LEARNING WITHOUT PRACTICE IS OF NO USE
Phil4:9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you( NLT).
When I studied for my postgraduate diploma in the field of education, we were made to undergo a compulsory teaching practice in any school of our choice.
After education students have been taught pedagogy of teaching, class control, their core subject or course, curriculum, measurement and evaluation, and other vital things that they need to know, they'll proceed to the classroom to practice those things.
The idea behind teaching practice is to ensure that they internalize what they learnt in the course of their training and gain mastery of it.
The same applies to the Christian race. There are many believers that are full of learning but they have done far lesser than the lessons they've been taught.
Some believers attend all the bible study meetings there is, they are the first to register for conferences, seminars and retreat programmes. Their notes are full but their lives does not reflect their learning.
Apostle Paul is saying you should start practicing those things you have been taught. Of what use is knowledge aquired that isn't practiced?
Your life can only benefit from God's word only to the extent at which you practice it.
Read and study your bible with the intent of practicing what you have read not just as a religious tradition. There's always something to learn and practice from scriptures.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror( James 1:22-23 NLT).
Don't attend bible study meetings because you want to mark attendance or because you want to avoid visitation by your Pastor and the brethren. Learning to practice should be your aim.
Your motive behind reading this devotional should be to learn and practice the teachings in it. You have not read our teachings until you apply them.
You may need to open your notes and read previous teachings all over again with the intent of practicing the teaching.
Father, I receive the grace to practice the things I have learnt from your word In Jesus name.