Articles
Leading By Example
God has given leadership roles to various groups of people. God gives elders a role of leadership within the local church (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:2). God gives husbands a role of leadership within a marriage (Ephesians 5:22-24). God gives parents a role of leadership in relation to their children (Ephesians 6:4). Some people have an ability to lead and they are encouraged to lead with diligence (Romans 12:6-8). One of the Biblical ways one might lead others is through one’s own personal example. Let’s look at how the Bible teaches us to lead by example.
The Old Testament is filled with examples of individuals who were leaders, some good and some bad. Nehemiah is a great example of a godly leader in the Old Testament. One of the things which made Nehemiah such a great leader is the fact he led by his own personal example. Nehemiah was willing to personally go and help with rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 2:5). Nehemiah was willing to make sacrifices personally to help the people accomplish the work of rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 5:10, 14-19). Some people would think the work of a great leader is to identify the problem and get other people busy addressing the problem while they sit back and do nothing. Such is not the sort of leader Nehemiah was and such is not the sort of leader we need to be.
Elders in the New Testament lead in part by their own personal example. 1 Peter 5:3 encourages elders to rule in this manner, “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (NKJV). Hebrews 13:7 encourages us to, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (NKJV). Elders serve as an example of faithfulness which other Christians ought to follow. The qualifications given for elders describe them as individuals whose example is certainly worthy of imitation (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Elders need to take heed to themselves (Acts 20:28) because one of the major influences they will have upon the flock they are overseeing is through their example.
Husbands lead in part by their own personal example. Husbands may at times want to use their position of leadership for selfish motives or as a means to get what they want. Such is certainly not how God intends husbands to act toward their wives. Rather, husbands are commanded to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25, NKJV). Christ does not use His authority over the church as a means to satisfy His own personal desires and wants. Christ uses His authority over the church to act in the church’s best interest. Husbands and wives need to work together to make it to heaven realizing they are, “heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7, NKJV).
Parts lead in large part by their own personal example. Parents are expected to give their children instruction and at time corrective discipline (Proverbs 29:15; Deuteronomy 6:7-9). Parents do not need to shirk this area of leadership in bringing up their children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, NKJV). However, parents need to remember the great power their example has in leading their children in the right way. Paul recalls Timothy’s genuine faith which was also present in the lives of Timothy’s mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s mother and grandmother appear to not only have taught Timothy in the holy Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy 3:15) but also to have lived as examples of genuine faith before Timothy. The proverb in Proverbs 4:11 says, “I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths” (NKJV). Teaching our children the way of wisdom but it must be coupled with leading them in right paths. Children certainly learn a lot from the example we set. All the good instruction a parent may give a child will not offset the damage done by a parent setting a bad example.
Jesus is the great example of leadership and greatness. Jesus as our leader leads by example. He leads us to be obedient by being an example to us of obedience to the Father’s will (Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 5:7-9). He leads us to endure even in the midst of difficult circumstances (Hebrews 12:1-2). He leads us to serve others rather than waiting on others to serve us by being willing to serve others Himself (Matthew 20:25-28).
Let’s make sure we remember we are leading and influencing others around us by the example we set!
