My notebook was in my bag, nestled beside my Bible and all the random girlie things we carry when heading out into the world—lip balm, pepper spray, you know, the usual.

As my friend welcomed me into her home, I sat down and placed my bag on the chair beside me, ready to learn. But soon, our conversation took an unexpected turn.

You see, I was there because she had been teaching me how to share my faith with others. Just last month, she walked me through lesson one: sharing my testimony.

She had guided me through three key questions to build a short script or story, so when the opportunity arose to share how God saved me, I could recall it easily.

It made sense, right? We often feel intimidated because we don’t know exactly how to articulate our story. But if we had a simple way to share it, it would roll off the tongue!

If you want to share your testimony in a minute or two, ask yourself these three questions:

• Who were you before Christ? (Emphasis on what motivated you, like success, self image, etc.)
• How did you see your need for Christ?
• What did your life look like after? (Specifically how did Christ fill this motivation?)

I had written the words of my testimony in my notebook, ready for the second lesson.

But then came the surprise. She asked if I had shared my testimony with anyone since we last met. I hadn’t.

When I told her this, she said she wouldn’t teach me the next lesson until I shared my testimony with someone. She wanted me to act on what I had learned before moving forward. I was shocked.

Having been part of several book clubs, Bible studies, and discipleship relationships over the years, I had never experienced anything like this. I never had an issue coming to discipleship meetings ready to dig in. Oh, how wrong my pride was.

Maybe you’re like me, where learning is so ingrained in us. I love studying, writing things down, discussing big ideas—all that nerdy stuff. But when it comes to actually living out the doctrines I learn, I shrink back, blaming it on my introverted personality, a lack of opportunities, or simply pushing the information to the back of my mind.

But my sweet friend wouldn’t let me off the hook, and I’m so thankful for that. God knew I needed a friend like her. Sometimes we need someone to gently challenge us to grow.

We spent the next hour catching up. As always, it was a delightful time to be together!

But I left with a mission and a renewed sense of purpose. My values shifted that day. If I was going to learn about sharing my faith, I had to actually do it. Thankfully, before I left, she helped me identify a few opportunities in the upcoming week where I could put what I was learning into action.

The big takeaway is this:

Are you spending so much time learning about Bible reading, evangelism, and doctrine, but finding it difficult to live it out?

That’s where I was! I had read a fantastic book on evangelism a few years back, and it stirred my heart, showing me how much I needed to grow in this area. I flew through the book—it lit a fire in me! I underlined passages, thought deeply, and processed what I was learning.

But you know what I didn’t do? Put much of it into practice. I’m pretty sure I left a gospel tract in a Whole Foods bathroom, and that was it.

What I should have done was take the book one chapter at a time, maybe even read it with an accountability partner, and gradually put its tips into action, week by week—relying on God’s strength before moving on.

If my friend hadn’t pushed me, I wouldn’t have thought of this approach.

Another takeaway is to be a friend like this.

If you’re walking with someone through the Bible, find ways to live out what you’re learning together, so it doesn’t remain just head knowledge.

If you’re reading a book on prayer, make sure to pray together. If you’re learning about hospitality and service, serve together.

I spend a lot of time learning about spiritual growth in theory, but not nearly enough time living it out. Then I wonder in my prayer time why I can’t seem to live the life I long for in Christ.

Allow this to serve as an encouragement for the next time you go to grow in an area in your walk with God. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you in the best ways. And don’t allow knowledge to be your end, live for Christ and His glory.