You don’t have to look too far in the Bible or in life to see the power of example. We’re wired to be copycats. Infants learn to talk by copying. Children imitate what they see grown-ups doing, dressing up as doctors and teachers, sometimes acting as amusing mirrors to our foibles; my children can do cruel impersonations of me!  We instinctively copy fashions, manners, and behaviours. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how the process works, but we are all unconsciously shaped by example, for good and ill. When it comes to teaching the Christian life, it’s one thing to say it; it’s another thing to show it. So, Timothy saw Paul suffer for Christ and learned to do the same (2 Tim 3:10), but Abraham lied (Gen 12:13; 20:2) and Isaac, his son, followed his example (Gen 26:7).

This is why picking good examples to follow is so important in our Christian life. Our heroes are significant. It’s worth asking yourself: who are my examples?

Obviously, the Lord Jesus is our ultimate example:

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just I have done to you.
(John 13:15)

Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
(1 Peter 2:21)

When I was younger, there was a fad in which Christians wore “WWJD” bracelets. It stood for “What Would Jesus Do?”. It was a bit cheesy, and the fad was a bit simplistic, but the question itself is both valid and helpful.