CAPACITY-BUILDING THROUGH LEARNING Pt.3

STUDY AND MENTORSHIP

Anthony Robbins is one of America's topmost performance coach. His parents divorced when he was just 7 years. His mom broke four relationships after she left his dad. At 17, he had an altercation with his mom that threw him out of the house. He couldn't go to college so he worked as a janitor earning $40 per week. He decided to succeed through self development. He attended Jim Rohn's seminar at the cost of $35, that was almost all his weekly wages. Rohn mentored Robbins to develop a coaching style that made him famous by his mid-20s. Having fallen in love with performance coaching, he developed capacity to consult for company excutives, scholars in academia and professionals( most of whom were university graduates and professors), In seven years, Anthony Robbins read over 700 books. In his mid 20s, he became a millionaire. This is the story of a man without a college degree who developed the capacity for his passion through mentorship and reading.

Aside failure to submit to structured training/ learning, another reason for low and poor performance is failure to develop capacity through mentorship and study. Learning through mentorship and study makes one to be fresh and green. The strength of your library and your submission to mentorship will reflect in the way you go about your God-given purpose. Looking at the life and ministry of Jesus, it is evident that he was studious. On several occasions, in conversations, Jesus referred to what was "written". When the religious leaders of his day confronted him with a question on marriage&divorce, he said, "Haven’t you read,” he replied,..."( Matthew19:4). Even during temptation, in two of his responses, he said, "It is written". He wouldn't have known what was written if He hadn't read. It is evident that Jesus was informed and mentally sound.

Another good example of a man who built capacity for his life's purpose was apostle Paul. He was a scholar who schooled under Gamaliel, the grandson of Hillel. He was mentored by Barnabas. In bible scholarship, Paul's usage of the Greek language was unique among other new testament writers and his epistles are hotly debated among scholars till date. He was well read even to the point where he quoted Gentile poets in his day, Acts17:28. If he was not a reader, how would he have known what a poet wrote? He stood as a witness for Christ among the stoics&epicureans in his day, those were the scholars of that time who had knowledge of science&philosophy(Acts17:28). You need to study about the calibre of men who were in the Areopagus council in Athens that Paul addressed in his day( Acts17). They were the thinkers of that time. As anointed as other apostles were, none had the kind of audience Paul had. He developed an uncommon capacity to confront great minds in his day so that he can be a witness for Christ in circles where the ordinary people couldn't reach. He was given to thorough study. He told Timothy, "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. ALSO BRING MY BOOKS, and especially my papers" (2 Tim4:13). A wise man said, "study so that you won't be stupid". Commit yourself to lifelong capacity building in your God-given purpose through study. It will pay off some day.