Dear Christway Family

I have been recently thinking about what it means to be a learner and what is our best.

In some ways. it is an easy question to answer, but it has evolved as I write this message.

I believed, that being a learner means to have a curious heart and a willing mind. It means:

Wanting to grow in knowledge, skills, and understanding.
Being open to making mistakes and learning from them.
Trying, even when things feel hard or uncomfortable.
Asking questions, listening carefully, and being humble.

Being a learner isn’t just about school—it’s about how we live and grow, how we treat others, and how we follow God every day.

We hope to never stop being a learner, however how do we grow as learners?

We grow by:

Practicing - even when we don’t get it right the first time.
Asking for help - when we need it.
Trying again - after we have failed.
Encouraging others - and letting others encourage us.
Working hard – embracing each day with hope and happiness.
Reflecting - on what we’ve done and how we can do better.

We all know that Jesus wants us to grow—not just in what we know, but who we are?

In John 15:5, Jesus says:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.”

This means that when we stay connected to Jesus—by talking to Him, reading His Word, and trusting Him—we will grow strong and full of good, like kindness, courage, patience and love. Just like a branch needs the vine to stay alive and healthy, we need Jesus to help us grow and learn.

In Romans 12:2, the Bible says:

“Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approved what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

That is what learning really is—letting God change and shape our mind so that we can live wisely, love deeply and know what’s right. Being a learner isn’t just about getting good grades—it’s about becoming more like Jesus every day.

So how do we grow?

Stay close to Jesus—He is your true source of strength.
Let Him guide your thinking—not just what you know, but how you live.
Keep trying, even when it is hard—because growth takes time.
Be open to change—God is always working in you.

Jesus invites each one of us to grow—not just in what we know, but in who we are becoming.

As I reflect upon the vine bible verse; a branch will only grow strong and healthy when it's connected to the vine. Without the vine, the branch dries up. But when it stays connected, it grows and produces fruit. This is the same with us. When we stay close to Jesus—praying, reading His Word, worshipping and following His way—we grow in love, joy, patience, strength and courage. We become who God created us to be.

What does this mean as a learner? How are we transformed in God’s way?

The best example I could share is how Jesus has taught us to be learners. Jesus is the greatest teacher of all, and He has taught us how to be learners through His words and actions.

Jesus listened to God - the Father and always stayed close to Him
Jesus asked questions as a child
Jesus was wise and shared His wisdom
Jesus served others
Jesus taught with love - not pride
And Jesus invited others to follow Him and learn from Him:

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…”– Matthew 11:29

Jesus showed us that learning isn’t just about the mind—it’s about the heart.

Recently, at Wyndham our Year 10 students stepped out in faith on a mission trip. They all left behind comfort, faced new challenges, served others, and shared God's love. But what truly changed them wasn’t just what they did—it was how they experienced their faith.

Some students said they felt closer to God than ever before. Others shared how they learned to listen to God, how they found purpose, and how their hearts were transformed by serving and loving like Jesus.

They didn’t just learn about the Vine (Jesus)—they connected to Him.

They came home different. More grounded. More grateful. More joyful. Why?Because they found the true Vine—and they are staying connected and growing their fruit. These students grew in love, peace, kindness and so many more ways.

And for us all, we don’t have to go far to grow. Every day, we can:

Stay close to Jesus – talk to Him, walk with Him and trust Him
Let God shape our thoughts – choose His way, even when it’s hard
Be open to change – Jesus loves us abundantly, and will give us strength in our hope
Remember the Vine – He is our strength, our hope and our source of life

Our journey matters, our heart matters, and we are deeply loved by the Jesus, who is the source of our growth.

My message is we stay connected. Keep learning. Be transformed. And never forget:

Apart from Him, you can do nothing. But with Him? You can grow beyond anything you imagine.

Community

Wyndham City Church