Attentiveness is one of the first character qualities that we all need to develop.
As a child, learning to be attentive to the face, emotions, body language and voice of our parents is how we begin our development. Hearing words and seeing the context they have with the speaker is how we begin to associate meaning with language. Being attentive to instruction then helps us begin to understand what truth is, which leads to knowledge and understanding.
As a follower of Jesus, we are called to be attentive to God through his word, his character, and how Jesus Christ demonstrated being attentive to God the Father.
Attentiveness requires us to;
Focus - turn our audio, visual and mental attention to the person, and block out competing distractions.
Listen - take in what they are saying, their face and body language, and their emotions.
Validate - Check for understanding - say "it sounds like you .....? to validate you understand what they are wanting.
Respond - to what is being asked with agreement, disagreement or further questions.
Follow Through - If the outcome is a commitment on your part, make sure to be attentive to write it down, set a reminder or whatever is needed to meet the expectations you set.
Attentiveness is a great catalyst towards being a blessing to those in our life. It also takes effort to develop how well we demonstrate it. Some methods to develop it can include;
1. Plan 10 minutes more a day to focus on the listening to your spouse, children, a parent, or a significant friend. Turn off all media and distractions, ask how they are doing, and exercise the process listed above.
2. Plan 10 minutes or more a day to focus on listening to God. Turn off all media and distractions, read a few verses on attentiveness, praise him for ways he shows attentiveness and other character qualities to you, ask him to develop attentiveness in you and to provide you with tangible ways to show this character quality to others, write down ideas and ask God to provide wisdom on how best to apply these ideas this week.
Plan for less distractions. To do this we did not have any digital media during weekdays so that we could focus on each other, God and our mutual goals for physical and mental fitness and development.
Some verses that could be good to study and memorize include;
Isaiah 48:17-18 “This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.’ ”
Proverbs 1:5-7 “. . . let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance – for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 15:32 “He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.”
Proverbs 18:13 “He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame.”
Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 19:27 “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”
John 8:47 “He who belongs to God hears what God says . . .”
John 18:37 “[Jesus answered] ‘Everyone on the side of Truth listens to Me.’ ”
James 1:19 “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. Mark 4:24
God demonstrates the character of attentiveness to us too;
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry. Psalm 34:15
Resources
www.kidsofintegrity.com/lessons/attentiveness/memory-verses
The opposite of attentiveness is;
Antonyms
neglect
negligence