We Shouldn't Ever Be "Dull of Hearing"
I love learning! Every Christian should be able to say this and mean this. Of course, there's nothing wrong with Christians wanting to finish school, not have homework, and the like. Spiritually speaking, however, each and every child of God should be so enthused about God's word that studying it and learning its lessons ought to be something exciting and constantly engaging. The Hebrew writer criticized some of the early Christians for being "dull of hearing" and therefore, not receptive to the inspired explanations being offered (Hebrews 5:11). If we're not careful, we too could be like them and no longer have the kind of interest in spiritual things we should.
Learning about God isn't something that comes with great ease or with little time. Really wanting to know more about our Creator means that we'll have to be "diligent" in our studies (II Timothy 2:15). Christians who want to grow must spend the necessary time in the personal examination of the scriptures so as to gain a better understanding of them and the applications for our lives. Furthermore, Christians need to take advantage of group studies which are designed so that each person can learn from the efforts and wisdom of others. One of the reasons that a Christian might choose to neglect attending Sunday morning or Wednesday evening Bible studies is that he's grown "dull" of hearing. This ought never to be the case!
One of the greatest disservices that parents can be involved in is to not make attending all the church services a habit. Parents that debate on Saturday night whether or not they'll attend Bible class the next morning aren't parents who are showing their children how important Bible study is. Parents who allow themselves or their children to miss Wednesday evening Bible classes are setting poor examples and leading their children down the wrong path. Solomon teaches parents to "train" their children and while that involves so much more than issues of mere attendance, it certainly has to include setting priorities for their families' lives (Proverbs 22:6).
In the Old Testament, Malachi condemns the attitude of some who believed that worship and service to God were "wearisome" things (Malachi 1:13). Christians ought NEVER to consider Bible studies and worship services as wearisome events. Rather than being dull of hearing, we ought to be sharp and excited to learn all we can from God's word. In knowing more, we can live more favorably in His service. And in living more pleasing to our Father, we can be more effective in sharing His great message with others who desperately need its power.