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Mr. Joshua Lyons: Twelve Practical Financial Principles

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Joshua Lyons, a pastor serving in the Upper Midwest area of the United States, began a recent forum message by asking the Living Education students a question: “Do you like money?” While for most of us the answer is “yes,” Mr. Lyons—previously serving as the Assistant Financial Controller for the Church—pointed out a sobering fact: few people actually have a grounded understanding of how to handle their finances.

Having a good handle on your personal finances is one of the most important skills you can learn in life—and there are many who never learn it. Further, most ignore important biblical principles that contribute to financial stability, such as tithing and giving offerings. Mr. Lyons stressed that while having practical financial literacy is important, there are godly principles that can be applied to handling our money. His forum message covered 12 practical financial principles:

  1. Have at Least $1,000 in an Emergency Fund

Making sure you have some spare money in savings is critical. Emergencies can happen at any time, and having an emergency fund that you not only never touch, but continuously contribute to, is fundamentally important.

  1. Intentionally Build and Maintain a Good Credit Score

While it’s easy for some to view credit cards as an easy way out—or, conversely, the greatest evil ever conceived—carefully building good credit is very important and beneficial. This takes both discipline and intentionality—avoiding credit card debt by promptly paying it off helps build a good credit score, and helps earn benefits.

  1. Buy Things Used

Buying name-brand items and expensive retail products can be tempting, but the obvious problem is that we tend to spend more than we should. We can avoid going into debt over high prices by thrifting. Buying used furniture, clothes, and other items is an intelligent way to get what you want/need without unnecessary overspending.

  1. Keep a Personal Balance Sheet

Mr. Lyons advised the students to run their personal finances like a business. Carefully track your expenses, cash flow, and liabilities. Making sure we know where our money is going is critical to having a firm handle on our own money. Developing your own method for tracking finances will be extremely helpful later on. 

  1. Avoid Credit Card Debt

While it’s easy to hear, it’s harder to put into practice. Credit card debt can be a dangerous black hole that sucks the money right out of our wallets. While building credit can be helpful, if we recklessly spend money we don’t have, we incur unnecessary and dangerous debt. We should be vigilant of our credit card usage, and have the discipline and foresight to avoid debt. 

  1. Never Invest in Anything You Don’t Understand

If you don’t know what you’re getting into, you shouldn’t do it. There are all kinds of places to invest your money, but we should apply discernment before we put our money into something. Investments can be an important way to help build wealth, and it’s important to understand exactly what we’re getting ourselves into.

  1. Never Gamble.

Gambling can be a temptation for many seeking an easy way to get rich quickly. But not only is it risky and irresponsible, it is also a serious issue laden with spiritual implications. The money we have is given to us by God, and we have a responsibility to take care of it in a responsible, godly way. On this point, Mr. Lyons referenced a relevant sermon by Mr. Jonathan McNair on this very issue.

  1. Make Sure Your Biggest Decisions are Good Ones

Small purchases here and there might not destroy your bank account, but the bigger ones can have heavy implications. We should think through our biggest purchases first before making a decision. It’s important to consider the implications of our choices and whether those decisions will impact us later. If we’re going to make a big financial decision, we should be sure that it’s a good one.

  1. Choose a Good Career & Get a Good Job

Connected to the previous point, one major decision that we make is our choice of career. While there are many factors that go into that decision, one should certainly be the financial considerations. We want to be able to take care of our families and have a solid hold on our money. Particularly for young people who have not yet decided, making educated decisions about your career is a critical element of long-term financial success.

  1.  Always Spend Less Money Than You Make

While it may be easier said than done, this point takes a great deal of discipline and intentionality. If we spend more than what we make, we’re putting ourselves in a serious financial situation that can be hard to escape from. Making sure we live within our means is a critical way to maintain financial stability.

  1.  Make Your Money Work For You

Making solid investment choices can be hugely beneficial to our financial stability. It’s important to be educated on investment opportunities, side hustles, and other ways to make our money make more money. Your assets can earn you even more money if you know how to wield it properly.

