A Three-Fold Path To Wisdom

Proverbs 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

I was reading the philosophy of a particular home-school curriculum the other day. They had their education broken down into three groups. The curriculum used the ideas of the above verse for their categories.

The first level was that of KNOWLEDGE. This was the basic level where all children start. Children are good at memorizing names of things and facts. They can even typically memorize these facts without even understanding what, or why it is.

The second level was that of UNDERSTANDING. This is where the children begin explore what those facts mean. They tie the name of the thing, with a definition. They tie definitions together and show how ideas link with other ideas.

The third level is that of WISDOM. This is the top level of knowledge. The children at this level are encouraged to apply what they have learned to their life. Wisdom is essentially knowledge and understanding of truth, in action. This is where knowledge needs to end if our children are to be wise.

As I was reading this home-school philosophy, I saw that this type of learning should apply to all areas of life. It is a three-fold way for all people to "buy truth." If you and I are to be wise, we must begin with a basic knowledge of a truth or a fact. Then we are to explore that fact until we understand it. But for you and I to be wise, we must not end there. We must apply to our lives the facts and truths we have now understood.