Imitate other believers
The 5 Verbs of Learning: Risk
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Philippians 3:17
Being an imitator can have a negative connotation but the truth is that we learn most things by imitation. This is reflected in today’s verses: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” And “join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” We see various generations of examples to imitate. We teach many things in church by imitation: the way we dress, when to sit down and stand up, our terminology and our lifestyle. Many congregations seem to have their own flavor as to what is imitated by their participants.
Why is it difficult to imitate the pastor in making disciples? If the main method to make disciples is preaching, that is difficult to imitate. We don’t observe the private conversations of the pastor making disciples. We need a discipleship system that permits observation and imitation.
For Reflection:
- How is imitation risky?
- What would you like people to imitate from your life?
Make Life Count:
- Tell somebody something you want to imitate from their life and why.
- Who have you consciously imitated and what did you learn?
Thirsty for More?
- Look up the Greek word for model/pattern to find other references using the same word. What does the word mean to you?
Let’s keep imitating…
