Teaching: Head or Heart

 

IIntellect vs. In tuition

The Bible tells us that “your treasure is where your heart is”!  It does not say that “your treasure is in your intellect”, yet the Church has chosen to take intellect and reason over intuition and faith.

David was known as “a man of God’s heart”, while Solomon was known for his “wisdom”, not necessarily for his intellect.  I have known many men who were not intellectual but very “wise” men.

Mark and Patti Virkler created the Communion With God Ministries to teach the “lamad” of learning. On their web page www.cwgministries.org/The-Lamad-Method-of-Learning.htm Virkler explain the Lamad Method:

“The Hebrew language uses one root (lamad) for the two words "to teach" and "to learn." In the Hebrew culture, the teacher has not taught unless the student has learned. All learning and teaching is ultimately to be found in the fear of the Lord. The goal of teaching is not the impartation of facts but the changing of lives. For the Hebrew, knowledge (yadah) involves personal encounter and response to God’s revelation.

In the lamad method of learning, we are returning to the Hebraic concept of education, including this personal encounter and revelation. The classroom becomes a place of impassioned discussion and the sharing of real life experience. It is a place where we meet God and share in the life experiences of others. It is a place where we practice truth. The classroom is not separated from life but is actually part of our lives.”

Jesus never founded an university, seminary, or Bible college.  He never inferred degrees upon anyone.  He just walked with the twelve ordinary men and others while building relationships and changing lives.  Instead of facts, He taught faith.  Instead of building an entourage of educators to expound data, He promised the Holy Spirit to come and be the teacher to all believers.

We will examine teaching and learning from the Western perspective and from the Jewish Lamad method.  I too hope too also experience personal encounter with the rear of the Lord and respond to God’s revelation resulting in change.  This journey could be another change in mindset, this time for the teacher.