Learning as Discipleship

Author: Joel Liechty

All learning is a journey of discipleship. Theological education is discipleship. 

We are all called to be followers of Christ. To be faithful in this calling, we grow in depth: 

A depth of our understanding of scripture.

A depth in our own character.

A depth in our ability to love God and others well. 

When we learn more about scripture, when we love our neighbor better, when we develop in our christlikeness, we are being obedient as followers of Christ. 

Similarly, when we learn how to be a better nurse, a better teacher, a better pastor, a better electrician, a better parent, a better plumber, a better factory worker, we are also growing as a follower of Christ. How? We are called to not just be a nurse or a plumber or pastor or a businesswoman. We are called to live out a life of Christlikeness in this role. In how we treat other people, in the decisions we make, in the way we lead or serve. And when we do this as an integration of our faith into our work, we are being a faithful follower of Christ. And we are growing as disciples. 

All learning is helping us either be more like Christ or less like him. And when we learn how to be a better nurse or teacher or pastor, we are being faithful in our walk with Jesus. 

This is why we see learning and theological education as a journey of discipleship. Whether you are learning to preach better, teach 4th graders better, build a better house, lead a meeting better, parent better, or care for your colleagues better, you are reflecting Christ in the world. And this is a journey of discipleship.