Learning by mimicry is key to learning to do something well. Before you can get creative, you must master the basics by first observing someone else do them.
The child learns how to tie her shoes by watching her father tie his. The drummer learns how to do a fill by watching the veteran drummer. The newbie dancer learns steps by awkwardly shadowing his instructor. The student learns how to do math by watching the formula the teacher goes through on the whiteboard. The aspiring chef learns to cook by tasting the meals of masters. The non-native speaker learns a new language by listening and echoing native speakers.
This is the ages-old analog version of COPY / PASTE.
There is also, of course, the other tried-and-true method of learning called TRY / FAIL. That’s essential, too. COPY as faithfully as we may, we don’t always PASTE very accurately.
Not least when it comes to loving others as Jesus loved them. Laying down one’s life for one’s friends is a challenging action to mimic.
