Open Minded  SEEK Needed: Toothpick puzzle diagrams and answers Say: To start this discussion I what groups to complete a toothpick puzzle. Get in groups of six find a meeting place somewhere in the Youth & Activity Centers and begin. (Don't include any instructions. After a little while, give them one set of missing instructions and let them continue a few minutes. Repeat 3 times and changing the instructions between groups.) Select a leader for each group and give him or her a "leader sheet".   ASK:    -How did it feel to not have directions?    -What was easy or difficult about it?     -How did you try to figure out what to do?     -What was the end result?     -How did you feel when you knew you would finally get the instructions? After receiving them?    -What other experiences or situations have you been in when you didn't use directions, or didn't have them? Say: Tonight's discussion topic is how to be teachable, focusing on the importance of following advice and instruction- especially from the Bible! Some adults today think their kids aren't teach-able-and that they don't want to listen. Teachable people aren't gullible people. They're people who seek out wisdom and truth in life. They think for themselves, check facts, and weigh evidence before buying an idea. Teachable individuals learn from all kinds of people-young and old, simple and intelligent. But most of all, teachable people are those willing to learn God's messages and obey his commands.     SOLVE Read: Karina believes what she hears on psychic infomercials and what she reads in supermarket tabloids. She's sure she's going to win the lottery, and she spends her afternoons watching gossip TV talk shows. She claims that she's open-minded and teachable, while her friends think she's simply gullible. ASK:    -What do you think is the difference between being gullible and being teachable?    -Do you know friends or acquaintances like Karina? Say: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "A gullible person is exploitable, easily led, and has blind faith. A teachable person wants to learn but is cautious enough to check out sources and to test truth." ASK:    -Which of the following do you think are the five greatest obstacles for a person who is trying to be teachable? (Discuss the items your group chose and ask why. Which ones are larger pitfalls than others? Why? Why would each of these keep someone from being teachable? )   __Science   __Fashion magazines   __Faith __Age   __The Internet   __Network newscasters __Youth   __Outspoken celebrities   __Stubbornness __Peer pressure   __Pride   __College degree __Scoffers   __Habit   __Success __Political correctness   __Wealth   __Doubt __Family ties   __Lack of discipline   __Tradition __Television   __Immorality   __Misinformed teachers   Read: Proverbs 9:9 "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning." And Proverbs 10:8 "The wise of heart will heed commandments, but a chattering fool will come to ruin." Say: Come up with a summary of both verses in your own words. ASK:    -Based on these verses, how teachable do you think you are?    -What do these two proverbs say about accepting commands and being eager to react to the wisdom shared by a godly teacher? Say: Do you A (agree) or D (disagree)? __ People can be taught by children. __ People can learn from someone of much less intelligence. __ People have a hard time being taught by someone who is very close to them. __ People who are still young often think they know more than they do. __ People who think they know more than they do are boared. __ People learn things only in school. ASK:    -Where do you look for godly wisdom?    -If you haven't already - Which of these items do you agree or disagree with? Why?    -What examples can you share about each statement above? Like, when does a child teach a lesson to an adult? Say: Describe something that you've learned in the last few weeks that has stretched your imagination, expanded your insights, answered your questions, ignited a quest, or changed your behavior. ASK:    -What did you find out about God or yourself? What happened and what did you learn?    -What stuck with you from this experience?    -What questions do you have now about God or wisdom through the experience?   CLOSE Say: Learning is a choice. Just like learning in school, you have to actively seek godly wisdom in order to grow and learn. You can take the easy way out and accept what a doubtful person or web site says or you can look a little harder and longer at the whole picture and learn from the information shared. What can you do to stimulate learning? In the coming weeks, challenge yourself to find ways of learning and to turn television or video games off when they are just taking up time. Be encouraged to strike up conversations with others you trust, at school, during youth discussions, and at church. Include older and more mature Christians (possibly your parents!). Don't be afraid to question askers and truth seekers. List five question/mysteries/doubts you have about your religion: