Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
In his computer science example, he wanted a “grab bag of skills” (fix Windows 98), but the program forced him into programming and accounting to build a durable “mindset”; how does this illustrate the difference between short-term usefulness and long-term wisdom, and what does it suggest about the kind of “apprenticeship” early Christians assumed disciples needed to become faithful workers?
Another way to ask: How does his move from quick “handy” computer skills to deeper training show the difference between short-term usefulness and long-term wisdom? What does that suggest about the kind of hands-on training early Christians expected disciples to have to become faithful workers?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The example shows short-term usefulness focuses on immediate, concrete fixes, while long-term wisdom forms a durable way of thinking that stays relevant when specific tools become obsolete. The transcript suggests faithful workers need something like apprenticeship—learning under those with experience who can give “big picture perspective”—though it doesn’t explicitly describe early Christian assumptions.
- He wanted only practical skills: “how do I fix Windows 98,” a “grab bag of skills… run off… get a great job.”
- The program required broader coursework: programming and even accounting, which “made no sense” to him at the time.
- He later sees the purpose: they wanted to teach “a mindset… a prepared way of looking at computers… founded in programming.”
- He explains why skills-only fails: if they focused on Windows 98/Server 2000, “all of that’s obsolete.”
- But the mindset endures: “I can still figure it out because I know how a computer works at that level.”
- He concludes novices need guidance: “you need… apprenticeship with somebody who’s been in the field,” and college ideally provides that “big picture perspective.”