Certainly one way for a certain kind of knowledge. I believe you could memorize them all and not know much at all about Christianity in its essence. In terms of what Jesus wished you to know. And, I believe you could be illiterate and know more.
You don't practice while you are learning. You can practice only after you have learned. You wouldn't want your doctor to be a first-year medical student, or even a first-year resident.
Perhaps we have different ideas of "practice" here. I'm certainly not talking about practicing to become a priest.
The only knowledge required is the knowledge that you exist. Reading and other study only helps if it helps you observe better, with fewer distractions. Reality is the big subject, sub-topics for focus and observation can be selected, often by a director, depending on the person these can be theological or not, often a piece of scripture, but mostly it is doing, not studying in the book sense.
It's not an intellectual exercise.
There are set schools and exercises, but these are not for everyone and shouldn't be assumed to be all there is. What works for one is a distraction for another.
Useless speculation.
The only knowledge required is the knowledge that you exist
No, you are peddling some "research" to find value in Christianity.
It's not an intellectual exercise
Research and experiments are not intellectual exercises. More cafeteria BS.
There are set schools and exercises, but these are not for everyone and shouldn't be assumed to be all there is. What works for one is a distraction for another
You are all over...try sticking with verifiable facts. Maybe then we can have a meaningful conversation.