Raising Kids Who Love to Learn

Cultivating a Teachable Spirit at Home

By: Michelle Corless, DPT, MDiv

“A teachable spirit begins with the realization that one is incomplete- intellectually, morally, and spiritually. None of us is all that we can be or need to be. The wise person wants to grow and is open to learn from anyone.” Susan Yates

As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is not just knowledge, but the heart to keep learning. In What Really Matters at Home, John and Susan Yates remind us that a teachable spirit is essential to a child’s lifelong journey of faith and character.

What is a teachable spirit?

A teachable spirit is a willingness to listen, receive instruction, and grow. It is more than good behavior, it is an attitude of humility and openness that produces an eagerness to be guided by parents, mentors, and ultimately by God.

A child with a teachable spirit says with their heart, “I don’t know everything but I am willing to learn.”

The Yates’ point out that children who are teachable thrive because they are not resistant to correction. They see feedback as an opportunity to grow. In contrast, a child who lacks a teachable spirit may resist authority, ignore wisdom, or believe they already know best.

Why does it matter in discipleship?

When it comes to faith at home, a teachable spirit opens the door for God’s Word to take root. As Scripture says:

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”  Psalm 25:4-5

A child who is open to instruction is more likely to listen when you share Bible stories, ask questions during prayer time, and apply lessons from Scripture to their daily life.

Where do I begin?

As an adult, I have done much in my life to incur God’s anger, and instead of punishing me, God has blessed me beyond anything that I can ever think or imagine. An underlying sense of thankfulness has developed in me which has enabled God to develop qualities of Christlikeness in me. I believe we begin teaching children how to have teachable spirits at home by helping our children develop hearts of gratitude. 

“The fruit of the Spirit- love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control- can grow in the soil of grateful heart but never in the soil of pride. A person with a heart of gratitude will more likely develop a teachable spirit” (Yates, p. 35). Create rhythms of gratitude at home. Ask the Holy Spirit to instruct you what this looks like for you and your family. 

How Parents Can Encourage a Teachable Spirit

Here are some practical practices:

·  Model Humility. Let your child see you learning from God’s Word and from others. Admit when you don’t know something. Let them hear- "I'm wrong, and you're right" when the situation warrants it. Invite your child into your growth journey. Say things like, "I would like your opinion" which shows them that you value what they think.

·  Value Others. Recapture the sense that every person is valuable. This helps us be open to learning from any person. God may choose the most unlikely people to be His agents of training in our lives. His choice could be someone we might not ordinarily notice.

·  Be Accepting and Not Critical. Ask yourself if you have an accepting or critical spirit. You can do this by checking your own attitudes and speech, especially at the dinner table. Was I critical of anyone or any particular group? Did I put someone down in my conversations in front of or with my children? Does my speech reflect that I am accepting or critical? We must be people of discernment, yet there is a difference between evaluating and being critical... and our children will mimic this! We usually don't have all of the facts about a person's situation. We can teach our children to evaluate while believing to see the best about others so as to not develop a critical spirit. 

·  Distinguish between right and wrong by looking to God's word. By upholding the Word of God as authority in our lives, our children will cultivate the same respect. God wants what good for us and our children and this is represented in His word. We can help our children discern good from evil, helping them learn to make the right decisions, by teaching them God's word at home. God will never lead contrary to what He has already said in Scripture.

·  Appreciate perspective. Our natural tendency will be to spend time with people just like us. However, it is far more enriching for us and for our children to be with folks whose life experience has been different. Have a believer from a foreign country over for dinner. Ask them to share about their life. Look to families with different economic resources and connect with them. Learn from other Christian resources who have your childrens growth in mind

·  Use play as practice. Toys and playtime can be powerful teaching tools—whether acting out Bible stories with plush toys, role-playing scenarios that teach listening and respect, or simply practicing patience while building together.

A Parents Prayer

Lord God, help me and my children to have humble and teachable hearts. Teach us your ways, that we may please you. Guide us in Your truth, and remind us that learning is a gift from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.