Lessons from a Sailboat 3

Lesson 3: Learn to Sail

There are two kinds of learning experiences—book learning and hands-on learning. To learn how to sail I needed both. Book learning taught me the rules of navigation, the names of the different parts of the sailboat, what the different sails and lines were used for, how to read a chart, and a whole lot more useful information. Hands-on learning enabled me to develop a skill that I did not possess before. I learned to hoist the sails, set the sails, sail using a compass, and to feel confident about my boat and myself. I learned not to panic when the boat heeled (tipped to the side). I learned to tack to windward and a whole lot more that can only be learned by doing.

In our Christian life we also need book learning and hands-on learning. The book of course is the Bible. This needs to be our primary source of learning. We can supplement this with reading from commentaries, inspirational books, devotional books, and biographies of great Christians. We also need hands-on learning to develop skills of serving, helping, encouraging, witnessing—even preaching and teaching. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in your head; it is to be lived among others as you demonstrate your Christlike qualities to those around you.

2 Peter 1:5-8

…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.