Teaching by Example
One of the worst things we can do is teach truths we’re not applying in our lives.
It may be better not to teach at all than to teach truth without modeling it.
Jesus gave some harsh warnings toward the religious leaders who did that very thing:
Do and observe whatever they [the scribes and Pharisees] tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people›so shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others (Matt. 23:3-5).
Hypocrisy has damaged many, so let’s run far from it.
James also gave a strong warning against this type of thinking. He said that if we hear the Word of God, but don’t do what it says, we are merely deceiving ourselves (James 1:22-25). He went on to say that religion without practical action is worthless (vs. 26-27). Let’s be realistic: A self-deceived teacher who practices worthless religion is probably not the best candidate for a disciple maker.
Maybe the clearest explanation of teaching by example can be found in Hebrews: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7). The author of Hebrews actually called us to consider—literally, “to examine carefully”—the outcome of a teacher’s lifestyle.
We can get so caught up in examining a person’s doctrinal positions that we overlook his or her pattern of life. But this is essential because Hebrews calls us to imitate the faith of these people. If we are going to make disciples, we need to be putting our faith into practice so that the people around us can imitate our faith.
Because of this, being a disciple maker demands your entire life.
The job description of a disciple maker is the same as that of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
