People and Books: Two Ways We Grow in Wisdom
It is within God's blessings to allow us and give us deepened faith, but we must access it in the ways that he teaches.
People and Books
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See the people in front of you
But once you have determined that there are things about you that need to improve, that you want God to deepen or mature, then we have to turn our attention to how does that work? A better way of saying it would be how do I put myself in a position that God will increase my trust, my convictions, or my will to obey.
So again, the sermon focuses in on five ways that God can increase your faith, but it is those last two ways that we really want to focus on today.
What gets in the way
You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read. Now I don't think that Charlie was intentionally religious in his approach, and really when you think about the quote, he kind of misses some things.
He says, You won't change, you won't increase, you won't grow, you'll be the same you except for people and books.
A more loving response
If all we're doing is reading and talking to people who are just like us, who see things just like us, who don't add anything else to the picture, with what material will we build another floor on our building of growth? The Bible, of course, is so rich and deep you grow every time you open it, and that's a part of this Bible reading.
But there are people who have devoted their lives to understanding the Bible, to researching the history behind it, to presenting cases pertaining to its integrity who can absolutely blow your mind with incredible connections and information, but you have to read their books.
Practice this with others
Reading stories, reading articles, reading books, and just learning these really cool ideas, these spiritual connections I didn't know before, and I get to share it with you. I was actually listening to a sermon, and a man quoted Charlie Tremendous Jones about books and people, and here we are.
And I should say this all types of taking in of information by people you believe can help you really is included in the idea of reading.
Take the idea with you.
- 01Where do I see the problem or opportunity described in “People and Books: Two Ways We Grow in Wisdom” in my own life?
- 02What Scripture or spiritual principle in this study most needs my attention?
- 03What one specific change can I make this week to put this teaching into practice?
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