Lesson #9 - Being An Example To One Another

Terry Siverd
09/15/19 - Sun AM

LESSON #9 – BEING AN EXAMPLE TO ONE ANOTHER

1. How important is it to be a good role model to others?

~ Jesus charged His disciples to be SALT and LIGHT.

– Mt.5:13-16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

~ Our focus is neither to show off to others nor to show up others, but simply to show others THE WAY. Our task is to show others the Jesus way. It's really not about us, per se.

~ Discuss the negative side to, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Granted, none of us are perfect - - but can this statement amount to a cop-out? In Acts 20:35, Paul tells the Ephesian elders, “In everything I showed you...” Js.3:13b / Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

~ Do we have the fragrance of Christ? - 2Cor.2:15

~ Do we realize that we are “a letter” read by others? - 2Cor.3:2

2. Does it make you uncomfortable to say to others “Imitate Me!"

~ In your mind, does this smack of egotism?

Yet the New Testament is filled with admonitions along these lines.

1Cor.4:16 / I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.

1Cor.11:1 / Be imitators of me, just as I also am Christ.

Philp.3:17 / Brethren, join in following my example...

Philp.4:9 / The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in my, practice these things...

Titus 2:7 / In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity of doctrine, sound in speech...

Heb.13:7 / Remember those who led you...and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. ?

Read aloud 2Thess.3:6-15 ?

3. What does it mean to be “children of light” (Eph.5:8)?

~ Our MORAL BEHAVIOR is on display for others to see - - for good or bad.

Rom.13:13 / Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. cf. 1Thess.2:1-12

1Pet.1:15 / be HOLY yourselves also in all your behavior

1Cor.1:12b / in holiness and godly sincerity...we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

~ Our SPEECH - - what we say and even how we say it is observed by manner. cf. Col.4:5-6

~ Our FAITHFULNESS (attendance at worship and giving) – Heb.10:24-25.

cf. 2Cor.8:1-8 & 9:2 (your zeal has stirred up most of them).

4. Is being a good example to others an exhortation for all ages?

~ Elders must be good examples to the flock (1Pet.5:3) … “above reproach” (2Tim.3:2).

Likewise for deacons (1Tim.3:8-10) … and deaconesses (1Tim.3:11) … and widows (1Tim.5:9) …

and older men (Titus 2:2) … and older women (Titus 2:3-5) ...and the young (Titus 2:6-8 and 1Tim.4:12).

1Tim.4:15 / Take pains with these things, so that your progress may be evident to all. ?

On deck? Serving one another