Learn from One Another

I spend a lot of time with teenagers. I have taught middle school and high school for almost six years, and I have experienced the teen years with my own children. And, yes, while my kids and my students do sometimes fulfill the stereotypes assigned to teens, they are more than that. They have deep thoughts and concerns and can articulate these thoughts and concerns well. They don’t shy away from difficult topics, and they can provide deep insights and new perspectives on old ideas. They have the ability to have discussions about serious problems and controversies, and they try to learn from them.

This is something we should all do: learn from those around us.

Learning from People of All Ages

We should always be learning. Being out of school does not give us an excuse to never learn anything new. I am a firm believer that we should be lifelong learners. We should always strive to deepen our perspectives. One way we can learn is through mentoring one another. Like Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “Iron sharpens iron, as one person sharpens another” (CSB). We don’t have to search out an “official” mentoring relationship. We can learn so much from those around us when we build real relationships in which we help others grow, and vice versa.

If you simply look around, you will probably find loads of opportunities for learning from women both younger and older than you. The older generations have so much wisdom to share from their own life experiences, but we also can learn from those younger than we. I have found in my work (and home life) with teenagers that they will really make you think.

Learning from Those with Whom You Disagree

In a similar vein, we can learn from those with whom we disagree. Maybe they will change your mind, or maybe you will change theirs. Or maybe neither will happen. But if we engage in quality conversations, we can always learn something. At the very least, every rational discussion is an opportunity to explore your own beliefs. To help you understand what you believe and why. To dig deeper into your viewpoint and defend it with ideas, not just sound bites and clichés. I don’t think Christians should shy away from controversial topics; however, we need to make sure we are guarding our tongues—that what we are offering to the conversation is constructive and not destructive. We should follow what the Bible tells us: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person” (Colossians 4:6 CSB).

I love salt. I season all my food with a little extra salt. But too much salt or salt used incorrectly can ruin a dish. Likewise, we should make sure we are seasoning our words correctly. Learning opportunities are lost when things get too salty.

Look Around You

Who in your life can provide you with an opportunity to learn? Probably almost everyone, if and when you take the time to listen and engage. There has been lots of joking on the internet about the generations hating each other. I have even found myself saying the dreaded words, “When I was your age . . . ” occasionally. People seem to be combative and ready to argue with those who are older or younger than they are. This is wrong. We are missing out on a treasure trove of wisdom when we dismiss the viewpoints of others just because of generational differences.

Christ Is Our Filter

The filter through which we view lives shouldn’t solely be generational, political, regional, or whatever—our ultimate filter should be the Lord. Yes, we are human. We will never be fully on the same page with each other, and that is okay. We all have different personalities and experiences; however, our main goal as Christians should be the same: to glorify the Lord. When we respect the wise among us, and when we season our words well, we are doing just that.

Let’s look for opportunities engage with each other earnestly and to learn from each other, and may our interactions be glorifying to the Lord.

[Tweet “Let’s look for opportunities engage with each other earnestly and to learn from each other, and may our interactions be glorifying to the Lord.”]

Dana Herndon is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddle board, and sometimes run. She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.

Photograph © Perry Grone, used with permission