Our family recently visited Blists Hill Victorian Town, part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. I first visited nearly twenty years ago with my wife, and we promised ourselves we would bring our children back to see it.

The open air ‘museum’ is a  recreated Victorian town. We were able to exchange our money in the bank, and admire (and buy) the goods in the grocers, bakery and sweetshop. There are so many buildings it is impossible to mention everything, but to give a flavour of it: Canal Street has a General Draper and Outfitters, a Post Office, and traditionally made fish and chips in the Fried Fish Dealers. There is also much evidence of the industrial past of the area – ironworks, a foundry, brick and tile works, and a clay mine. Many costumed staff were on hand to demonstrate candle-making, tin work, printing, wood turning and much much more.

One of the most interesting experiences was in the school. Mr Quigley, the school master, rounded us all up for a twenty minute ‘lesson’, just as children would have experienced it in 1900. Much fun was to be had as he kept discipline – the children present were much better behaved than the adults – and administered his (mock) punishments. He also had us recite our four times table and introduced us to facts about the Iron Bridge. These were written on his blackboard. Mr Quigley had us repeat them parrot fashion once, after which he turned the board around and began to test us. Amazingly most could remember the details, and even more amazingly I still can as I write this more than a week later.

The bridge was erected in 1779 by Abraham Darby, costing over £6,000 and using 384 tonnes of iron. I promise I didn’t look that up on Wikipedia.

Now I’m sure that we’re all glad that things have moved on a bit since then, though I do wonder whether a return to the ‘learning by heart’ method might have something going for it. However it also made me think about how God wants me to learn from him. Am I receptive to what he is wanting to teach me? Have I a proper respect for his wisdom and authority? Am I willing to be attentive and submit to him? Am I prepared to listen to what he has to say and to accept his discipline?

Hebrews 12 reminds me I should not ‘make light of the Lord’s discipline’ and goes on to say: “Do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? . . . Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

In an age when we seem to have lost a lot of respect for one another, and especially for those in positions of responsibility, I must be careful that I don’t treat God in that way, but accept that being taught by him will involve discipline – because he loves me.