Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – My Example – Philippians 3:17 – Growing As Disciples
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. Philippians 3:17 NIV
Being Watched
You are being watched. I am, by who? All those that are around you are watching you. Every person that you come into contact with has their eyes and ears tuned into you. They see all that you do. They hear all that you say. I’m not sure that I wanted to know that. Why not? Doesn’t that place a pretty heavy weight of responsibility on me? Yes, it does and probably even more so than you realize. What do you mean by that?
Your life is a message. It is, what kind of message is my life sending? Your life is suggesting to others an example of how they can live their life. There are those who are imitating you. Your life is serving as a pattern for others to follow. Now, I really feel a weight of responsibility. Why is that? I know that I am not living a perfect life. I make mistakes. I have setbacks. I sin. I am a sinner. How could I ever be a good example for others to follow?
Those admissions you just made are good examples to follow. You know that you are a sinner. You are not hiding that fact. You know that you need my forgiveness. You’re not thinking that you have or can live a sinless life. You know that you have made mistakes and have setbacks. Yet you are moving forward with me. Isn’t that also a very good example to follow? Yes, it is.
We are having this conversation together right now. Isn’t that something that sets a worthy example for others to follow? Yes, it sure is. Why do you and I have these daily conversations? We have them because you love me and I love you. I want to spend time in your presence. I want to know you and your will for my life. I want to talk to you about all the details of my life. Why is that? I don’t have all the answers. I need your guidance. I need you to teach and instruct me on how to live my life as your follower. Isn’t this also a very good example for others to follow? You are admitting to me that you need and want my help. Yes, I am. Would you be happy or sad for someone else to make the same requests of me? I would be very happy if I had any role in encouraging others to come to you for all that they need.
Do you still feel a heavy weight of responsibility knowing that others are following your example as you follow me? No, I feel more excited and encouraged. Why is that? I now know that all my life has to say is, “ follow me as I follow you.” The weight of responsibility isn’t on me at all. It is you that will mold and shape my life so that I am an example and pattern that others can follow. Yes, I will. How do you feel about that? I feel incredibly grateful that you will use my life to point others to you. Yes, I will. You can be sure of that.
Lord, only you can make my life an example that has any worth for others to follow. The only example that I can set is to rely on you completely to do all that you want to do in and through me. Use me as your witness in the world. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Character – Philippians 3-17 – My Example – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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