Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "learning". We find it in three different places in the New Testament with three different Greek words. The first is found in Acts 26:23-25:

Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. KJV

This is the Greek word "gramma". Strong's Concordance says: a writing, letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: that which has been written, a document or record. A letter, an epistle, the sacred writings. The second is found in Romans 15:4:

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. KJV

This is the Greek word "didaskalia". Strong's Concordance says: instruction. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: teaching, instruction, that which is taught, doctrine. The Theological Dictionary says: in the early church the word comes to mean the "sum of teaching" which has come down from the apostles. The third is found in 2 Timothy 3:7:

2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. KJV

This is the Greek word "manthano". Strong's Concordance says: to learn in any way. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to learn, be aprised, to increase one's knowledge, be informed, to learn by use and practice, to be in the habit of, accustomed to. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to learn by inquiry or observation, (so applying the knowledge as to walk differently from the rest.)

When it comes to the born again believer, there are different aspects of learning. We are all triune beings. We are spirits beings, we have souls (minds, emotions and wills) and we live, while on the earth, in physical bodies. We have the written Word of God which we can read, memorize, meditate on and put into practice. The born again believer has the added advantage of having our own personal Teacher in the Spirit of God Who lives IN us! When WE meditate on the Word, especially when we pray Psalm 25:5:

5 Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long. AMP

HE will teach us what the Word means to each of us, individually and uniquely, and how to act on it in our own lives. Many believers, who do have Holy Spirit in them, don't take advantage of their right and ability to make the Word come alive to them. One of my favorite portions of Scripture is  John 8:31-32:

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The "learning" that JESUS wants for us is that! Learning to KNOW so that we can BE free and STAY free! My prayer for you and your family is that the Word of God will become even more real to you throughout this next year than it ever has before! TRUE freedom in every area will be the result! Here are Hillsong Kids with "Ask, Seek Knock":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!