Sunday: Role Models
Daily Lesson for Sunday 8th of February 2026
All of us have, at one time or another, found people we admire and want to emulate. For children, it’s especially important that they have good role models. Ideally, this would be their father and mother. As they grow, they will find other role models, perhaps connected with their chosen career or even in biographies they have read. They can also learn how various Bible characters dealt with challenges and compare them to their own life experiences.
Image © Sally Weimer from GoodSalt.com
Unfortunately, in today’s media, bad role models abound. We are bombarded with clickbait—stories detailing the salacious problems and messed-up lives of celebrities. Paul’s readers in Philippi, though of course not dealing with the internet, nevertheless faced similar challenges.
The fact is, the world Paul lived in was very corrupt, immoral, and evil, as is ours today. There has always been—and always will be, at least until the end—more than enough evil to go around. The question for us is: How do we respond to it?
Read Philippians 3:17-19. How are good and bad role models described in this passage? What keys are given to distinguish between them?
We must not miss Paul’s love toward those with whom he disagrees—he weeps over them! Notice also that he doesn’t call them his enemies but “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18). Paul recognized that much larger issues were at stake, namely, how the Cross breaks down barriers and places us all on the same level, as sinners in need of a Savior (see Ephesians 2:11-14).
Also, not to be overlooked is how Paul urges the Philippians to focus on the good examples, not the bad; to observe carefully those whose manner of life is much like his own. Interestingly, Paul uses similar language in warning the Romans to “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17, NKJV). The deceivers in Rome are described as those who “do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly” (Romans 16:18, NKJV).
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Though, of course, Jesus is the only perfect pattern, there are others who, at least in certain areas, could be good role models. At the same time, what kind of role model do you present to others? |
Typically, when we start discussing role models we Christians often skip to the bit where we say Jesus is our role model and leave it at that. And that is true, but it has consequences and corollaries that we need to consider.
One thing is that in the absence of Jesus’ physical presence, we Christians are essentially the role model that others will see and interact with. Granted we have the help of the Holy Spirit, but what does a role model imply.
Illustration time: When I became a teacher I thought I had to teach my students a lot of science and maths. I wanted my students to be knowledgeable like me. It took me a little while to learn that was not what teaching was about. I had to teach students how to use and apply the knowledge. And to do that, I had to think like a student. I had to adopt the role of a fellow student and show how to learn.
Jesus did not stay out of sight as a mystical god telling us how to live a saved life. He became human as a role model for us. When we understand that spreading the Gospel is not about teaching the things of the Gospel, but living the role, we are better able to represent Jesus to a world that is oblivious of him.
And here is something that is very important. There are those who masquerade as Christians. They look like Christians but are doing if for their own selfish reasons. Sometimes the “they” are “us”.
Jesus invites is to be role models:
… and again in my well-worn text:
We have a role to play and it is not teaching the things of the Gospel but living as examples. That requires humility and sacrifice.
Jesus did not merely teach principles for a saved life from a distance; He entered human life and modeled obedience, love, humility, and sacrifice in visible, practical ways.John 1:14 (MSG)
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory,like Father,like Son,Generous inside and out,true from start to finish.
By becoming human, Jesus demonstrated that God’s way of life is not theoretical. It is lived.
For many people, the first—and sometimes only—exposure to Jesus will be through our lives . Before people read the Bible or listen to a sermon, they observe our behavior.
This means that spreading the Gospel is not merely about transferring information, but about demonstrating a way of life.
Sometimes it is worth remembering that Jesus was a real person who ate with sinners and publicans, had a sense of humour, played with children, and wept with sufferers. He was not a walking sermon generator like an AI bot on spiritual steroids
Last week’s lesson brought us an encouragement from Paul, to put our trust and confidence in Christ alone. In today’s lesson, Paul is also encouraging us to make companies with the people God has helped to survive whatever situation that is perplexing us today in the faith – people with enduring integrity having gone through many criticism and assault defending the faith as rooted in Christ and His love alone.
Paul is suggesting that we form communities of believers of like passion that can help us grow spiritually and keep us in active service for God in souls winning.
Permit me to appreciate Elder Dr. Maurice Ashton- my role model and other brothers and sisters here in SSNET, with brilliant ideas they express in the comments section everyday. I believe that from this community of faith heaven will record good harvest, courtesy of your efforts.
Let’s identify and appreciate as a way of encouragement, those in our local churches that God is using to keep the fire burning, that way we will promote the gospel of Jesus Christ within and outside the church.
Paul’s appeal to us is found in 2Cor. 6:14-18 which says:
14. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
15. And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16. And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
17. Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
18. “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.”
Christ is our ultimate role model and through other people’s walk with Him, our faith can be made stronger in Him.
Christian role modelling is not hero-worshiping. When Paul is telling the Philippian believers to follow (imitate) him (Philippians 3:17), it is not about self-promotion. As the founder of the Philippian church, Paul had a pastoral responsibility to act as a spiritual father to a young church. Paul was not claiming moral superiority, but he wanted to act an immediate and visible example to the young believers who were living among false teachers. He was giving himself as an observable example to those who were confused as to how Christ-like behaviour and character look like. It needs to be emphasised that Christian faith is highly relational and observable. Living models demonstrates theology into practice. Doctrines which cannot be modelled in ordinary ways of life are mere empty teachings.
