Just in Time
I’ve been thinking lately about the difference between “Just in Case” and “Just in Time” learning.
For most of my life, I’ve sat in Sunday School (or any school for that matter) just sitting there like a sponge…a bump on a log. The whole thing was pretty predictable, the teacher would handout a worksheet, we’d read through the specific Bible text for that week, then we’d trudge through the worksheet, painstakingly filling in each blank and circling each correct answer. I’m not sure if the phrase was ever actually used in a class, but as I look back on those educational experiences in my faith, I want to call them “just in case” learning experiences. “Just in case” you ever need this information…
Something I’m just truly experiencing for the first time this year is something I’ve heard called “just in time” learning. Closely related to mentoring or coaching, the “teacher” sits down and essentially asks, “what issue in life do you want to work on today?” That brings my learning up to speed, makes it relevant, pushes me forward in life. The information I take away from that sort of dialogue will not sour, it will be utilized before the day is up, because it was something that was already on my mind – something I had already noticed a need for in my life’s toolbox. Learning that occurs “just in time” to use it.
So do we need both kinds of learning? Are there more than what I’ve listed here? Which technique did Jesus use? This subject has been eating at me today; so maybe I’m up for a little “just in time” learning!
