“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” (Phil Collins). I think that is a good way of putting it. When I “teach” (small groups, Sunday School), I try to minimize the lecture. I prefer to engage by asking open-ended questions and probing. As I draw people into dialogue, I often find that that the “students” end up sharpening me as much as I sharpen them. Perhaps more.
I also like a mixture of age groups. The older ones can share their accumulated wisdom with the young, while the young can re-kindle the wonder, excitement and enthusiasm of learning that the older ones may have lost along the way. But never assume that just because they are young, they cannot teach the “old dogs” a thing or two.
My Advice – The advantage of one-on-one or small group mentoring and accountability versus always going it alone should not be underestimated.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” (Benjamin Franklin).
