Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8351 teachableness

8351 teachableness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8351 teachableness

A quality in those who desire to learn, present in the disciples of Jesus Christ and seen in Christ's relationship to his Father. Unwillingness to receive the truth leads to spiritual darkness.

The importance of teachableness

For spiritual growth

Hebrews 12:5-12 See also Hebrews 5:11-14

For a life of obedience

Philippians 4:9 See also James 1:25; Revelation 3:3

For discerning God's guidance

Proverbs 3:5-6 See also Psalm 25:4-5; Romans 12:2

The requirements for teachableness

Eagerness to learn

Proverbs 18:15; Isaiah 50:4-5 See also 2 Chronicles 26:3-5; Psalm 27:11; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:9-11; Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 143:8-10

Willingness to learn

From God:

Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 5:27

From God's representatives:

Exodus 20:18-19; Deuteronomy 18:15; Deuteronomy 31:12; Nehemiah 8:3,9

From godly parents:

Psalm 34:11; Proverbs 4:10-13,20-21; Proverbs 8:32-33; Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 23:22-23

From the wise:

Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:12

From Jesus Christ:

Matthew 12:42 pp Luke 11:31; Matthew 17:5 pp Mark 9:7 pp Luke 9:35; John 10:27

From the Holy Spirit:

Luke 12:11-12; Revelation 2:7

Readiness to ask for help

Acts 8:30-31 See also Mark 4:10; Mark 9:11,28; Mark 10:10; Mark 13:4; Luke 3:12; Luke 11:1

Readiness to pray for wisdom

Readiness to pray for spiritual insight

Ephesians 1:17-19 See also Ephesians 3:16-19; Colossians 1:9

Humility

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 See also Job 6:24; Proverbs 11:2; Matthew 11:29; Matthew 18:3-4; 1 Corinthians 8:1-2; James 1:21

Living by truth already known

John 8:31-32 See also 2 Peter 1:5-8

Jesus Christ was willing to be taught by the Father

John 15:15 See also John 5:30; John 8:26-28

Hindrances to teachableness

The activity of the devil

2 Corinthians 4:4 See also 2 Timothy 2:25-26

Not having the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:14

Unwillingness to be taught

Isaiah 48:17-18 See also Psalm 32:9; Psalm 81:11-12; Matthew 13:14-15 pp Mark 4:12 pp Luke 8:10; Isaiah 6:9-10; Luke 11:52 The “key to knowledge” is the fulfilment of the OT Scriptures in Jesus Christ; Luke 16:31; Luke 19:41-44; James 1:22-24

Reliance on the wisdom of the world

1 Corinthians 1:19-20 See also Isaiah 29:14; Romans 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Being afraid to ask questions

Mark 9:32 pp Luke 9:45