Lifelong Learning

On NoSuperHeroes, we speak about grace often. I post titles like Want Growth? Stop Trying! and Pleasing God or Trusting God?

It would be easy to assume we are all grace and no effort on our part. Sloppy Agape some would call it. Just to be sure, I totally believe in being intentional about growth.

Engaging in lifelong learning is a buzzword today in higher education. There are so many online resources, you don’t even need to attend seminary.  Take a look at Itunes and you will see further education is an emphasis in the church.

Geoff Colvin in  [amazon_link id=”B001HD8NZ8″ target=”_blank” ]Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else[/amazon_link] emphasizes how much work it takes to become great. As Christians we believe God does give us gifts, but we steward them and make them grow.  Similar to Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour principle, Colvin says if we work hard enough we can develop and invest in our futures.

So, I thought I would share with you some of the places I am engaging to deepen my learning. I would love to hear some of yours as well as the end of this post.

Here are several ways I pursue life long learning.

Podcasts: I regularly listen to the following podcasts:
– Michael Hyatt – This is Your Life.
– Andy Stanley – North Point Community Church and the Leadership Podcast.
– Dave Ramsey – Entre Leadership Podcast.

Reading:
It is proven that great leaders were readers.

• John Wesley had a goal to read 5 hours a day.
•  Teddy Roosevelt tried to read a book a day.

I read a wide variety of books. Here is a sampling of the types of things I read:(some are in line for the next reads.)

Leadership– I need to be learning to sharpen my ministry skills in this area
[amazon_link id=”B005PRJLXU” target=”_blank” ]Next Generation Leader[/amazon_link]. I reviewed it HERE.
[amazon_link id=”B006412NBI” target=”_blank” ]Leading with a Limp: Take Full Advantage of Your Most Powerful Weakness[/amazon_link]

Parenting – I have two young boys. For their sake, I need to grow!
[amazon_link id=”B008L03UI0″ target=”_blank” ]Birth Order Book[/amazon_link]
[amazon_link id=”B001C344C4″ target=”_blank” ]Better Dads, Stronger Sons: How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character[/amazon_link]

Marriage – See above reason, only now for my wife!
[amazon_link id=”B0054TVVPK” target=”_blank” ]The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God[/amazon_link]

Grace – I am called to preach grace for the rest of my life, I try to read as much as I can about it.
[amazon_link id=”0849920701″ target=”_blank” ]Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine[/amazon_link]. I reviewed it HERE.
[amazon_link id=”0984757708″ target=”_blank” ]The Cure: What if God isn’t who you think He is and neither are you?[/amazon_link]. I reviewed it HERE.

Missions – I am constantly faced with how little I know while living in Africa.
[amazon_link id=”B001IDYHH0″ target=”_blank” ]Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility[/amazon_link]. I reviewed it HERE.
[amazon_link id=”B0046LUO6O” target=”_blank” ]The Meeting of the Waters: 7 Global Currents That Will Propel the Future Church[/amazon_link]

Finances – Living on a missionary budget always has me on the search for financial wisdom.
[amazon_link id=”0132350092″ target=”_blank” ]Living Rich by Spending Smart: How to Get More of What You Really Want[/amazon_link]
[amazon_link id=”0137141734″ target=”_blank” ]The 1-2-3 Money Plan: The Three Most Important Steps to Saving and Spending Smart[/amazon_link]

Internet:

I routinely have several topics of interest I am pursuing. These range from finances and investing, travel strategies, and of course blogging.

Howard Hendricks in [amazon_link id=”B003CZSI6S” target=”_blank” ]The 7 Laws of the Teacher: Applied Principles of Learning[/amazon_link] says, “If you stop growing (or learning) today you stop teaching tomorrow.”

So True

What ways do you pursue life long learning? Share them so we can collect ideas and learn from each other.