Journaling and Learning
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Introduction
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The goal of the Christian life is not to be a head on a stick, meaning that our heads are filled with the truth, but our hearts and hands are non-existent. We should not seek to be cold and disengaged theologians who know a lot of the truth, but don’t experience it in our hearts or lives. Some of you can probably think of someone who is like this. I pray that it is not me. However, this is hardly common amongst Bible believing Christians in America. Most seem to be more like headless chickens running around not know right from wrong or truth from lie. Neither ignorance or heartlessness are badges Christians should proudly wear. One author I read said he spoke with a man after church, saying that he desired to learn nothing at church. I have heard people say they didn’t need theology to love God. This line of thinking is harmful to that person and all around them. It encourages stagnation and squanders spiritual growth. We are called to love God not only with our hearts, but also with our minds ()! Jesus is the embodiment of truth (. We are given a God breathed book that is filled with information to be known and believed. The moral of this message is simple don’t be a head on a stick and don’t be a headless chicken. Instead, seek to love God with your entire person: your mind, heart, and hands. One way we can facilitate such a love disciplining ourself to learn and another discipline that can help in this effort is the discipline of journaling. It is these two disciplines that we will discuss tonight.
Body
I. Journaling
Definition: A journal is a book in which a person writes down various things. As a Christian, a journal is a place where you can record the works and ways of God in your life.
A journal is a book in which a person writes down various things. As a Christian, a journal is a place where you can record the works and ways of God in your life.
An example: The Psalms
7 reasons to keep a journal
Journaling helps you in self-understanding and evaluation ()
Journaling helps you in meditation (; )
Journaling helps you in prayer
Expression of thoughts and feelings to the Lord ()
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Help in Expressing Thoughts and Feelings to the Lord
Lord’s Day, December 16, 1744. Was so overwhelmed with dejection that I knew not how to live. I longed for death exceedingly; my soul was sunk into deep waters and the floods were ready to drown me. I was so much oppressed that my soul was in a kind of horror. I could not keep my thoughts fixed in prayer for the space of one minute, without fluttering and distraction. It made me exceedingly ashamed that I did not live to God. I had no distressing doubt about my own state, but I would have cheerfully ventured (as far as I could possibly know) into eternity. While I was going to preach to the Indians, my soul was in anguish. I was so overborne with discouragement that I despaired of doing any good, and was driven to my wit’s end. I knew nothing what to say, nor what course to take.
Remembering the works of the Lord ()
Journaling helps you in creating and preserving a spiritual heritage (; )
Journaling helps you in clarifying and articulating thoughts and insights ()
Journaling helps you in monitoring goals and priorities ()
Journaling helps you to maintain the other Spiritual disciplines (; )
Suggestions for Journaling
Start when you are young
Record verses that stuck out to you in you Bible reading and impressions you got from them
Record major life events from a God-centered perspective
Keep a journal with you
Use prompts
Keep a journal with you
II. Learning
Learning
Definition: Learning is the intentional pursuit of the truth to under stand and apply it
Reasons for disciplined learning:
The word disciple means learning follower ()
Jesus pursued learning ()
Learning characterizes the wise person (; ; )
Learn to fulfill the greatest commandment (; )
Learn to grow in godliness ()
Learning mostly comes from discipline, not accident (; ; )
Ways to Learn
Listen to Bible teaching and Sermons
Plan meaningful dialogue with mature and knowledgable Christians
Prepare a list of questions and topics beforehand
Read good books and articles
Books
Bible Studies
Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms
Classics
Church History
Systematic, Biblical, Historical, and Practical Theology
Apologetics, Philosophy, and Logic
Christian Living
Articles
Founders Ministries
Monergism
1689 Federalism
Doctrine and Devotion
9 Marks
Challies
Just Thinking Me
CARM
Ligoneer
Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
Conclusion
There is a caricature of Christians in America. Christians are deemed by unbelievers to be ignorant, stupid, and oppressive. The problem is that this is partially true of Christian culture. If Christians read, they read feel good books that are filled with half truths or Christian novels that are entirely heretical. Christians we have rich intellectual and devotional heritage. We are to be lovers of truth and realize that the foundation of all our knowledge is the fact that God has spoken in His word and in His Son the incarnate Word. Jesus is the embodiment of truth and we are to love God not only with all our heart, but with all our mind. I plead with you to commit the rest of your life to the discipline of learning. Learning about God and how everything that exist relates to Him. Our Savior didn’t save us to be stupid or ignorant. He saved us to be Holy and like Him. Such holiness comes through knowledge that descends from the head to the heart. However, if nothing is in the head, what will descend to the heart? If you want book recommendation or would like to borrow one of my books just ask. If a group of you would like me to read and discuss a book with you, then I’d love to. Our God is someone worth learning about.