  1.  Spend Time Educating Yourself on Personal Finances

As with all things, becoming competent with your personal finances takes time. Becoming financially literate is a long-term investment that will pay off as we build stability in our lives. We should put forth the effort to educate ourselves and live responsibly as we put good habits to practice.

Understanding how to handle money is more than a practical skill—it is an essential aspect of our lives, and we must ensure that we have a disciplined approach to our personal finances. The financial blessings we enjoy are gifts from God, and He lets us learn to take care of what ultimately is His money. With this in mind, it’s important to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, learn to practice discipline, and build good personal financial habits.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Wallace Smith: Establishing Pillars

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

In a recent forum message, Mr. Wallace Smith reminded the Living Education students of the important opportunity that they have during the course of the program. While the Living Education-Charlotte program offers many opportunities to learn, grow, and have new experiences, Mr. Smith encouraged the students to use this time as an opportunity to deeply reflect on the foundational pillars of their worldview.

Belief

Everyone has beliefs that shape their worldview. Even small, unimportant opinions are supported by larger, foundational beliefs that make up the core structure of our perception of reality. We look at the world through the lens of those beliefs, and everyone has a different worldview as a result.

In our Christian journey, the beliefs that we hold in the context of our faith are often supported by a set of more specific, core beliefs—beliefs that frame the very foundation of our understanding of reality. The exact nature of those beliefs may vary to each of us, but no one can deny their importance to our worldview and our lives. 

What Should Our Beliefs Be?

While we believe the Bible and what it says, the things that we believe about it really stem from more specific truths—i.e., while we believe that pork is unclean, there are several truths that come before that point that are important for us to internalize.

Mr. Smith took the time to share his personal set of three core beliefs that framed his worldview, establishing the foundation for everything else:

  1. God Is Real 

The reality of God’s existence is a fundamental point for us to understand and internalize. Mr. Smith referenced Romans 1:20, stating: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” If we don’t first make God’s existence a core aspect of our fundamental belief system, we compromise the integrity of our overall worldview and its stability.

  1. Jesus Christ is the Son of God

If the Man who walked the earth 2,000 years ago preaching the Gospel was not really God’s Son, then an important aspect of God’s plan is missing. We must understand that Jesus was the Son of God and that His death covers our sins. Mr. Smith quoted 1 Corinthians 15:12-18: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? …If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile.”

  1. The Bible is God’s Word

The final of Mr. Smith’s proposed pillars is the validity of the Bible. We must recognize its authority and importance, and remember that what it says has been divinely inspired by God. As John 17:17 states, “Your [God’s] word is truth.”

Establish Your Pillars!

It’s important for us to evaluate our priorities and make sure that we have an accurate perception of reality—one that is grounded in the truth revealed in God’s word. As we continue to learn and develop as Christians, it’s critical for us to make sure our worldview aligns with what God has ordained by His will. As students of Living Education have the opportunity to evaluate their personal beliefs and develop a more well-rounded worldview, we all have the responsibility to establish a strong, biblically-grounded worldview that is focused on God.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mrs. Christy McNair: Note Taking

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

In a recent forum, Mrs. Christy McNair began by asking the Living Education students a question: how do you take notes? It should come as no surprise that note taking is an important aspect of learning, and Mrs. McNair’s forum offered sound principles of effective note taking.

The Problem With Notes

Taking notes may seem straightforward, but the quality of our personal notes can easily be affected by distractions, lack of engagement in what we’re hearing, and our own lack of organizational prowess. The problem is all too common: passive listening leads to disorganized, poorly written notes that don’t actually benefit us later on.

The Cornell Method

Mrs. McNair introduced the students to the Cornell Method of taking notes. This style of note taking is used to neatly organize information for handy reference and help reinforce active listening, rather than passive—allowing us to more easily remember what we’ve learned. 

Consisting of a left-hand column—in which you put your key points and cues—a right-hand column—in which you put important points relating to your cues—and a bottom section summarizing what you’ve learned, this method simplifies the randomized, chaotic notes that many tend to create out of habit.

This method is particularly effective when used with other principles in mind. Mrs. McNair stressed that it’s important to not try and write down every word: pick out the main points, and use the Cornell Method to organize what you’re hearing. 

