“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” (Phil. 4:9, NLT).

That’s discipleship. It’s not learning new information so you can impress others with your knowledge. It’s watching godly people and how they live and speak and act, then doing what they do. It’s called practice because you won’t get it right the first time — or the thousandth time. But a lifetime of watching others and doing what they do will lead you to maturity.

The Apostle Paul got it directly from Jesus. He literally had a blinding encounter with the Messiah on the road to Damascus. Paul later says that he spent three years in the wilderness after his salvation and before he began his ministry in earnest. That’s where he learned about faith. Plus, I imagine he spent time with the other apostles and older believers who had spent time with Jesus.

It may seem arrogant for Paul to say in essence, “Do what I do,” but that’s how we learn. I never have been one to learn how to do something by reading instructions out of a book. I do best by watching someone else who knows what they’re doing. Then I basically imitate what I’ve seen.

That’s why it’s vital to be in a church community and also in a smaller group within that community. It’s best if we have people older and wiser than us to show us how to be Christians and how not only to believe but to live out what we believe in real time. Obviously, you start with the Bible, but sometimes you need help in knowing how to practice your faith in obedience.

Lord, help us to spur each other on to godliness and maturity. Keep us mindful that as we watch those we want to be like in the faith, others are watching us and seeing if what we confess is what we really believe. Keep us humble and teachable, but help us to set a good example for those who will follow after us. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.