Teachable Kids
Our Notgrass History team gathers on Zoom each morning. We pray together and chat about various topics. Ray often brings a Bible truth, a history fact, or a bit of news. Yesterday he shared a quote from Dr. Benjamin Rush, whom Ray identified as a forgotten Founding Father. Rush said this about his friend, Benjamin Franklin: “I never visit him without learning something.”
The quote compliments both men. Franklin was always learning and exploring and therefore he always had something important to say.
Dr. Rush was eager to learn.
Yes, Benjamin Franklin was a fascinating and intelligent man, but Benjamin Rush was, too. Rush studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a professor of both chemistry and medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and was on the staff of Pennsylvania Hospital, the first hospital in America. Even with all of those accomplishments, he was still willing and eager to learn.
Rearing children who are eager to learn is a wonderful gift that you can give to the world. Children who are eager to learn are fun to be around—and they can grow up to be world changers. In Proverbs Solomon warns that those who don’t listen to instruction might end up saying this someday:
. . . How I hated instruction!
And my heart disdainfully rejected rebuke!
I did not listen to the voice of my teachers,
Nor incline my ear to my instructors!
I was almost in total ruin
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.
Proverbs 5:12-13
Who likes to be around a know-it-all? No one really knows “it all,” but we have likely all met people who act like they do.
A fool does not delight in understanding,
But in revealing his own mind.
Proverbs 18:2
It is sad really to think of all the knowledge they miss due to an unwillingness to listen and to learn.
Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 26:12
One of the main things a know-it-all lacks is humility. It is a prerequisite for being willing to learn from other people.
When pride comes, then comes dishonor;
But with the humble there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
Jesus said:
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 23:12
The wise homeschooling mama patiently trains her children to listen and learn.
- She sets the example by listening and learning from those who are older and wiser than herself.
- She listens and learns from her children.
- She models respect for every person.
- She is careful to speak respectfully of other people.
- She creates a homeschool environment in which learning fits each of her children so that learning is a pleasant experience.
Because we are all created in God’s image, I believe that God has never created anyone who didn’t have something to teach others. The wise person watches intently for the lessons available to learn.
Again and again, God’s Word teaches us and our children to have teachable hearts.
Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
Proverbs 13:10