Reread Your Notes

One other important piece of advice that Mrs. McNair related was to go back over your notes within the next 24 hours. Even a short ten minutes going over the material can greatly add to your understanding of the topic and help you remember it for longer. 

The Cornell Method and the other principles Mrs. McNair shared with the students are important lessons, not only for taking notes but for becoming a more effective student and learner. Our efforts to be a disciplined, resourceful, and successful student of whatever we’re taking on requires careful planning, active listening, and an organized mind.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Jonathan McNair: How to Get Smart

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

As the brand new Living Education school year takes off, building effective study habits is important for each of the students. In this latest forum, Mr. Jonathan McNair introduced the students to several study habits to better equip them for success, both during the school year and throughout their lives.

Marty Lobdell: Study Less, Study Smart

Mr. McNair began by playing a video by Marty Lobdell, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Pierce University. In the video, Professor Lobdell gave sound principles of effective study habits based on years of teaching expertise, as well as examples from his own time as a student. 

Many students who trudge through studying for hours don’t actually learn anything of value. “Things that are reinforced, we tend to do more of,” he said. Professor Lobdell’s study method emphasizes prioritizing time and maintaining focus. In his time teaching, he noticed that it only takes about 20-30 minutes for a student to lose focus while studying—once you begin to lose focus on what you’re reading, stop and take a 5-minute break before coming back to it. This way, you maximize your focus and are able to train yourself to focus for longer. 

Professor Lobdell also encourages his students to eliminate distractions around them. If you’re studying in the bedroom, the temptation is to lie down in bed—if you’re studying in the kitchen, the temptation is to make food. Having a designated study spot and staying disciplined in the face of distractions makes a huge impact on your study habits. It especially impacts our ability to understand the difference between facts and concepts—a distinction that is crucial to our comprehension of the material to which we are exposed. Professor Lobdell noted aptly, “If it doesn’t change your behavior, you haven’t learned it.”

Dr. Andrew Huberman: The Top Study Habits to Improve Learning

In another video, Dr. Andrew Huberman discussed a survey of students that examined habits of successful students. These habits are an important example that can be incorporated into our own approach to studying.

Successful students designate time to study without distractions. Similar to Professor Lobdell’s advice, students who establish disciplined habits and remove distracting stimuli have an easier time focusing. Successful students also make the habit of teaching other peers. A good rule of thumb is to watch someone do it, do it yourself, and teach it—watch one, do one, teach one.

Dr. Huberman stressed that focus and attention are finite resources, but they’re also renewable. Even with a strain on our focus, we can build our resistance to outside distractions and renew what we’ve used up. Regularity and consistence are key—we need to have a good handle on our priorities and schedule. Dr. Huberman also emphasized motivation—the highest-performing students not only enjoy what they do, they have a long-term vision and the drive to fulfill it. If you love what you do, you have a strong advantage.

Being Smarter Students

Whether we’re still in school or past that stage of life, the reality is that we learn every day. We are called to be students of God’s word, and as such, we have a responsibility to take ownership of our learning. While these habits are especially geared toward students, these principles apply to all of us as we take the time to become more effective learners.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Adam West: Pillars of a Productive Work Ethic

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Adam West, a pastor in the Work of God, currently serves as Office Manager for the Living Church of God headquarters facilities. With many years of professional experience behind him, Mr. West recently addressed this year’s Living Education students on principles of building a productive work ethic.

Engagement Drives Performance

Mr. West referenced a Gallup poll on disengagement in the workplace, revealing a startling 85% of employees are not engaged in their work. Being actively engaged is a critical element of a strong work ethic and success in the workplace—and disengagement from one’s work is a dangerous threat to productivity. 

“What about us?” Mr. West inquired. For those of us seeking to follow God’s way, we should strive to make sure we are engaged not only in our work, but in our calling. Mr. West reminded the students that engagement drives performance—and in order for it to drive us, it must be coupled with a strong work ethic.

Five Pillars

“Have you ever had a job you didn’t want to do?” Mr. West asked. While we could give any number of answers based on personal experience, it is important to remember that our attitude while doing a job is deeply important. We should strive not only to do the things that need to be done, but to find something to enjoy about it. Mr. West also reminded the students that we are all answerable to someone—and we are all ultimately answerable to Christ for our work ethic. Continuing, Mr. West shared five pillars of building a productive work ethic.

