When we’re children, we often look up to lots of people. It could be someone in our family, or maybe a teacher or someone like a youth leader. We want to be like them and we respect them. They set us an example to follow and show us right from wrong. They may even set us an example of how to live close to God and how to follow His ways. Timothy’s faith was influenced by his mother and grandmother. Paul says: ‘I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also’ (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV). The example of strong faith from Lois and Eunice inspired the faith of Timothy, someone who spread the news of God to others. And back in the Old Testament, Uzziah followed the example set by Amaziah, his father. The Bible says: ‘He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father…had done.’ Even as we get older, we still need good role models in our lives. We need people who can encourage us in our faith. People who can mentor us. And we also need to be good role models to others. We can mentor people younger or less experienced than us. But we can also simply live in a Christlike way to show others the right way to live. The Bible tells us to ‘let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts’ (Colossians 3:16 NIV). When we live according to this verse, we’ll be a great example to all we meet.

What Now?

Who has been a great role model in your life? If you can, do something to thank them today.