Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Model Jesus!

Dear Friend –

Modeling is one of the most potent means of building others.

Modeling sets the example.

           Provides a pattern.

                       Shows the way.

                                   Gives others a picture of what they can become.

Whom do we model? Jesus! Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" and " What you have learnedand received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I Corinthians 11:1 and Philippians 4:9

Modeling is not an option.   You model your lifestyle in front of the others in your life every single day.  The question is “What or whom are you modeling?”

Would others observing your life and patterning themselves after you, find themselves growing in the likeness of and in love for Jesus Christ and for the lifestyle He modeled?

Consider three facets of modeling:

     We model intentionally as we  give people opportunity to “see” into our lives - our devotional life, our family life, our ministry to other people.

     We model in humility.  We have many flaws as well as much to offer.  We must always remember that each of us is a pattern – Jesus is THE pattern.

     We leave the results to God. Modeling is not cloning.  Model the Christian faith before others without expecting they will live just the way you do.

REMEMBER, the Christian faith begins with trusting Jesus and in that trust we grow in the image of Jesus and become his model.

It is in trusting Jesus and in modeling Jesus that joy comes!

Joy to you – Stan  

© Copyright 2024 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

1. Who are some people whose model in your life shaped how you live today?
2. Who are some people who model Jesus to you?
3. In what ways may your improve in the way you model the person of Jesus to others?
4. Remember, the Christian faith begins with trusting Jesus and in that trust we grow in the image of Jesus and become his model.

Photo by Jordon Gonzales Unsplash https://unsplash.com/@jorbrain

"Watching You" by Rodney Atkins

https://youtu.be/2uzK3VwzraM?si=CuHKDbHNqNjPJx1a

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