Pillar 1: Purpose

Finding a purpose for your work—a “why”—is critical. Having the proper motivation means we will be driven to achieve greater results, and will allow us to be more effectively engaged in what we do. This also applies to more than just our professional lives—it applies to our spiritual lives as well. We need to align our personal goals with our spiritual ones, and to have a proper perspective on why we do what we do in life.

Pillar 2: Diligence

Mr. West encouraged the students to take initiative and exemplify diligence. Reading from Proverbs 6:6-8, he stated: “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” Our initiative and willingness to go the extra mile elevates the quality of our work, and helps us achieve greater results.

Pillar 3: Responsibility

As both workers and as Christians, we are always accountable to someone—and we are ultimately accountable before God. Keeping this in mind is important, and we should bear in mind the principle found in Luke 16:10: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” When we are receptive to correction and bear responsibility well, we shine before those whom we serve.

Pillar 4: Excellence

Applying excellence is another deeply important component of being a good worker and a good Christian. We should strive to apply excellence and quality to everything we are given to do. Being good stewards of what we’ve been given shows character, integrity, and honor.

Pillar 5: Endurance

Mr. West emphasized the importance of endurance and growth. We should constantly be maintaining our energy and effort, and looking for ways to grow. We should also expand this mindset into seeking to help others grow—this, Mr. West reminded the students, is the definition of altruism. The process by which we achieve our results does matter, and we should make sure we maintain our level of endurance.

Take a Craftsman’s Approach

Mr. West offered principles that not only foster engagement and help develop a stronger work ethic, but also have a dual application to our spiritual life. Our Christian walk requires both our engagement and our constant effort. Mr. West encouraged the students to take a “craftsman’s approach” to our work—applying care, effort, and love to the work we’ve been given to do.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Mike DeSimone: Switchtasking

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Michael DeSimone serves as Manager of Broadcast and Digital Media for the Church. In his experience overseeing the telecast and other media productions, success relies heavily on a structured, organized approach to the work at hand. But our success is often inhibited by poor habits, including one that is all too common today: multitasking.

The Myth of Multitasking

Mr. DeSimone explained that while common, the term “multitasking” is actually a misnomer. The habit of multitasking can be more accurately described as “switchtasking.” While it is easy to think of multitasking as the act of working on multiple tasks simultaneously, what is really occurring is a series of micro “switches” between tasks in your brain. While it can be tempting, and even easy, switchtasking has several long-term negative effects on the brain and can actually inhibit productivity. Switching between tasks diverts attention, breaks focus, and makes it difficult to prioritize or make efficient progress.

Lean

Mr. DeSimone shared the principles of Lean—an approach to business that incorporates 5 S’s: Sort; Set in Order; Shine; Standardize; and Sustain. Each of these principles is part of an organized, systematic approach to work tasks. In order to achieve optimal results, sorting has to be the first step. There may be all kinds of distracting, unnecessary clutter in the way that needs to be removed. Next, things should be set in order—arranged in a way that works. Shine refers to keeping everything clean and orderly. Standardizing involves the ideal state resulting from these steps, while sustaining refers to maintaining it.

Building Conscious Habits

These principles of systematic organization can be applied to many aspects of our lives. We come across information daily, and we take on numerous responsibilities at work and at home. Managing our approach to the information we take in is critical to personal and professional success, especially as we grow in our Christian walk. Mr. DeSimone’s message served as a reminder to consciously maintain healthy and intentional habits, and to avoid the myth of multitasking.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Mario Hernandez: Put it Into Practice

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Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

In the first forum of the 2025-26 school year, Mr. Mario Hernandez—an evangelist overseeing the Work in Spanish—congratulated this year’s class on their decision to come to Living Education. Mr. Hernandez recalled the history of the Church’s educational institutions, and reminded the students of an important point: the knowledge gained through Living Education must be applied.

