who have built a firm foundation in scripture are ready to receive revelations.
Now, you may be thinking that God made revelations to men such as Moses, Noah, Abraham, and the prophets (and others) in Biblical times, but not today, right? The Bible tells us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Malachi, 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) He does not change. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” If God revealed things to men thousands of years ago, then he still reveals things to men today, because He does not change.
What, then, can be revealed that is not already written in scripture? The Bible answers this question several times: Prov 25:14 says, “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” (NIV) And, Prov 28:5 says, “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” (KJV) The story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus states, “27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:13-35). Assimilating these scriptures reveals that the overarching message of Biblical truth is God revealing Himself to man and His eternal covenant with man fulfilled in Jesus. The Holy Spirit’s revelation, then, is specific truths about how that covenant is fulfilled in Jesus, and how it impacts you personally.
Are you ready to learn more? Are you eager to receive revelation? “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—But these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” (I Cor: 9-10)So then, Christian, there it is. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” If you want to learn great and hidden things that you have not known, prepare yourself and be ready!
From Peggy's Pen 