The Learning Process

The Church Leadership Series involves you in a proven learning process, the Six-Step Wisdom Process. You will talk through issues with other people to discover not just knowledge, but wisdom about how to live for God.

Combining the best of classical insights with research in adult learning styles, we have developed a fresh approach. Although fresh, it is not unique or novel, but is founded upon proven ways of learning used in many cultures. Many people have found that this approach has given them the best learning experience of their lives.

You may discover that the Six-Step Wisdom Process sounds like common sense, because it is! God has designed us in His image to discover and learn about His creation and His will. All of us are learning all the time in the natural course of our lives. We face problems and must solve them. We confront situations which call for decisions. And we address questions for which we must give answers. The Six-Step Wisdom Process will help you to think biblically about difficult situations you face and prepare you to think wisely about any issue in your life.

Prayer

From the beginning of the process, you must take every step in prayer.

As a Christian, the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, indwells you. When you face difficult situations, your first response should be to get on your knees and stay in communication with God throughout the process.

Step 1: Grasp the Issue

If you want to deal effectively with concerns in your life, family and church, then you must think wisely about them. To think wisely, you must first grasp the issue.

Grasping the issue involves really exploring the topic. Is the surface disturbance the real concern or are deeper forces at work? Whether in a counseling situation or a philosophical debate, you must be perceptive. Sometimes you may not even be aware an issue exists until an explosion rocks your world. You must first perceive a problem accurately before you can take proper action to solve it.

You might find yourself confused and frustrated by the complexity of some real-life issues. Psychological, doctrinal, relational, and financial concerns, all intertwined and interrelated, often create an emotionally charged atmosphere in which it is difficult to think clearly. At this stage you must try to express the essence of the issue in a single sentence.

“A problem properly stated is partly solved.” —Henry Hazlett

In articulating an issue, you begin to dispel vagueness and confusion. The goal is to identify the essential elements of the controversy or issue. You want to understand the relevant details and state the problem in precise terms.

Step 2: Study the Scriptures

Having grasped the issue, where do you go to find answers? Your life and ministry must be rooted in the Word of God. It is the only source of absolute divine truth. No other book, person or source offers unquestioned truth.

Every theological issue, if treated comprehensively, would require a study of the whole Bible. But who has the time to study the entire Bible as it relates to every specific situation? The most practical approach is to seek the most relevant passages and plumb them to the best of your ability. Frequently an issue can be resolved with the study of several passages and multiple related principles.

Step 3: Consult Other Sources

After searching and studying Scripture, it is wise to seek the advice of others (Prov. 12:15; Prov. 13:10; 19:20). Seeking counsel and advice can take many forms. You can read commentators on key passages related to the issue at hand. You can seek the input of older, spiritually mature people who have experience in specific situations. You can read books and articles on the issue. You can also listen to cassette tapes, watch videotapes, search electronic databases and utilize on-line services.

Sometimes the study of history will be helpful. You can benefit from drawing on the record and wisdom of the ages of godly leaders who have faced similar issues. Occasionally even non-Christian scholars can be helpful because they introduce information from other disciplines. For instance, there may be legal or philosophical dimensions to an argument.

Step 4: Form Your Response

After grasping the issue, studying the Scriptures, and consulting other sources, you are ready to form your initial response. Real life requires decision-making. As a Christian, you will be called upon to make difficult, complex decisions.

To promote your leadership development, you will be asked to respond in a variety of ways, depending on the situation. To encourage your spiritual formation, spending time in the Word and prayer to focus on what you have learned about an issue is crucial. To facilitate deeper understanding, you may be asked to describe an element in more detail or to complete an exercise based on scripture. To further develop ministry skills, you may be asked to look at more intentional learning opportunities.

At this point in the process you only need to form an initial response, rather than a final, refined, carefully worded conclusion. It is the time for creativity. You should try to produce many ideas, looking at the issue or problem from as many perspectives as possible. This is the time to challenge basic assumptions.

Step 5: Discuss the Issue

After forming an initial response, your understanding and wisdom will be greatly enhanced by discussing the issue with other believers who are wrestling with the same issue. Together, you will sharpen each other.

A focused discussion by a group of believers who have all been working on the issue ahead of time can be an exciting experience. Together, prepared believers motivated by the Spirit of Truth can generate an atmosphere where ideas and wisdom multiply beyond any single person's ability to create. Together, we can see a wider and farther horizon as we sharpen, challenge and confirm one another.

Step 6: Take Action to Obey

Take some practical steps to respond to the truth you have discovered. Your goal is not just to gain knowledge, but also to become a more godly, mature leader. Loving accountability in the context of a mentoring friendship is the key to success here. You will be encouraged to meet with a mentoring partner with an aim of helping each other stay on track with the intended outcomes. Jesus says the person who hears the Word without acting on it is building a spiritual house on unstable sand. In contrast, the person who acts on the truth is building a spiritual house on the solid rock of Jesus Christ (Matt. 7:24).