Information Related to "Who Would You Follow?"
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If you were asked to follow someone, on what basis would
you decide to follow along? Would you fall in behind someone blindly
or would you want to know where he or she was going and why? Wouldn't
you also want to know if he or she was qualified to lead?
People who exhibit knowledge, skills and the character
to do what is right—even under difficult circumstances—are called "role
models." In other words, role models are people who can serve as examples
for us to imitate. Simply put, good role models are people we can safely
follow.
But how do we determine our role models? Who do you want to follow? Who would you want to imitate? Let's consider this question from a biblical point of view.
We have all heard the stories of men and women in the Bible. Perhaps you have looked at them as primarily neat stories that children enjoy. But do you realize that many of these stories were recorded so we could see role models in action?
Paul mentions the teaching power of the stories of the Old Testament saying, "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:11-12). We can safely conclude that since what is written in the Old Testament serves as an example for us today, the information that is recorded in the New Testament is instructive as well.
As we read through the Bible, we find that it is about individuals and nations. A number of the people mentioned in the Scriptures set good examples and their experiences are recorded so we can learn from them. Noah, Abraham, Ruth, David, Esther, Paul and Jesus all fall into the positive role model category. When we read the accounts of these and other individuals, we can see their examples of courage, wisdom, faith and other qualities that would be of benefit to us if we practiced their exemplary behavior.
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "Who Would You Follow?"
Other Articles by Gary Smith
Teens and peer influence: