LEARNING
Learning is when God teaches you new revelation you didn’t know before.
Watch how Malarie connects with God through Learning!
What is Learning?
Through learning, you enter into God’s presence and you feel closest to Him when He shares His revelation with you.
The Greek word for "revelation" is apokálypsis, which literally means "to lift the veil." Like a bride at the altar looking at her bridegroom, she only sees in part until the bridegroom lifts the veil from her eyes, allowing her to look fully upon His face.
When we encounter God through learning, Jesus Himself lifts the veil by giving us revelation (insight) into His word and His thoughts. Every bit of revelation not only teaches us His ways but allows us to look more fully upon His face and know Him.
As you read through Scripture and something grabs your attention, don't mistake an invitation into learning as a distraction.
Instead, pull on the loose thread that the Lord has laid before you. He is inviting you down Holy rabbit trails!
When He is giving you insight on a topic that leads to another, follow where He is leading you! He is giving you access to something once hidden, allowing you to encounter Him in a new way.
Proverbs 25:2- "it is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
Parents understand what it's like to put toys away over and over again only for our children to joyfully pull them out every single time. It can be easy to get frustrated by that cycle but notice how children aren't frustrated that their toys are hidden over and over again. Instead, they take joy every time they find them.
It is the Father's pleasure to conceal things in His word because He takes delight in the joy we experience as we uncover it. Know that God created us to encounter Him through learning! As we seek out the mysteries of God, He desires to make them simple so we can encounter Him every step of the way.
You can connect with God through learning in everyday life as He teaches you through the examples around you.
Jesus often taught His disciples through trees, farming parables, and other various things, but know that those things are no substitute for His Word. Make sure to spend time in the word of God!
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Practical Tips for connecting with God through Learning
Revelations are mysteries made simple. Be aware of any resources you use that make simple things mysterious. True revelation will always be in unity with what the Bible is saying!
Don't forget as you are learning that the goal isn't to know more about God but to know Him more.
Look into the original context of Scripture through Greek and Hebrew translations, commentaries, and Biblical resources (BibleHub.com, BlueletterBible.org)
Be aware of how you learn best! You may learn best visually, audibly, kinetically moving, writing, etc. Many people who love learning also love to teach others because this is how it gets inside them. When you learn, share your encounters!
Keep learning!
Grow in How You Connect with God.
Encouragement
Lean into your daily encounters to know God and not just know about Him. When He teaches you and gives you understanding, He is giving you access to Himself.
As you are learning, ask God to show you things in a different way and receive His revelation about who He is and who you are. When God is teaching you, follow His leading. Don’t limit yourself to the Bible plan you are reading. If God is speaking to you, allow yourself to take extra time on a single word, phrase or portion of Scripture.
Part of connecting with God through learning is allowing space to go down the rabbit-trails He is leading you into through Scripture—there is revelation waiting for you as you follow His lead. The Holy Spirit is the best teacher, and He wants to reveal new things to you each time you sit down to listen.
Suggested Activities
Read the Bible through the lens of gaining understanding and knowledge of who God is and the way He relates to His people. This will help you connect to the heart of God as well as gain knowledge about Him.
Invest in biblical study. Use tools to help enhance your study and understanding of scripture such as commentaries, websites (BlueLetterBible.org or BibleHub.com), Logos software, etc.
Read books that give a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
Do a year-long in depth study of one topic.
Listen to podcasts and sermons from a wide array of communicators. Be sure to include those that challenge the way you think and believe.
Invite God into your curiosity!
Don’t be limited to studying Scripture or history, encounter God by learning from different resources.
Scripture
Genesis 2, Deuteronomy 33:10, 1 Kings 4:29-34, Pslam 49, Proverbs, Zechariah 4, John 8, 2 Timothy 2:15
Books
The Enduring Word Commentary by David Guzik
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren
Spirit filled Bible by Jack Hayford
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by Douglas Steward
Understand the Bible in 30 Days by Max Anders
Knowing Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman
Mix It Up
Learning how we connect with God shows us how we can enter into His presence daily. While you may best connect with God through one or a few ways, remember that you can connect with God in all the ways! Use this guide below to help you grow in connecting with God through Adoration by pairing it with your favorite way.
