Lamad - Revelation Based Learning
The Hebrew language uses one root (lamad) which is translated “to teach” and “to learn”. In the Hebrew culture, the teacher has not taught unless the student has learned. All learning and teaching are ultimately to be found in a reverence for God. The goal of teaching is not the recitation of facts but the changing of lives. For the Hebrews, knowledge (yada) involves personal encounter and response to God’s revelation. In the lamad method of learning, we are returning to the Hebraic concept of education, including this personal encounter and revelation. The gathering of Christians becomes a place of impassioned discussion and the sharing of real life experience. It is a place where we meet God and share in the life experiences of others. This becomes a place where we practice truth. The classroom is not separated from life but is actually part of our lives.
What does Lamad learning feel like?
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It is flowing, spontaneous thoughts and pictures (coming from the Holy Spirit – John. 7:38, 39), rather than analytical thoughts and pictures (which we structure or paint in our minds ourselves).
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They are very life-giving and produce a sense of excitement, passion and joy over the revelations and insights being gained.
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The disciples said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”(Luke 24:32). That is the experience we are seeking. God accompanies His revelation with an impartation of divine faith which grants us the capacity to believe that what God has revealed to us, can and will be accomplished.
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Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes from God’s Voice:So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the [spoken] word (rhema)of Christ.
How do we posture ourselves so we can experience Lamad?
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Worship and unity are crucial. God is enthroned upon the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3) and the Holy Spirit flows where there is unity (Ps. 133). Therefore classtime should begin by drawing participants into worship and unity.
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In addition, humility and reverence are key attitudes of a listening heart. Humility causes one to seek the face of God asking for divine wisdom and grace to face the challenges of life (James 1:5). Then as God speaks, reverence causes one to obey by saying, “Yes, Lord” (Jer. 7:23; James 1:23).
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Once these elements are in place, we quiet ourselves down, fixing our eyes on Jesus, ask for His wisdom and receive His thoughts, pictures and emotions (as spontaneous thoughts, pictures and emotions) which we record (Hab. 2:1-2; Heb. 12:1,2; Jn. 7:37-39, Rev. 1:9-11).