Learning Styles

(Proverbs 21:11 KJV)  When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

One of the silly statements in education is “Every child can learn every day.”  The goal is not silly.  The silliness is in thinking it is profound in itself.  For many children it is learning the same thing over and over again with no progress.  For some it is learning things that have no use.  This verse in proverbs talks about learning and give us three styles of learning:  Pain, fear and listening.

A “scorner" (scoffer NASB) (3917b) only learns through pain.  The “simple" (naive NASB) (6612a) only learn through fear, by observing the pain of others.  Then we have the “wise” (2449).  We all consider ourselves in this group because we don’t think of ourselves in the other two.  We know we are in this group if we are listening.  The listener “receives” (3947) what God has to offer.

So?  Take your pick.  Pain, fear or listening.  God is striving to communicate.  He is trying to reach each of us.  Pick your style.