Sermon Series ~ July/August 2008
“The Content Of Our Character: Living Into The Way Of Christ."
July 6, 2008: Lifelong Learning
Proverbs 1:1-9 & 2 Timothy 3:10-18
by Pastor Allen V. Harris

~ Sermon OUTLINE only ~

Introduction To Sermon Series

Wording of Series is from Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have A Dream" speech: Address at March on Washington, August 28, 1963. Washington, D.C.
I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

- Why this series? You asked for it!
- What I won’t do:
> Elementary School “Character Ed.” (for example: Respectful, Trustworthy, A Good Citizen, Caring, etc.) You should have learned these long ago!
> “One Size Fits All” list. Lists are important, but the Bible is filled with stories of people trying to live out what lists mean.

Today’s Theme: Lifelong Learning
VS Lifelong Learning
- What we’re up against:
> Graduation is seen as an end in itself, and not a transition to more learning.
> Bumper-sticker theology: “God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It” IS NOT acceptable. God doesn’t demand we turn off our brain to be faithful!
> Idolization of the “M.Div.” (Master Of Divinity Degree) in the mainline church; there are many ways to faithfully and intentionally mature in our faith.

Metaphor: Lifelong Learning as a Scavenger Hunt
I remember a great scavenger hunt in the children’s mystery book, “The Mystery On The Isle Of Skye” by Phyllis A. Wheatley
Lifelong learning is like this: There is wisdom placed by God everywhere along our journeys; and each new learning leads us to even more wondrous and life-giving discoveries – if we but seek them out!

Resources For Lifelong Learning:
- The Bible
> God’s constant call to grow, develop, become…
> Rabbi Jesus teaching to the end…
> “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet…”
> Spiritual Food/Solid Food metaphors used by the Apostle Paul
> Confession and Repentance central to our faith
*vs “flip-flop”/certainty rhetoric of our current culture, esp. Presidential Campaigns. If we cannot allow people – especially our highest leaders – to change their minds and grow from their learnings, then confession and repentance is worthless rhetoric! We must allow people to grow in wisdom, which means to allow them to change their minds!

- Tradition
Our Christian tradition is full of examples of lifelong learning:
> John Robinson: “… the Lord had more truth and light yet to break forth out of his holy Word.”
> Gracie Allen: “Never place a period where God has placed a comma.”

- Disciples of Christ
> Alexander Campbell, key founder of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), was completely committed to lifelong learning.
-- he preached, wrote & published books and journals, debated, founded colleges
-- It was once said that the reason our denomination didn’t have bishops was because we had editors!
-- Quote from the founding of Bethany College
Education is, therefore, a theme perfectly transcendental, possessing paramount claims on the patriot, the philanthropist, the philosopher and the Christian. It comprehends in its premises the development of creator and creature, heaven and earth, time and eternity, in full and perfect adaptation to the cultivated and capabilities of man.
True, and lamentably true it is, that few--comparatively very few, indeed, have the capacity, the patience, the perseverance, the taste and the means adequate to its acquisition and consummation; and, equally to be regretted is the fact, that larger and more liberal provisions are not made for its extension and perfection, both by the State and the Church; as to both it is the greatest known or conceivable auxiliary. (1)

But cannot education become an idol itself?
- The anti-clericalism of the early Disciples of Christ was not anti-Lifelong Learning, but against Educational Elitism. There is a big difference.
- Lifelong Learning includes many things:
> academics, reading books or magazines, church school, home study, experience
> essentially the priesthood of all believers requires an informed and educated membership
> but NO approach to education should be esteemed/pitted against another.
> God-Blessed Perfect Example: Ada Smith – a true Life Long Learner! Her neice, Deidre Gogolin, said, “She didn’t finish high school, but with all the reading she did “she had the equivalent of three PhD’s.” Ada wrote about herself, “With so many books and mags I’ve bought, that keeps me interested. I always was (still am) a ‘Book-a-Holic.” And after telling me she didn’t have a radio or television, she wrote, “But really, I don’t miss neither radio nor T.V. Give me my books and I’ll be contented.”


Practically Speaking: How to be a Lifelong Learner?
- See life as a wonderful Scavenger Hunt!
- As a pastor, I try to model my pathways of education
- You find your own pathways of education… every day of your life! “We have gifts that differ according to the grace [and opportunities] given us.”
- Do I expect you to do what I do? NO!
- What do I expect?

Expectation of Discipleship:
> Go to Sunday School
> Or Teach a Sunday School class
> Go to Bible Study (more than 1 person makes a study)!
> READ! At whatever level and pace… READ!
- Examples from my Study & Renewal Leave:
> School for Christian Living @ Church of the Savior, Washington, DC
> Core Classes (including “City Matters”) @ The Sanctuary, Minneapolis

Conclusion: “A faithful Christian IS a Lifelong Learner!”

(1) Alexander Campbell, CORNER-STONE ADDRESS OF BETHANY COLLEGE On the 10th of December, 1857, the College building was burned. On May 31st the corner-stone of the new building was laid, with the following address, appearing in vol. 1858, page 362:
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Rev. Allen V. Harris
Franklin Circle Christian Church
www.FranklinCircleChurch.org


 

Copyright 2008 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096