Living As A Lead Learner
The hour passed and I filed the spiral bound book away, entitled Latin, with swelling pride in my heart that I just completed yet another lesson, and at the same time, checked off another box on the list of what I “never thought I would do”.
This summer, the majority of my days will be spent preparing to teach an 8th grade curriculum at our local co-op in the Fall. It is a humble undertaking as I realize in no way, do I actually feel equipped to do this on my own. It will take the discipline of putting pen to paper, reading each line of a growing stack of books to gain more knowledge on subjects long forgotten (or never learned) like Latin, Logic, Chemistry and Debate to name a few. I will attend training, watch videos and take it one day at a time with an immense amount of prayer and fortitude.
When tempted to succumb to doubt, and believe that I cannot be a fully-present mom, an attentive wife, a co-leader in our church community group, a dreamer of evolving writing goals along with the Director of an 8th grade class, without losing my bloody mind, only one thing propels me forward from one day to the next: I have the opportunity to model for my kids that I can do hard things.
Hard things are possible, not because I already know the answers, but because I have a willingness to learn.
I see the value in it.
My children will watch how I live much more than listen to what I say.
We know this is true and also acknowledge why that feels impossibly difficult.
Whether I fully embrace the implications of this truth or not, it is life-shaping. This one phrase learned on my homeschooling journey spins around the mazes of my mind quite often these sun-filled days and motivates me to press on as “a lead learner”.
If you are a parent, an owner of a business, a manager of a team, you too are a lead learner.
What is a lead learner?
A lead learner is quite simply someone who leads by learning.
The good news? You can lead without having figured it all out.
The bad news? You can lead without ever realizing that you are in fact a leader, and that can have all sorts of frustrating results.
The starting place for any of us is the recognition that we are all leaders.
Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you feel equipped for your role in leadership?
No? You are not alone.
I didn’t have all of the patience I needed before I became a mom. Patience is earned and formed through trial and experience, a work of the Spirit in my life and a ton of prayer. Believe me when I say I still have a long way to go, but with each birthday, my character is being refined along with my aging body.
Knowledge comes from a book or a class (or a night of crashing for a test), but understanding comes from listening, from practicing, from failing.
If we are honest, not one of us possessed all we needed when we started our first job, became a parent for the first time or first began to teach our children. We do, however, all have the ability to learn what we need in order to lead well.
Shifting your perspective as a lead learner brings freedom and is key in order to shape the hearts, the minds, the character of your children. More importantly, this shift allows you to better navigate and stay the course with your children in various seasons.
The cultural environment is growing increasingly uncertain and volatile. As parents, we can model being a peacemaker.
The academic environment is constantly changing. As parents, we can model learning alongside our children and advocate on their behalf.
The political environment is becoming even more divisive and corrupt. As parents, we can model living a life of moral integrity and social responsibility.
The financial environment is unpredictably evolving. As parents, we can model living with our core identity in something that doesn’t change.
The religious environment is completely segregated. As parents, we can model what a life leveraged for a greater kingdom looks like in how we love and serve one another, despite our differences.
Our children do not need more voices, they need more models.
Characteristics of a lead learner.
While there are many places we can look for examples on leadership, I was drawn this week to observe the disciples of Christ.
These were men called away from their primary vocations to spend their days face to face, walking and learning from Jesus during his time on earth. These men were also eyewitnesses to the redemptive work of Christ, and became lead learners for those who seek to follow Christ’s example even now.
Let me encourage you: being a lead learner does not mean being perfect.
Take a deep breath. Let it all out. You’re welcome.
When Christ ascended to heaven, after his death on the cross, some disciples modeled actions that we would rather not emulate but can identify with all the same. Even still, the disciples model for us how to bring the love of Christ to a broken world.
If there is anything we want to pass along to our children it is to love others the way God loves us.
Lead Learners:
Gather.
“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.” Matthew 5:1 ESV
This encounter is towards the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He just called the disciples to follow him as he began to model teaching, healing and loving others. Jesus models first and then invites the disciples to gather near as they draw away from the noise, the distractions and crowds. It is in this moment that Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount to his captive audience of followers.
As lead learners, the disciples drew away with him and gathered.
