REALWomanhood: We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. -Albert Einstein
Written by Dr. Merle Ray on January 1, 2019
Lesson 4 – Pondering Questions
Experience is not the Best Teacher
Textbook: Spiritual Identity by Dr. Merle Ray
Question:
Where did the old saying, “Experience is the best teacher” come from? Is it true? Post your thoughts on the above quotes by Albert Einstein and Confucius as they relate to this lesson. Also leave a reply to the comments of your Corporate Sisters.
Instructions:
Once you have left your reply/comments, then click below to either proceed to the Next Discussion Forum or Return to Curriculum page.
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Benita Edwards On April 26, 2020 at 3:09 pm
I’ll take wisdom over experience, yes! I think some things we have to experience to see the wisdom (walk in those shoes to know if they fit or how they feel). On the other hand, I think some things we don’t have to experience. Listen to the Father; ask Him for wisdom! Follow Jesus; He is the Way! There are some things that I’ve experienced that I’d like to dissolve, disappear, disintegrate, dissipate — just “dis-” because I didn’t know her – Wisdom. So, did All those experiences (the good, the bad, and the “never mind”) lead me to where I am now? If so, then Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Dr. Merle Ray On April 26, 2020 at 6:55 pm
You go girl! Benita, awesome!
Juanita Robinson On April 23, 2020 at 11:35 pm
During some challenging times in my family life, I used my credit cards to assist with provisions. When I took my purchases to another level outside of necessities I found myself in a delima that only through me seeking the wisdom of GOD and following the instructions given and due to consolidation and paying off those cards the one payment was cheaper and if gave me an opportunity to be pulled out the hole I dug for myself through the gudiance of the HOLY SPIRIT!!!
Yolanda Perry On April 19, 2020 at 7:01 pm
At the age of 18, I believed that experience was the best teacher. I learned that we are to learn from others’ successes and mistakes in life. In order to experience victory or overcome a bad choice, our mind have to be transformed to prevent repeating the same mistake. I agree with Confucius quote. My interpretation of Confucius’s quotes is to reflect on your mistake and learn from them. The scripture comes to mind Christ learned obedience from the things he suffered. Obedience produces heavenly wisdom. Heavenly wisdom is found in James 3:17.
Diana Williams On April 19, 2020 at 6:36 pm
I do not believe that experience is the best teacher. Some situations we do not have to experience ourselves. However, we must humble ourselves to listen to the wisdom imparted to us, or watch the outcome of those who have traveled before us. It is better to receive knowledge and understanding than to journey in unknown territory
Deborah Stevens On April 19, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Wisdom is given liberally to those who ask, according to scripture (James 1:5). Even if wisdom comes through reflection, someone’s experience is being considered. We ask God to reveal those lessons we should learn or we can be doomed to repeat them. For many years, I remained stuck in stationary situations because I wouldn’t move. I did not know which questions to ask. As my relationship with God grew, I was able to ask God for direction and clarity. Most importantly, I was able to hear from Him and use the courage to act on it.
Dodie LaMott On April 19, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Experience is the best teacher is an old wise saying, I have heard this over and over that I believe it to be so. I can say through life challenges, journeys and experiences that is not necessarily the case always. For instance you have heard practice makes perfect but one must have the desire and the wisdom to want. I believe it depends on the situation as well as one frame of mind at the time, some have the best of opportunities in life and they fail to follow through but when you know the Father is in all opportunities and wants the best for you , you can have the best experience ever.
Always putting God first is the key to achieving anything.
LaShawn Darthard On April 19, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Well the saying that I heard from season women growing up was, bought sense was better than thought sense. When you choose not to listen to the wisdom from parents and others then the consequences that you go through would then become bought. You bought it with pain, hurt, tears and loss. At that point, it is no longer an assumption it becomes reality. For me I bought my lessons in life more time than I desired to. These women weren’t saying to go this route but if you choose to, this would be what you would face. May heart of compassion and trust was what got me in trouble more than what I would have wanted. My turn around can when I did a research paper on “How to guard your heart”. Proverbs 3:5-6 & Psalm 119:11. I experience the beauty in not just opening up my heart to God and giving it to Him but also in consulting Him when there was a decision to be made. What affects us affects everyone connected to us. I didn’t want my love ones to experience some of the pains of watching me go through and in some cases wanting to deal directly with the individual. My freedom came when I forgave the individuals and even myself.
Evelyn Wilson On April 19, 2020 at 5:48 pm
For some people experience is a good teacher, we experience things in different ways, like struggles, failure, success, we discovery and realize many things as they we go through. different people have different experience while going through the same struggles people are often taught a different lesson from what someone else is thought therefore learning sometime it’s not just one valuable lesson. it’s our experiences that will enrich the quality of our life somethings. I believe this is why the saying experience is the best teacher is quoted among many people.
But we can also learn and be taught many valuable lesson from someone else experience. Because going through it some people still don’t learn.
Christie Mangum On April 19, 2020 at 4:02 pm
I’ve never agreed with experience being the best teacher. The bible says several times in the Proverbs my son listen to my sayings and do them. God intended for us to hear his instructions and obey. He gives us wisdom to know how to apply what he’s said. If we go in the way of experience then we put ourselves at risk for many unfortunate outcomes however lessons can be learned in the end.
Dr. Merle Ray On April 19, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Thumbs up! Christie!
Barbara Crater On April 17, 2020 at 2:54 pm
1. The saying “Experience is the best teacher” is believed to first started with Julius Caesar. (Julius Caesar’s Quotes)
2. From the 3 points given by Confucius my take away is wisdom is learned, and it comes in various forms.
3. This has been such a pondering question for me; Is experience the best teacher. It was not a right away no answer for me. Although
wisdom has always been here for me I was not always aware of it. Thank God for the continuing of opening up the eyes of my
understanding.
Dr. Merle Ray On April 17, 2020 at 5:29 pm
Barbara,
I loved what you shared, “Although wisdom has always been here for me I was not always aware of it. Thank God for the continuing of opening up the eyes of my
understanding.”
brendab On March 30, 2020 at 4:09 pm
I used to think experience is the best teacher was true until I found myself going around in circle with the same situation more times then I want to count, I’ve learned that only by the help of God can we ever learn from our experience not to keep doing the same thing over and over, we gain wisdom by learning how to handle a situation and the word says that the fear of God (reverence) is the first step to wisdom
LaShawn Darthard On March 24, 2020 at 10:20 pm
I am interest in facilitating this lesson with my BYB sisters on the appropriate Sunday conference call. Thanks.
Dr. Merle Ray On March 25, 2020 at 1:37 am
You’ve Got it! Thanks!