It is not enough to just listen. While we are learning theories, it is more important to learn how to put these theories into practice in order to guide the next step, which is practice itself. Unlike other religions, Buddhism does not mandate that you we have to be superstitious and follow blindly; Buddhism requires its followers to  trust in wisdom.

Much of the contents in the Buddhist sutras is the irrefutable truth that withstands analysis through conclusive evidence, all of which you can ponder investigate, and realize by ourselves. Through contemplation and analysis, confidence can be strengthened. After confidence has been firmly developed, not only can we help other people, but it also brings more benefit to our own practice. Therefore, the Buddha required that we learn how to think at our best, the deeper the better. Of course, if we have sufficient confidence that the Buddha’s words are true, we may follow them faithfully without judgment or discrimination. In this case, it is fine if we do not think. But, in general, for most people it is better to establish the right view through contemplation and debate.

~ Luminous Wisdom Book Series 9: The Principles of Liberation