MARCH 20, 2010

A MIND TO LEARN

Scripture Reading- Ezra 7:10

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it,

and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."

Years ago, I visited an old country church in Madisonville, Pennsylvania. On the auditorium wall hung an antiquated sign with the following message:

Our Aim

1. Every member present every Sunday

2. On time

3. With his own Bible

4. A liberal offering

5. A studied lesson

6. And a mind to learn

I copied the message into my Bible as a reminder of the importance of preparing my heart when I go to church. As a preacher, I've been fascinated by folks who walk out of the service saying, "I got nothing out of the sermon," while others make life-changing decisions. I'm convinced that the key is a prepared heart. The best seed must have good soil that is prepared and ready to receive it.

Several tips will help your family prepare to learn on Sunday morning. Ask God to speak to you ( Ps. 81:10, 85:8, 119:18 ). Make sure each family member brings a Bible and has it open during the message. Instruct children to take notes as soon as they are able to write. Limit distractions. Tell everyone to sit up and look at the preacher. On the way home, ask each family member to share something he learned from the message. On Saturday night, go to bed early; this step will enable everyone to stay awake.

Don't allow yourself to "Come as your are and leave as your were"--as one of my preacher friends said. Allow church to be a place of learning and growing in the things of God.

DISCUSSION: What does Matthew 5:6 say about hunger and thirst? Compare your physical appetites to your spiritual appetites.

-Tom Palmer-