They say he has been trained in the usual way.

They note that he has never been taught or studied.

Listen carefully and weigh the insight before dismissing it.

Ignore it until an approved expert repeats it.

Decide they have nothing worthwhile to say.

Treat surprise itself as proof that they're wrong.

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and trusted my own understanding. I turn from my pride and need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I ask you to come into my life and teach me your truth. Amen.

Receive the One Who Gives True Wisdom

Lord, revive your Church where we have become proud, suspicious, or hard to teach. Keep us from judging by status or appearance, and make us quick to listen when you speak in unexpected ways. Let our surprise become worship and our worship become obedience, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew a Teachable Church

Father, thank you that your wisdom is not limited by human credentials. Thank you for the ways truth can come in surprising places, and for the mercy that keeps us from missing it. Give us grateful hearts that are open to learn, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for Wisdom Beyond Status

Name one area where you often decide too quickly who is worth listening to. Ask God to soften that instinct, help you hear with humility, and show you the next conversation where you need to listen more than you speak.

Pray for a Teachable Heart

Bring these to God: your habits of sizing people up by schooling, your fear of being mistaken, and your desire to value wisdom over appearances. Ask him to make you teachable when truth arrives in unexpected form.

Grow Beyond Assumptions

Pray for people whose wisdom is easily dismissed because they lack titles, status, or formal training; for students and teachers; and for communities to recognize true insight with humility and fairness.

For Those Whose Voices Are Overlooked

ἐθαύμαζον{e-THAV-ma-zon###eh-THAV-mah-zohn###were marveling} οὖν{OON###OON###therefore} οἱ{HEE###HEE###(the)} Ἰουδαῖοι{ee-oo-DHEE-ee###ee-oo-DHEE-ee###Jews} λέγοντες{LE-ghon-tes###LEH-ghohn-tehs###saying} Πῶς{POS###POHS###How} οὗτος{HOO-tos###HOO-tos###this man} γράμματα{GRA-ma-ta###GRAH-mmah-tah###letters or learning} οἶδεν{EE-DEN###EE-DEHN###knows} μὴ{MEE###MEE###not} μεμαθηκώς{me-ma-THEE-KOS###meh-mah-THEE-KOHS###having learned or having studied}

John 7:15 — Source TextTAB

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