Appendix 1F; Phases of Learning Applied to Christianity
Without learning there can be no change (Proverbs 19:20).
The phases of learning start when you become aware of what you didn't know and have the desire to apply it (Psalm 34:8). Learning doesn't have an end point. Its a continuous cycle - unless pride or fear stifles your desire.
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Phase one is labeled unconscious incompetent because there is no stimulus that awakens your awareness. You do not realize there is a solution to a problem because you haven't recognized the problem. Awareness stimulates a desire to explore possibilities for creativity and change.
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Once your motive to learn has been triggered, you move into the second phase, conscious competence, which is fueled by a desire to spend your time acquiring knowledge so you can learn what you were once ignorant about- you do something as a result of becoming conscious of what it is that you do not know. You are focused in this phase on knowledge and skill building so you are maybe volleying between old skills developed to achieve past goals and the new ones. For example, after accepting Christ as Savior, a conscious competent Christian becomes aware of their lack of knowledge in Christ and decides to learn more so they can walk the talk of Christianity, however, h/she finds that the old habit coexists with the new (Matthew 13:1-6).
Note: This is where performance tension and anxiety are often confused and if not differentiated in your mind, will lead to discouragement and then you'll be stuck in the "push-pull" tension of change.
3. Phase three is labeled a conscious incompetent. This is when you begin acting on what you have learned but find yourself fumbling in the performance of the new knowledge (skill development, Matthew 13:7). In Christianity, you have the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to lead you through this phase so you don't give up but can persist through the change process to develop the new skill. Your confident determination is visible when you step out in faith to fulfill what the Bible says can be accomplished in Christ, even though you have no personal experience yet.
4. The final phase of learning is when you do the new behavior routinely, without even thinking about it. This is when productive habits become ingrained into your new normal behavior, assuming useful feedback is given and taken. As an unconscious competent, you practice what you know so often and can even apply it to many different situations while you consistently reap the desired consequence so that this behavior exists in your subconscious and becomes routine, habitual behavior (Matthew 13:8). This develops confidence, rather than fear. Your personality disposition is seen as a person who is open to suggestions making you an approachable and teachable person, optimizing situations so you thrive, instead of just survive in life. Someone who is confident to experience learning and embrace change without experiencing any sabatoge from a deflated self- worth.
The four phases of learning are a continuous cycle for a life-long learner and serves as a way to make your faith ever-increasing in it's application. Understanding the learning process can be helpful in explaining the maturation process in Christianity (Ephesians 4:14-15). It, too, is a life-long process explained in Matthew 7:7 and James 1:22 as a progressive learning journey to maturity (Romans 13:14, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 2 Peter 3:18). Exponential growth in your faith (not the size but the power/strength as recorded in Matthew 17:20) comes when what you have read or heard about your Christian faith is expressed through your actions and your attitude (personality disposition). A conscious - competent Christian relies on the Holy Spirit, is intentional in behavior, and maintains an easy going, open nature as s/he focuses on applying Biblical principles to life without taking things too personally (1 Corinthians 4:3-4 ,12:3, Galatians 2:20, 6:14,1 Peter 2:2-3, Matthew 28:18-20, 25:14-30).
Christianity, like love, becomes a personal adjective describing your action. It becomes a description of you - when, after you accept Christ as Savior, you journey through life incorporating Christian principles into your daily habits (not because you have to, but because you want to, James 2:18-19, 26, Matthew 6:33, 24:45-46, Hebrews 12:28, 2 Timothy 4:2, Galatians 1:10). When others become aware of Him by seeing God at work in you, they too will be inspired to learn of Him (2 Peter 2:12).
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When you fully express your Christ identity for others to see, you will shinE your A, B, C’s (attitude, behavior and consequences, D(A+B); see Appendix 2U).
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