If you’ve ever accidentally hit “share screen” while on a virtual call, you know two things: 1) Technology humbles us all, and 2) Things do not always go as planned.
And that’s okay, because neither does spiritual growth. In a article, we started talking about what it means to be a disciple, and spoiler alert: It starts with having the heart of a learner.
What Is a Learner, Really?
When I think of a learner, I don’t just picture someone surrounded by books or scrolling through theology videos on YouTube (though I may be guilty of both). A learner is someone who never assumes they’ve arrived.
It starts with humility. Someone once said, “Learning starts with realizing you don’t know everything.” That’s it right there.
In John 6, after some hard teachings, many of Jesus’ disciples packed up and left. But Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68, ESV). He wasn’t just loyal—he was hungry to learn more.
This heart posture sets the foundation for a growing faith. And as we look at Jesus Himself, we see a model of learning and growth.
Even Jesus Was a Learner
Let’s not skip past this. Luke 2 tells us that Jesus “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (v. 52, ESV). He was found in the temple, not holding court, but asking questions.
If the Son of God saw value in learning and growing, we should too. That verse doesn’t just speak to knowledge. It speaks to character. Jesus wasn’t just learning facts; He was growing into His purpose.
And spoiler: That purpose was to change the world.
But that kind of learning doesn’t stay in the temple or the pages of Scripture. It shapes how we live and how we walk through each day as His disciples.
Learning Means Living Differently
Learning as a disciple isn’t just about Bible trivia night. It’s about transformation.
Paul told Timothy to continue in what he had learned and to trust the sacred writings which “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15, ESV).
Then he gives us the kicker: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (v. 16).
Notice how many of those are action words? Teaching, correcting, training. Learning God’s Word isn’t passive. It’s formative.
And all this learning hinges on one crucial decision: whose voice are we listening to?
Who Are You Learning From?
There’s no shortage of voices these days. Podcasts, reels, talking heads on every platform. But a disciple learns from Jesus, first and foremost. That’s what set Peter apart.
In a world offering quick fixes and shallow answers, disciples go deeper. They open their Bibles. They ask hard questions. And they follow Jesus, even when the answers are hard.
Learning from Jesus means anchoring our beliefs in truth, not trends. It means listening for the eternal, not the algorithm.
Make Learning a Lifestyle
Learning isn’t seasonal. It’s a lifestyle. It happens in quiet mornings with your Bible open. It happens in frustrating Zoom calls where the audio won’t cooperate. And it happens when you realize you’re more distracted by your phone than focused on your faith.
A learner’s heart is humble, hungry, and open to growth.
So let’s keep learning. Let’s keep growing. Let’s not settle for a faith we had five years ago. Jesus is still teaching, and the class is still in session.
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