Whether it’s been months, years or decades since the last time you walked down an aisle to that classic tune, Pomp and Circumstance, if you’re a Christian you’re never done learning. 

This is because in the school of discipleship, where all Christians go to become more like Christ, classes in Biblical Literacy, Spiritual Formation, Missional Living and Loving Those You Dislike are lifelong courses. 

In fact, the word disciple in Greek, μαθητής (Mathétés: math-ay-tes’) actually means student or learner.

In New Testament times, students or disciples would devote themselves to the teachings of the rabbi they followed. There was a required fidelity to the teacher and the teaching. Thus, for Christians to know Jesus and be his disciple, we must know his Word. 

We must know how to read and apply it correctly. We must live in it and memorize it – to the point that in every real-life situation Scripture springs to mind as our guide and our authority.

We must also study and accept the parts of Scripture we’d rather ignore. It’s easy to shy away from parts that are difficult or make us uncomfortable. 

While we can all do this in a variety of ways, I’d like to highlight two common categories where we fall into this tendency.

1. The Pages of Scripture: For the Head or for the Heart

It is certainly dangerous to make generalizations, but in a sense this is what denominations are – People gathering according to general agreements about Scriptural truths and expressions. It stands to reason then, that all denominations would have Scriptural practices that are strengths, as well as perhaps some Scriptural blind spots as well. 

For example, some traditions emphasize the Scriptural mandates for doctrinal truth. This is good and it is important. I would certainly never advocate for less doctrine! So what possible avoidance of Scripture is happening here? I would humbly suggest that where doctrine and teaching is paramount, there might be a deficiency in making room for the Spirit. Whether because of abuses witnessed in the Spirit’s name, or specific views on the cessation of some spiritual gifts, all activity of the Spirit’s moving is moderated, or even suppressed. In these corners, obedience and biblical knowledge might be elevated, but certain spiritual disciplines like, for instance, intercessory prayer and fasting may not be as prevalent. 

On the other hand, some traditions might focus on the Scriptures regarding the Spirit’s work in the people of God, thus emphasizing an experiential response to the gospel and emphasis for spirit-empowered living. This is good and it is important. I would certainly never advocate for less of God’s Spirit! So what Scriptures might take a backseat in these circles? I would humbly suggest the importance of doctrinal instruction in the church. The Spirit might be seen as a replacement for studying God’s Word formally, or in context, and valuing doctrine can be viewed as quenching the Spirit. 

There are of course individuals and churches that strive for balance and a totality of all these things. The head and the heart, the Word and Spirit, can clearly coexist. It’s just that often, given personality or denomination preference, we tend to elevate one more then the other in our day to day experience. 

I think Paul is a great example here. Actually, I just really like Paul in all things, but if you study his life in Acts or read through his letters, you see a man who was both led by the Spirit (Acts 16:6-25) and who even spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18). You also see a man who reasoned the gospel with people of varying worldviews or those with questions (Acts 17), was careful about his Jesus teaching (Rom 7:10, 25, 1 Cor. 11:23, 15:3) and also called out false teachers while encouraging those he mentored in the faith to be careful about their doctrine (both letters to Timothy, but especially 1 Tim 4:15-16).

Depending on your tradition, there may be aspects of those examples that make you uncomfortable. But here’s why it matters. In any well-rounded education, you take classes that you enjoy or are good at, and some that you wish you could avoid – but all of them make you a better student. All of them, if you are willing to learn, increase your understanding.

So, if you’ve never read (or listened to a podcast) on Systematic Theology, that may be a great way to grow in your biblical understanding. Of course this shouldn’t replace your actual Bible reading, but theology helps us understand the collective doctrines of Scripture, and that helps us see God more clearly and love him more deeply. Theology, rightly done, leads to worship. 

On the other hand, if your tradition has not leaned into the power of the Spirit (Rom 7-8) then it may be time to expand the palate of your soul. An ongoing prayer life and fasting, intentionally asking the Spirit to lead you and make you aware of his presence throughout the day- these are vital to the Christian life. Let’s just say this, if Jesus did it, maybe we should too. Learning to recognize the Spirit will deepen your trust and teach you to discern more readily.

2. The Pages of Scripture: The Reality of God’s Morality

The other way we tend to omit Scripture in our lives is by staying away from the passages that teach on God’s standards of morality. 

Look, this is hard to write, because I think the church has missed it in a lot ways here. We have at times been really unloving and unChristlike to people with struggles or failures in various areas of this category – like to those who have had abortions, given in to premarital sex or struggle with same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria. 

That said though, there is now a progressive pendulum within the church, especially of those my age and younger, who want to ignore or attempt to reinterpret what is clearly stated in Scripture. Nothing is more countercultural and conversationally uncomfortable than the Bible’s view of sexual ethics. 

And again, this is where it is important for us to understand the concept of discipleship through the lens of being a student. Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). If Jesus taught something as true, then we are responsible to submit to that teaching, and friends, Jesus did teach on these things- despite what trendy TikTok pastors would have you believe. 

So, no matter how difficult it is, no matter how much we dislike it or how much others may dislike us for it – if Jesus taught it, and God’s Word includes it, we must accept it. 

I don’t say this lightly. As a single Christian, who is approaching forty, living by biblical standards of sexual integrity is hard. I am not downplaying the difficulty of surrendering our identity and choices to the commands of Scripture. But surely we understand this when we take it seriously. How can we say we are students of a particular teacher and then reject the teaching that he gave us? We simply cannot.

Dear fellow followers of Jesus, we are his students forever. We need to keep learning and growing in the truth of Scripture and the example of Christ. Whether that is studying doctrines, allowing the Spirit to move us, submitting to hard things or another aspect of discipleship – we all still have spiritual homework!

None of us is done, or will ever be done, on this side of Heaven. But take heart, the reward when that eternal day comes will be so much better than tassels and chords… so study on friends, study on.