“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example” (Philippians 3:17, NLT).

When I was a music major in college, my saxophone instructor always encouraged me to listen to recordings of professional saxophone players. He told me, “Evan, if you want to become a great sax player, you have to know what ‘great’ sounds like.” In other words, he was saying I needed examples to use as patterns for my own performance.

In the same way, we need people who will serve as examples in the Christian walk. We see from the verse above that Paul determined he would be an example for his generation. I challenge you to step up to be an example for our generation!

I know it sounds pretty bold to tell people to pattern their lives after yours. However, we truly do carry such a responsibility. Paul told Timothy, “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (1 Tim. 4:12, NLT). So, ask God for the grace to be a good example, and show others what it means to follow Jesus.