As followers of Jesus, the greatest among teachers, we are pro-education. Education is not just the pursuit of a degree but the development of an ongoing discipline that promotes learning.

The writer in Proverbs describes the learning process as “attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.” (Proverbs 1:1-3).

In his “Discipleship Journal,” author Bill Mowry offers the following suggestions on how to become a lifelong learner:
¨ Start with your attitude. Lifelong learning begins with a heart that desires change, wisdom, and application.
¨ Ask questions. Learners ask good questions. They possess an insatiable curiosity—a longing to know, discover, and inquire. Ask questions that get below the surface.
¨ Join others. Collaborative learning—in classes, small groups, with friends and colleagues—allows us to benefit from diverse perspectives and approaches. People are a gold mine of learning that is tapped through conversation.
¨ Check out the other side. Take time to examine and understand another point of view, even if it radically contradicts yours. You may see things in a new light, or you may have your old convictions strengthened. Personal convictions that have never been tested remain flabby.
¨ Read broadly. Include a diversity of books, authors, and topics. Resist the temptation to read only those books that reinforce what you already believe.
¨ Keep a journal. Recording what we learn captures our growth in wisdom.
¨ Experiment. Try new approaches and ideas. Age does not affect your ability to learn. An eighty-year-old can learn to surf the net like an eighteen-year-old.
¨ Apply what you know. Our depth of understanding is often directly related to our ability to apply what we’ve learned. Application takes knowledge from the head to the heart.

Last Sunday, we enjoyed a good day in worship as we welcomed many guests to our services and new members to our fellowship. For me, it was great to be home sharing in worship with our church family, and to be leading in worship with our staff, our worship team, and our choir and orchestra. I consider it a God-given privilege to serve alongside you during these exciting days at First Baptist.

August is here and many of our students have begun, or will soon begin their fall semester. This Sunday during our services of worship we will recognize students and teachers of all ages as we share in a prayer of dedication for the coming school year.

During the excitement of the “back to school” season, we look forward to hosting in a Family Night and Fish Fry next Wednesday evening August 9 beginning at 5 o’clock. What a great opportunity to bring the entire family and to invite new friends as we share an evening meal and participate in both indoor and outdoor games at the Christian Activities Center. Parents and children will have an opportunity to register for AWANA and sign up for Children’s Choirs. You may want to bring your camera and take a photo of the CAC prior to renovation.

Our first August concert, scheduled for Sunday evening at six o’clock, features the “Go Ye Choir and Orchestra” which recently shared seven concerts in 11 days in Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg on our International Music Mission Trip. The diverse selections for the concert include hymn arrangements and spirituals, and compositions by Mozart and by Michael W. Smith.

Invite a neighbor to join you as we gather for worship and Bible study this Sunday.