How to be a good listener? April 1, 2007
Posted by Han in : Church and Ministry , trackbackOne of the highlight in church is to listen to message. How can we make the most in listening to message? I do have some tips from the bible that I have learned.
1) Good listener listens with the purpose of growing
Listening is a learning process. It’s time to learn and absorb from the speaker (his experience and teaching). The purpose of listening is to grow and be matured. It doesn’t really matter who is speaking (whether the speaker is famous or not), as long as our heart is right, we are able to learn great thing.
2) Good listener listens attentively (not just casually)
He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:3
A little bit of background of the Israelites – they were sent to exile by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon because of their disobedience. They sinned against God. God sent a lot of prophets to warn them but they didn’t repent. So God allowed other nation to conquer them. At that point of time, the entire Israel was devastated and destroyed. It was then God raised up Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple of God, Ezra to restore the word of God and Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. The people were very attentive because their lives, their families and their country were in ruin. They have forsaken the Lord their God and they have forsaken the word of God.
A good listener is very attentive. He listens carefully not casually. The word doesn’t just pass through his ears but instead it goes from the head into the heart. He gives the speaker undivided attention. He is not thinking about other things (KFC, MacDonald or shopping). He wants to learn and grow in the word of God. It is important to him. He knows deep down in his heart, the word of God is the answer to his life, family and nation.
3) Good listener is serious with the word of God (not taking it lightly)
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:5-6
The people stood up. It actually means showing respect. When someone important (example: the King or Prime Minster) walk pass, we will stand up to show respect. When we sing national anthem, we will also stand up. Good listener respects the speaker because he is serious with the word of God. He knows that the speaker is sharing the word of God. So he must be serious in listening, cannot take it lightly (ex: sleep, drawing cartoon, talking or sms).
4) Good listener search their heart
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah 8:9
Why would the people wept? It is because the word of God penetrates into their heart. They knew that they have fall short of the word of God. When a good listener listens to the word of God, he will search his heart. He will evaluate his life, to see any shortcomings, weaknesses and sins. He will weep, confess and repent before God.
5) Good listener aims at understanding the word of God
The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.” Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. Nehemiah 8:11-12
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11
Good listener aims at understanding the word of God. He knows that understanding will lead to application. He is not satisfied if he doesn’t understand the word of God Look also at the Berean in Acts 17:11, they were eager to examine the scripture everyday. Once understood, he will rejoice!
What do you think is the greatest hindrance in being a good listener?
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