Learning Rarely Changes

From the moment of birth to our passing on, learning rarely changes.

Babies are notorious for testing things out by sticking them in their mouth because at that age everything is learned about and discovered by placing in their mouth. The good things didn't taste bad and the bad things did. The good things didn't hurt and the bad things did.

Toddlers then begin to discover and journey through life judging good and bad by pain. If something hurts, then they probably shouldn't try that again. If it doesn't hurt than it was safe and therefore should definitely be re-done.

Little Kids then begin to do a combo of; pain and/or discipline to tell them if something is good or bad. If they get yelled at then its probably not a smart idea but they are usually willing to try again later when that person is not looking.

Tweens and Teens begin to then discover the good and bad of life based around pain both physically and this weird new thing called emotional pain. If it hurts physically its not a good idea (they learned that years ago) but now if it hurts on the inside it is terrible and is even worse than the pain on the outside.

And this is where a Parents/Leaders/Youth Pastors and others come in, we can and should help teenagers to discover life in spite and in the midst of pain whether it be emotional or physical pain. We need to help them navigate the torrents of life to avoid the most pain but to realize sometimes pain happens. To discover Jesus who bore ultimate pain so we could have life. Teenagers will almost always revert back to trying things out on their own rather than listen to advice, its almost as if they trust their own experiences the most.

Thus, I believe that learning rarely changes, we often go through our whole life doing trial and error. Teenagers are still doing this method and often I find myself doing this method. I look up to the older generation and while they have it almost figured out they are still doing many things based on trial and error.

There is a lot to learn in just a few short years of life as a teenager and often it is learned through trial and error. But one thing I learned as a teenager and I hope to share with my teens is that Jesus loves you in spite of the errors! He loves you regardless and wants a relationship with you that will withstand time! I learned pain comes and goes and the only source of unlimited strength is in Jesus!

Hallelujah!

Mark