How I Learn

I learned a concept in graduate school that intrigued me immensely. It was simple, and yet profound. It was on the concept of how we learn. The formula went like this: if the letter “i” stands for the Information we know or level we are at, and “1” is just one step beyond what we know, we learn best, or the most, at i + 1. I don’t learn at my greatest potential at i + 10, ten levels higher than where I am at, or even i + 2, two levels higher than where I am at. I learn best, absorb the most, make the most connections in my mind, at simply i + 1.

I loved this concept, and so decided to center my graduate thesis on it! One question I had, in my Action Research I did while teaching overseas, was: Well, what is “i” for my students?? How can I know my students the best, where they are in their level of knowledge, where they are culturally, where they are in their learning styles? How do I pursue knowing my students so well . . . so that I know how to best impact them? I learned so much while doing this research! And the concept has stuck with me to this day!

At the beginning of every semester I teach, I have students do a short writing, so that I can take their short essays home to examine. Hmmm . . . where are they at? What are their strengths and weaknesses in grammar, in structure, in formality, in organization . . . all the things I want to teach them. Also, I begin to get to know them for WHO they are. This is sooo important to me. Where do they come from, what’s their first language, what do they think about learning English, and what are their learning styles? What’s their family background, what’s going on in their lives right now? Once a week, I take 10 minutes of class to have students journal about themselves in a small notebook . . . my questions range from “What were your expectations when you first came to America?” to “What two things do you value most in life?” I often have them share briefly in class, but I also love reading their answers. Seeing their writing, but also seeing how they think, is where I get to know them. And getting to know them is where I become a better teacher.

I’ve applied this idea of going one step beyond my current level to other areas in my life. At the gym, I am careful to do a number of reps, or a weight level, or a stretching level, or a cardio length or intensity, at just one level beyond what I am comfortable at. I don’t go all crazy and go way beyond my capability! But my levels do steadily increase as I get better!

I’m learning this even in a financial class I am taking right now! I’ve learned that healthy money management occurs when we begin to integrate “principles”—saving just a little bit more than I’m already saving each month, spending just a little less than I’m spending—I begin to learn a trend, a principle, a habit, of going just a little bit beyond where I’m at, rather than focus on a certain dollar amount.

But the greatest area that I’ve tried to apply this concept is in my spiritual life. Hmmm . . . and to this moment, I’m not sure what or how to think about this. I feel immensely confused. It’s such a struggle for me, and I often want to be at i + 1,000! My main question is: Who pursues MY learning in my spiritual life, me, or God? Or both?

I think of verses like “Work out your own salvation” . . . and I wonder what part I play in my salvation. A pastor recently related to me that this means to perform good works out of, and because of, my salvation. Okay, that helps! I also think of Hebrews 12: 14—“Pursue peace, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” . . . and I think: does that make ME responsible to become a better person?? But then I see verse 15 right after it—“looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God” . . . and with the whole book of Hebrews, that I’m studying right now, I see that my salvation is based on grace. God’s work.

And then, I came across Lev. 20:7-8 the other day: “Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” HUH???? It’s not the “be holy” part that confuses me, it’s the “I’m the Lord who sanctifies you” that does! Where do I rest? Where do I let Him lead? And where do I actively pursue my sanctification?? My getting better as a person?

Practically speaking, when I see that I lack patience, do I manipulate something in my life that will cause me to have to wait . . . or do I let Him do that in His time? I think I fear that if I try so hard to keep being a better person that I might idolize my sanctification, love my sanctification, MY goodness, rather than love God Himself.

And even this question makes me wonder at my pride. Do I think that I want my sanctification even more than God does?? Isn’t it He who put the desire in me to pursue Him, and also to pursue holiness, because I know that’s what pleases Him.

I think of friends or mentors that I respect. Though sometimes I battle against trying to gain their approval or acceptance, I also DO want to please them. I know what would impress them or make them say “well done” and I seek for those things because a “well done” from them would really mean something. But I wonder—does God want me to seek holiness, obedience, so I can hear Him say “well done”? I want it so bad from Him. Is that what He wants?

Hebrews 11 says several times that men and women gained approval from God by their faith— approval!! I want that! -- and all of their faith was acted on by what they DID, by their obedience, though they couldn’t see how their obedience would play out to gain anything. And yet Hebrews 11 says that their faith did gain something—it gained the promises.

Do I continue to try to seek approval from God, or do I joyfully accept the fact that I am already completely approved by God because of the work of His Son, the precious God-blood of Jesus? How do my works compare to His??? Why would I even try?

And yet . . . I am called to obedience. There is no doubt in my mind that I am called to obedience. Perhaps it is both—I am completely accepted. The work is finished. The sin is covered. I am not atoning for sin, nor in fear that God will take away my salvation, His love, or His approval. But I also continue to seek His approval by LIVING in faith, because I know that’s what pleases Him.

Is it complicated or simple? My mind often wants to know—so, what’s the final answer? But perhaps I cannot know this completely right now. Perhaps I will simply trust His Word. It IS finished. And yet, walk in obedience. Perhaps I will go back to the i + 1 principle. This is where I am. This is what I know and believe. And as I study His Word, walk with Him, I can tuck one more principle into a belt of truth… waiting for more to come . . . one at a time. And just be satisfied with that.

And just as I’m applying certain learning principles to my students that they are unaware of, perhaps He, my great Teacher, is applying even greater learning principles to my life . . . and I am unaware.

Jesus, let me keep my eyes on You. If You want me to think about this, help me. If I need to simplify and simply focus on You, trust You, let go of control, direct me. Be my Teacher! And help me to see that You already are.