By Reason of Use

Learn by Doing

“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” Hebrews 5:13

Everything in life is easier to learn by doing than just by hearing about it. To become skillful in any area, you will need to do more than just reading, listening, and watching. Eventually, you will need to learn by doing.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

Bible Doctrine

A pastor who preaches sermons and goes out soul winning is more qualified to teach the Bible than some scholar who sits in an office all day. So-called theologians often don’t know as much as the average church member who is knocking doors and applying biblical principles in his business dealings and family life. It’s people who never go soul-winning who get messed up on salvation doctrine.

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who BY REASON OF USE have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14

Life Skills and Trades

When teaching others, it is important to let them actually gain hands-on experience. Let your children help cook dinner or fix the vacuum cleaner. Yes, give them the information first and supervise if needed, but then let them learn by doing. Even though I grew up watching my dad do electrical work, I became a better electrician once I had a boss that wasn’t afraid to let me mess up and gave me the opportunity to do the work myself. Yes, I made mistakes, but that was an important part of the learning process.

Foreign Language

If you’re going to learn a foreign language, you do have to study and memorize things, but once you know 20 words, you ought to start using them. You’ll advance faster by speaking right away and making mistakes than if you wait until you feel you are an expert in the language. It’s not about impressing people—it’s about learning to communicate. And don’t even get me started on these so-called Greek experts that couldn’t even order a meal if you dropped them off in Greece.

Soul Winning

Just like with learning a foreign language, when you start presenting the gospel, you might not sound very good at first. Start memorizing and underlining the verses, listen to the sermons, watch the soul-winning seminar, but there is no reason to put off becoming a silent partner. What you are studying at home will sink in better if you are actually experiencing it out in the field. If you wait until you feel completely prepared, you might never get out there. The next step is becoming a talker. Just start talking, and don’t be too proud to get stumped at the door. You can always go home and study up on a subject, so you’ll know the answer for next time.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

You do need to take in information through reading, listening, and watching, but once you’ve learned something, put it into practice right away, so you don’t forget it. Studying and being a worker go hand in hand.

Here is a sermon on Learning by Doing.