It is absolutely important to remember that Paul held Jesus as the ultimate (perfect) example. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1). However, he emphasised human examples in Philippians 3 for the sake of illustrating the fact that living a Christ-like life is a tangible possibility. Role modelling is a kind of signposting and not the destination. It is essential to note some of the practical and spiritual implications of Christian modelling:
1. Christian leaders must be able to model out their teachings.
2. Mature believers must be visible and imitable.
3. The church should be able to nurture the young converts through living examples
4. Doctrines become alive when they are lived out.
5. Good models help new converts to discern how practical Christian living look like.
6. A church is a family, a community and a fellowship and therefore, Christian modelling instils a sense of accountability, responsibility and integrity.
In essence, Christian modelling can be viewed as a tangible way by which Christ-like character can be lived through imperfect believers so that others can see and follow Christ.
The model of church history has been God using great men and women to pass a torch to those who followed. These great people were intentional in training another generation of godly men and women who took up after them, a clear demonstration of how timeless God is. The God of missions lives forever, and His will is that we must deliberately model His love to others, just as the role models in our lives have had a great impact on us. Paul urged the Corinthians, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1), which demonstrates what role modeling is.
Paul was and is an example after which we Christians must practice our Christian living. His prayer that the Philippian and Thessalonian Christians stand firm against the trials and temptations thrown at them was a call to mimic Paul’s attitude that enabled him to turn to God’s Word in both tough and easy times. He wanted Christians to imitate his rejoicing when persecuted. To the Romans Paul wrote, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4).
To the Corinthians he says, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts, we felt the sentence of death. But this happened so that we might no longer rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9). What made a difference in the life of Paul as a role model was total and not partial dependence on God—the One who began the good work in Paul, the One who gave Paul sufficient grace at his lowest points, and the One who strengthened Paul in his weakness.
There is nothing wrong with role models at it’s best but becomes problematic when the role model falls fails or falters. In these days of so much controversy in our churches and conferences let us move towards only Christ being the perfect model for us. The Holy Ghost is available to all of us let’s get more acquainted with His voice and His direction.
I agree with you that we have to be careful. We have to remember all role models are faulty. That being said, Paul does encourage different churches to emulate him as he emulates Christ, so there is nothing wrong with having human role models.
If we think of children, parents function as God to them for the first few years. Through their influence, children learn about God’s love, obedience, trust and so on. Early in their life, children are not capable of understanding God’s love unless it is demonstrated through a human medium. In time, they can then develop their own concept and relationship with God. Of course, many parents are faulty and this damages many children’s concepts of God. Many of use are dealing with the results of this.
Role models are inspirational. They practice virtues that others deem unecessary. Personally, my role models are those who have and continue to defend the vulnerable and the marginalized. Sometimes their actions have revolutionalized systems. God bless them. Interestingly,often theses people are not affiliated with our churches or beliefs.It is easy to be a role model when you naturally chose to do the right thing;not to impress people but to do the will of God.”Let you light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven”.
I thank God for the Role Models in my life, including those here on Ssnet.org. I look forward to reading the insights on a daily basis, which has helped me in my walk with God.
My prayer is that each of us here will continue to Jesus’s disciples so that on that day we may all go to be with Him in Heaven!!!
From legalism through debauchery, anyone can find themselves on the long list of conduct/behavior – all entirely the result of the leanings/disposition of the heart and mind – Prov.3:5-6.
Saul was zealous when protecting the integrity of the Law; even to the point of killing those who believed differently. Is it not interesting to find that the converted Paul still defends the ‘Law’, though with a better understanding? Rom.7:12; Rom.3:31.
Who or what establishes the ‘perfect pattern’ within our heart and mind to help us change our ways for the better? What caused him to leave his strong position of opposition to the Gospel to loving those he persecuted? Was it not because God touched him – opened his eyes to accept His unconditional love and forgiveness?
No ‘Bible’ was available to study and discuss, only the apostles letters to admonish those who believed in Jesus Christ to keep the Faith – show kindness to others, and humble thanksgiving for having received the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Truth.
When the Gospel’s Truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit, finds its home in our heart and mind, today as it was then, it will produce ‘good fruit’ exemplified by Paul’s letters to those the Holy Spirit touched through him – Gal.5:1-26.
From the divine perspective, being a role model can be challenging. For a Christian, being connected to the Lord has to be more important than being a role model; this will naturally follow.
In the Bible, a role model is not someone perfect, famous, or admired for success.A biblical role model is someone whose life points others to Christ.
Philippians 3:17NLT (New LivingTranslation)
“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.”
MSG (The Message)
“Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.”
NLT stresses imitation and learning from godly examples.
MSG uses imagery of a race, emphasizing direction, focus, and shared purpose.
We meant to be visible examples for others.
How can we explain the two bible verses
Romans 16:17 Keep away from those that cause division
Phil 3:18 Paul does not call them his enemies but enemies of the cross of Jesus