When I oversee students playing basketball, there are two things I pay attention to: 1) the players’ potential—how much they can improve and grow—and 2) the players’ fundamentals—how well they are mastering the basics.

Building proper fundamentals is very important—spiritually and physically. They apply to everything you do in life. Doing things fundamentally will allow you to reach your ultimate potential.

What is a fundamental? A fundamental is defined as “a central or primary rule or principle on which something is based.” For example, to be an effective basketball player, you need good shooting fundamentals. Becoming fundamental doesn’t just happen naturally.

Think of the small child who first shoots a basketball. It seems right to them to push the ball with two hands: The ball is easier to hold, they can push it farther, and early on they have a bit more success with that type of shot. Older, more experienced players know that kind of shooting can never work long term—it results in a low shooting percentage. If that bad habit is not replaced with correct fundamentals, the player will never reach his potential. He will be limited in his range and in the number of angles he can shoot from. A lack of proper fundamentals will always limit development.

Another example is learning to play the piano. When first learning to play, a person might become adept at playing “Chopsticks” with two fingers, but a piano player who only uses two fingers won’t be able to play very many songs. Proverbs 14:12 tells us: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Without proper fundamentals, we limit our potential. Someone, therefore, must teach you the fundamentals. Your job is to be teachable.

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isaiah 28:9-10). God is our Maker and Instructor, and He tells us the essential fundamentals in His Word. We must listen and apply them.

One translation renders verse 10 this way: “Here is how he teaches. Do this and do that. There is a rule for this and a rule for that. Learn a little here and learn a little there.” We don’t learn it all in one day; it takes time. We learn step by step, building on the foundation we have originally laid down.

Just as there is a correct way to shoot a basketball, and there is a correct way to play the piano, there is a correct way to study the Bible. We must put together all the scriptures on a specific subject. Only then can we see what the Bible really says about that subject.

In Matthew 6 Christ also gives us the fundamentals of how to pray correctly. In verse 9 Christ says, “After this manner therefore pray ye.” Jesus Christ taught His disciples so many essential fundamentals of how to live according to God’s Word. And those fundamentals are given to us as well. We must practice those fundamentals!

If somewhere along the line we miss one fundamental, it will affect our ability to develop further. When I was in fifth grade, I missed a section on math. I had done well in math up until that point. But after I missed a step, I was always trying to catch up. Everything I learned from that point on was built on a foundation that had gaps. It is vital to make sure you have all the fundamental steps in your education.

In Matthew 7, Jesus Christ said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (verse 21). You cannot shortcut the most fundamental and foundational things in life: developing a relationship with God and building godly character.

So how well are you learning the fundamentals, physically and spiritually? Do you work according to the fundamentals that you are taught? Do you work according to how your parents and teachers instruct? Do you obey God’s laws? It is all too easy to do things in a way that seems right but that actually harms us in the long run.

Notice the importance of building a fundamental foundation. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (verses 24-25). When you have a solid foundation, you can build a bigger and more stable house! You can reach your potential in this life and into eternity!

When we build our lives fundamentally on the Word of God, then we can withstand the tests and trials of life. In trying times, our foundation gets tested. It’s like in a basketball game that is getting intense—the other team is defending you full-court, and they are double teaming you. If you don’t have the fundamentals mastered, you will be overwhelmed and lose possession of the ball. But if you are fundamental, you will prevail!

“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (verses 26-27). This is the person who just hears the truth but does not live by it. In deciding on their own way, they are building their lives on shifty sand. When the pressure amplifies in their lives, they have nothing solid to hold to, and they collapse.

Trials and tests hit everyone, but only strong, godly fundamentals determine who stands and who falls. So how can we be fundamental in our lives?

First, be sure to listen. Christ told us: “heareth these sayings of mine” (verse 24). Remain teachable. Don’t think, I have it all figured out, I don’t need to worry about fundamentals. Even as you grow older, there are still basics that we have to learn because learning is a lifelong process.

Second, apply what you are taught. Christ said he that “doeth them” is a wise man. This requires spending time on practicing and perfecting God’s instruction.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Go after those fundamentals—physical and spiritual—and your potential becomes unlimited!