By Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt

The Christian life is not a “one and done” reality. Like breathing, eating, or walking with a friend, it is continual, life-shaping, and always growing. Proverbs 1:7 (ESV) helps us see that, but it comes with its own challenge that lasts our entire life— to keep on learning with reverence, humility, and trust in the Lord.

The verse begins with the phrase, “The fear of the Lord …” This kind of fear is not the terror we think of most often, but instead it is a deep respect, awe, and submission to God’s wisdom and authority. In the Bible, to “fear the Lord” means to recognize who He is: Our Creator and holy, just, loving, and perfectly wise. It means we understand that we are not the source of wisdom, but He is. And so, learning begins when we stop trying to be self-sufficient and instead trust the One who created us.

And yet, Proverbs 1:7 doesn’t just offer encouragement—it gives a warning too: “fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This should give us pause. The opposite of a life of learning is a life that refuses to listen, a life that sees correction as a threat rather than a gift. Whether we are young or advanced in years, the temptation to assume we already know enough is real. But the wise person—no matter their age—is the one who remains teachable, especially before the Lord.

But Proverbs doesn’t just talk about the start of knowledge. It sets the tone and the pace for all learning, especially for us Christians who seek to grow in faith over the course of a lifetime. We often think of learning as something reserved for children, for the classroom, or formal Bible study. But the Scriptures speak of wisdom as a lifelong pursuit. In Proverbs 4:7 (ESV), Solomon says, “Whatever you get, get insight.” That’s not just a call to study more but a call to keep the light of Christ, the Word of God, to illuminate the path as we walk through this world.

Lifelong learning in the Christian life is not about collecting facts or accumulating knowledge for its own sake. It is about being shaped in and by the Word of God, transformed by His Holy Spirit, and continually molded into the likeness and image of Christ. It’s about hearing His Word and seeing His promises anew each day, especially when our hearts are tired or our bodies grow weak. God is never done teaching us. He is never finished speaking His mercy and His grace into our lives.

Worship is a time of learning. So is prayer. So is opening the Bible alone or with a group. Wisdom isn’t found just in head knowledge but in consistent and faithful trust in the Lord and His Word.

Let us never stop learning, never stop listening, and never stop leaning on the God whose wisdom is eternal.

This month’s study text:

The Beginning of Knowledge

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:1-7 (ESV)

Reflection Questions:

In what areas of your life are you currently seeking wisdom, and how are you turning to God’s Word for guidance?

How does “the fear of the Lord” shape your attitude toward learning, especially when it comes to being corrected or challenged?

What practices—such as prayer, worship, or Bible reading—help you remain a lifelong learner in your walk with Christ?

Prayer:

O Lord our God, the fountain and source of all wisdom and knowledge is You. Teach us to fear, love, and trust in You over all other sources of knowledge. Help us see when we put others, including ourselves, ahead of You and forgive us when we put our trust in them above You. Continue to make us lifelong learners of Your mercy and grace that we may point others to You, as well, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt is the Assistant Vice President of Admissions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.