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While you are connecting with God through fasting, spend intentional time adoring God through worship. He rewards those who seek Him! While you are withholding from worldly satisfaction, lavishly supply God with worship and adoration. Posture your heart to receive from the Lord as you engage in your fast. God wants to give you an abundance as you deny your flesh!
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
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When you are reading the Bible, take time to sing and place melodies behind what you are reading. It doesn’t have to be for anyone because it is between you and the Lord. Turn on instrumental music and allow Holy Spirit to fill the space. Let Him give you the words to say and the melodies to release. He is the author of your faith, so let Him author your thoughts and meditate on who He is!
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Sing songs about the wonders of creation to our Creator. When having your daily encounters outside, take time to meditate on the awe of God’s creation. Your awe will minister to His heart! Listen to the sound of the wind blowing through the trees, the sounds of the creatures around you, the sounds of rushing water and ask yourself, “How are they singing to the Lord?” Join in with their chorus and worship Him!
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Take time throughout your day to minister to God’s heart through your movement. In the midst of moving from place to place, keep your heart bent towards Him. Sing in the Spirit, sing a spontaneous song, or express to Him how you love Him. Ponder on the attributes of God that you love when you are moving.
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As you connect with God through adoration, create a new song, a new painting, or a new writing for Him. Write a letter expressing your thankfulness and adoration to God. Turn on instrumental worship music and create your art based on the thoughts that flood your mind. In the midst of those melodies, let the Holy Spirit guide your hand. He is the Ultimate Creator, so let Him author creation through you!
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Sing in the Holy Spirit. When you are singing in the Spirit, ask God what questions you should ask Him. In your daily encounters, ask God, “Father, what can I do to please you today?” When you hear Him, respond and ask Him to teach you. Leave space for the Lord to speak back to you in worship. He desires to speak to you as you engage in Adoration!
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When you are alone with God, you can come to Him in full vulnerability and authenticity. In solitude, worship God from a completely exposed state. Then, sing to Him! It doesn’t matter what you sound like because it is just between you and the Lord. Your authentic worship moves His heart. Take time to let melodies and songs usher you into deeper intimacy with God. Write down what He says to you in those moments. That is His love song to you!
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As you connect with God through learning, take extended time to connect with God through Adoration. Study the Levites. Worship will bring new perspective on the revelation God is showing you through His Word! Engage your mind as you sing to the Lord. What scriptures come to mind as you sing certain lyrics? What biblical stories are the songwriters pointing you back to? Remember, we worship in spirit and truth. It is not real worship to God if it isn’t done with His truth!
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Connect with God through Adoration by worshiping God as the Perfect Judge. He is the author of heavenly justice. Ask God to reveal a new facet of His righteous character to you. Before interceding, spend time worshiping God for who He is. He is holy and righteous. Sing this to Him! Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and praise. This is how your requests are made known.
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Adoration is a lifestyle. When you are serving the least of these, keep worship unto God in your heart. Before you can minister to others, you need to first receive from Him. We love because he first loved us! What is His love song to you? Ask Him. Take time to receive love from the Father, so you can pour that love back out to God by serving others.
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Take time to look back on all that God has done in your life and thank Him for it. This is an act of worship! Let these memories put meaning behind the words you sing. When you sing of His worthiness, think back on how He has shown Himself worthy. When you sing of His goodness, think back on how He has been good to you. When you sing about freedom, think back on how He has set you and others around you free! Let cadence and melodies usher you into remembrance. As you worship, your thoughts will testify to the faithfulness of God!
Don’t know how you best Connect with God?
The Connect With God assessment will ask you simple questions to help you determine some of your top Connect With God Ways!