What if the Teaching Topic Isn’t Relevant to Me?

The class I teach at the local community college is an introductory freshman class that is required for the majority of students their first year. More often than not, I get several students that are irritated that they have to take the class. I think for many of them they think what they are already doing is working, that the topic isn’t relevant to them anymore, and that there really isn’t any reason or benefit for the class. They are operating under a false belief that they can’t learn anything new or that they already know all that there is to know about the topics we cover in class.

It’s hard to work with people who aren’t teachable. However, if they’ll adjust their mindset a bit and stick with the class, they usually find that they will get something beneficial out of the class, even if they are already familiar with some of the material.

Some strategies I use with my classes when they believe the topic isn’t relevant to them

To preempt some of the negative attitudes in my classes I’ve added a statement to my syllabus:

You will be expected to participate in this class with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a realization that everyone has room for improvement. “Know-it-all” attitudes should be checked at the door.

Additionally, I try to share some strategies with them to combat the temptation to think that they aren’t going to learn anything new. First, I ask them to be open-minded, to never believe that they are above learning, and be willing to admit that they might have some room to learn more. Next, I will often share stories of other students who were also first agitated that they had to take this class but then were pleasantly surprised when they did actually gain some new and valuable information and strategies.

Then, I tell them to try to look at subject matter that they’ve already learned in a different light or from a different perspective. Finally, I tell them if they still think that they already know everything there is to know to approach the class as if they are learning how to teach this information to somebody else (i.e. a friend or family member).

Christians do the same thing

Unfortunately, I think we as Christians often do the same things my students do. We think a certain sermon, message or teaching topic isn’t relevant to us either because we’ve already heard or learned it before or because we are at a different place in life. For example, our church is currently doing a series about “Hope For Your Home”. Throughout the series our pastor has done some teaching on parenting. It would be easy for people who are not parents or no longer have kids at home to think that the topic isn’t relevant to them.

However, our pastor made a very good point in that many of the parenting strategies he discussed would also be helpful and applicable in other situations. They would be valuable and useful for teachers, coaches, or any other person in a leadership position where you might be leading, guiding, or mentoring others. Grandparents might find the strategies helpful, and those yet to have children could file the information away for later.

It’s so tempting

When we think a topic isn’t relevant to us, in that moment it’s so tempting to say, “Oh, that’s for other people I don’t need that.” If I’m being honest, I’m ashamed to admit that I have said that very thing. I’ve been tempted to skip a daily devotion, delete a blog post, or skim past a podcast because I thought it would be a waste of my time to spend time on something I felt like I already knew.

But how do I know that it may not have new information that I haven’t learned yet? What if I might see something from a different perspective or in a different light? Isn’t it possible that there could still be something there, and it might help me to grow and further my walk with God or help me grow deeper in relationship with Him? Aren’t I limiting (and even playing) God when I have a belief that there’s no more room for improvement?

In fact, even recently, I have seen the benefits of hanging in there and being teachable in spite of the fact that the topic was a repetition of something I had already learned. I still gained insight and information in a different perspective on certain things that I would not have gained had I missed that particular teaching.

None of us have “arrived“

Just like it is hard for me to work with people who aren’t teachable, I think God might feel the same way. He desires a humble, teachable, meek, malleable spirit in those He instructs. None of us have “arrived“. We are all growing and improving until the day we die or until Jesus returns.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Philippians 3:12 (NLT)

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT) 

Take Some Practical Steps When the Teaching Topic Isn’t Relevant to You:

• First, be teachable and meek. An attitude that lacks this, reveals pride.

-Be open-minded.

-Never believe you are above learning—everyone has room for improvement.

-Be willing to admit that you might have some room to learn more.

“But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” Psalm 37:11 (NIV)

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 (NIV) 

• Second, think back to a time when you didn’t expect to learn anything but were pleasantly surprised when you did.

You could also think about a time when you listened to a sermon or a message more than once but were still able to pick up something different that you didn’t get out of it the first time. Another similar strategy would be to consider a bible verse that you’ve read that meant something different to you the second or third time around. The point here is to come to the realization and remind yourself that you were still able to learn something new in previous situations even when you might not have expected it and even when the topic was a repetition of something you had already learned.

• Next, try to see the topic from a different perspective or look at it as a refresher.

Maybe you’ll get a new angle or maybe you’ll find a different or new application that you hadn’t noticed before. We all need refreshers from time to time too.

• Approach the topic as if you are listening again to try to learn or get some ideas of how to teach or explain this same topic to others.

Maybe you do already have a vast knowledge of the topic. However, there is a possibility that you will find a way of wording something that might help you explain it to or teach somebody else that might not be as far along in their walk with God as you are. After all, we ARE called to disciple others.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

• Finally, strive to continuously grow and improve. Press on as God continues the good work He began in you!

What do you do when you feel like a topic isn’t relevant? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)