Knowledge is Not Enough

Mr. Hernandez’s admonition is not a new one. He referenced Deuteronomy 4:5-6, stating: “I have taught you statutes and judgments… therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

God links application of instruction with wisdom. We develop wisdom by taking what we’ve learned and actively applying it to our daily lives. Instruction and learning are important—but if we neglect putting what we’ve learned into practice, we strip everything we’ve learned of its value. The instruction that students receive through Living Education can be of lasting benefit for their futures—but only if it is put into practice. 

Be Diligent!

Mr. Hernandez stressed that these principles can be applied at any age. God has chosen us to be firstfruits in His Kingdom—a role we should not take lightly. He can begin working with us at any age, at the time of His choosing. We are never too young or too old to apply the principles we’ve been given. We have a responsibility to do so, passing on the benefit we’ve been given to others. He mentioned Luke 12:48, stating that “To whom much is given, from him much will be required.”

Mr. Hernandez reminded the students that we don’t need to wait to apply these principles. We must be diligent both to seek knowledge and to apply it in our lives—and the best time to start is now.

The Importance of Prayer

One important aspect of successfully applying godly principles to our Christian walk is prayer. Mr. Hernandez admonished the students to keep up with prayer and study. If we neglect our relationship with God, we can become distant from Him. Distance from God results in spiritual weakness, a warning that Mr. Hernandez shared with firmness.

This world is filled with distractions, violence, promiscuity, and perversion. In the face of such ever-present challenges, we cannot compromise or allow our character to be eroded.. We must put in the effort to call on God, asking for His help to put His principles into practice. If we maintain a strong, faithful connection with our heavenly Father, we will be able to overcome and enter God’s Kingdom.

Use What You Have Been Given

Mr. Hernandez reminded the students that they have been given a rare and wonderful opportunity. The next nine months will be a time of intense learning and instruction—and each day will bring new opportunities to apply principles learned to daily life. All of us are students of God’s way of life, learning and growing, and we have a responsibility to not only learn, but find ways to use the gifts that we have been given by God.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Mr. Bill Long: True Repentance

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Author: Caleb Loy | Living Education 2024-2025

With Passover and the spring Holy Day season just behind us, Mr. Bill Long recently presented four important takeaways from Psalm 51 on true repentance. As we get back into the swing of things after the Holy Day break, we appreciate Mr. Long’s message reflecting on the season’s meaning.

Mr. Long started by reminding us that repentance is not simply being sorry, but truly changing our lives. He described it as having two different parts: First, the person has to change in mind and heart, and second, they must demonstrate it through actions that bear good fruit. When going before God to ask for forgiveness of sins, they can come out feeling guilty.  Mr. Long said God grants us joy after we come before Him in true repentance. If we follow David’s steps in Psalm 51, we can better express ourselves before Him and receive His forgiveness. 

The first key from Psalm 51 is to start the prayer by appealing to the love and mercy of God. David was referred to as a man after God’s own heart, yet we read that he broke nearly all the commandments throughout his life. Mr. Long clarified that 3 of the four keys for true repentance are relatively simple and painless to incorporate, but the second is one that people often have difficulty admitting. Be brutally honest in the confession of sin. King David writes that it is before God that he sins. We must remember that with each of our sins, Christ is put to death on our account. He brought out how David used three different words in Hebrew while discussing sin. Transgression means rebellion against God’s authority and the law, iniquity means distortion of what is true, and sin is missing the mark. 2 Corinthians shows us that God expects us to have sorrow that leads to repentance. The third factor is to plead for the effects of God’s mercy. After experiencing the great remorse for our sins, we can fall into a pit of despair, but it is through God’s mercy that we can experience joy. True joy can only come from God, and He promises it to His people, and we simply need to claim His promise, as Mr. Ames often reminded us. The final fourth key is asking for a humble, happy resolve. In Psalms 51, King David was already praising God’s name before he ended his prayer; we should follow that example.

As Mr. Long drew to a close, he urged us to remember that repentance is an ongoing process. Until we are spirit beings in the Kingdom of God, we must face the pulls and struggles of the human spirit and carnality. We were very grateful for the reminder after the Holy Days to continue this way of life. We understand that we will sometimes fall, yet we need to continue rising back up and growing closer and more like Christ and God the Father. We know it will not be easy, but we are all grateful for the lessons to help us fight the good fight.