For me to be a lead learner, I am encouraged to draw away from the noise of the world and draw near to the Source of life for wisdom, direction and discernment. Gathering near to Him is and will always be a wise first step.
Likewise, as parents, we cannot model for our children or lead them without being near to them, including them in our day and in our comings and goings. To have influence on their lives we must spend time with them, learning to value the time, viewing it as more than a day to calendar to fill. Each day is an invitation to intentionally teach and to sacrificially love them as we model the life of Christ.
I am also struck by the fact that most of the disciples’ learning took place in community with one another. Very few conversations that we read about in the Bible were isolated. Jesus taught in community and the ‘gathering together’ was an integral part of becoming lead learners.
Listen.
.Not only did the disciples follow and gather, but they listened with their minds and hearts.
Jesus was constantly speaking to these eager learners along the journey. He taught them in deed and in story or parable. There was time for dialogue, however, the first action we see from the disciples is that they walked with him, they watched, they observed and they listened long before they were sent out on their own.
In fact, Jesus would begin speaking with the call to listen.
“And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen!” Mark 4:2-3 ESV
It is a beneficial reminder that in order to lead well, both in corporate and personal settings alike, we must learn to listen well. Listen to the slamming doors and the cries of our children. Those cries point to an area that needs to be pursued; whether signifying a need for increased attention or gracious admonishment, lean in.
Lead learners listen with their eyes. Listening requires stopping and giving pause in order to tune in. In moments of instruction, I expect my children to stop and pay attention to my words, to make eye contact and to respond; therefore, it behooves me to model it for them.
We will learn much if we simply pause and listen.
Ask.
“And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.” Mark 4:10 ESV
As Jesus spoke to the disciples in parables, it was not always crystal clear regrading the intended application. The disciples missed the message on more than one occasion but they kept asking questions.
Don’t feel like you cant wrestle through something, show struggle, or even disagree in front of your children. However, don’t stop there. Ask questions and continually seek to gain understanding.
One of my favorite questions when sibling rivalry erupts like a volcano spewing words and accusations like lava around our home is, “Can you help me gain understanding?”
Ask for understanding from the Lord and he will give it to you. Ask for wisdom and he will bestow it generously. It is his promise to you. Ask him to be near to you in your endeavors and to keep your paths straight. Nothing brings him greater joy than hearing his children ask for things in his name and for his glory.
To own this title of ‘Lead Learner’, remember it involves asking. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s not a sign of ignorance. It’s a sign of a willingness to learn.
Learn.
Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29
No doubt as the disciples followed Jesus, listened to him, inquired for greater understanding, they learned the ways of their Savior. They learned that they didn’t have to check every box, fill every expectation, perform perfectly for their Father to love them completely.
They learned about grace. They learned about truth. They learned about trust.
Rest came upon them as they trusted in God to accomplish what the disciples realized they never could apart from him. May we guard against the lies that easily form when we believe a lead learner never gets to rest. On the contrary, there are seasons for proactive learning and seasons of restful learning.
Learning from God, as seen in the book of Matthew, leads to rest. Be encouraged.
Submit.
“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching for he was teaching them as one who had authority.” Matthew 7: 28-29 ESV
A ‘Lead Learner’ undoubtedly learns to submit to a greater authority even while leading.
As a mom wearing many hats, I learn to submit to the constraints on my time. I learn to submit to the changing needs of my family or my husband. I am growing in awareness and contentment that not every season is for every thing that I desire.
However, who I submit to as my ultimate authority determines what fruit is produced from my life. As a believer in Christ, every action and reaction is under his Lordship in my life.
We submit to a ruling authority over us each day. Instagram stories, Pinterest pictures, Twittter thoughts all compete for the role as headmaster in our lives. I find these are a burdensome master to submit to on the daily and recognize my need for a greater Master who speaks freedom and love over me.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV
After the difficult few weeks we have experienced as a country, you and I now have the privilege not only to stand up for injustices, to bridge the gap of dividing differences, but to also model for our children what life can be when we accept the role as lead learner.
Action: What area(s) can you be a lead learner in and for your family?
Love
Repentance
Forgiveness
Holistic living
Racial reconciliation
Homeschooling
Bible Knowledge
Financial freedom
Other