Ms. Debbie Dillion: Composting

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Author: Caleb Loy | Living Education 2024-2025

Debbie Dillion, from the NC Cooperative Extension office in Union County, came and spoke to the Living-Ed students for a Thursday forum this month. They received an informative lesson on the benefits of composting and instructions on making a functional compost system for their homes one day. Union County, NC, provided this opportunity thanks to the outreach program they offer to the local community.  The Living-Ed students are often given these opportunities to broaden their understanding and learn from different people in their weekly forums and regular field trips. 

Ms. Dillion works for the Union County office’s Agriculture and Natural Resources department. She began by explaining the Union County outreach program and how it works. Most counties in the U.S. have a program like this. She explained that she worked for the Fairfax County outreach program in Virginia before moving to North Carolina. She described the organization’s goals as bringing unbiased research based on science. 

Ms. Dillion focused on educating the students about the benefits of composting. It is an excellent form of recycling that can be done for the environment while still offering immense nutrients to plants. She transitioned to the process required to develop compost at home. She offered the students hope by informing them that composting is possible to a degree while still living together in dorms. Too many people are frightened by the idea of taking the leap and failing, but Ms. Dillion brought encouragement and boosted the student’s confidence in their abilities.

She went into more detail on the different techniques and tools for making compost. Showing examples of bin composting versus tumbler composting and warning them of a common misconception about using a tumbler composter. It is meant to be a single batch, meaning they add once, wait until the compost is made, remove it, and then start the process again. 

The students come from a wide range of backgrounds, and they are all grateful to hear from a local speaker on a topic to which they may not have been previously exposed. The new knowledge they gained on composting can be applied in their current situation at the dorms and in the future. The students left the forum with a greater appreciation for the art of composting and more of a drive to work and make their own.

Mr. Chet Carpenter: Stages of a Lifelong Learner in Christ

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Author: Katelyn Wissinger| Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2025-26

The Bible relates many character traits of both the Father and Jesus Christ. These traits will become part of our character as we seek to follow Christ’s example and be more like Him. In a recent forum, Mr. Chet Carpenter expounded upon a specific character trait that the Father and the Son share: learning. He coupled this with teaching us the four pillars of becoming lifelong learners.

Mr. Carpenter pointed out that we should be lifelong learners in Christ. He used four pillars for learning: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to be. These four points were developed by Dr. Zhou Nanzhao, who had an extensive career in pursuing and administering education. While Mr. Carpenter used these as the basis for his forum, he pointed out that many of the world’s ‘wisest’ people and lifelong learners attain knowledge and education from worldly sources and their own experiences. While they may find kernels of fundamental knowledge and truth, they are not starting with the true source of knowledge and wisdom, God’s word, which is the Bible (2 Corinthians 3:17). 

To be lifelong learners, we need to learn to know. We must have a desire to seek knowledge and continue learning. Ecclesiastes 12:7-14 showed King Solomon’s desire to seek as much knowledge as he could, and he eventually concluded that God’s word is the foundation of knowledge. Our desire to learn applies not just to the physical but to the spiritual. We should seek to grow in understanding of the Truth, allowing us to grow as Christians.

The second pillar Mr. Carpenter mentioned was learning to do. Once we know something, we need to act on it. In God’s future kingdom, we’ll apply everything we’ve learned in our lifetime. Hebrews 5:14 explains how knowledge should be applied. We must do this to see results.

Once we apply our knowledge, the next stage is learning to live together. Meaning, learn to build others up. “Apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,” in the Church are an example of this, according to Ephesians 4:10-12. We can use the Holy Spirit in us to help “iron sharpen iron” (Prov 27:17). 

The final stage is learning to be. We are to be children of God (1 John 3:1), and in God’s future kingdom, we will be the product of what we learned in this life. The Bible shows us that we are to be like Christ, obedient and holy.

Mr. Carpenter provided us with an insightful forum on how we can become lifelong learners and how this is necessary for our physical and, most importantly, our spiritual lives. Christ must be our foundation on which we place these four pillars of learning.