RUSSELL SANDERS
8-12-2025
ROLE MODELS

Christians, especially young ones, often need a role model they can follow or be mentored by. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul told these relatively new believers to “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

Paul was not trying to elevate himself into a position of control over the Corinthian church. He was setting himself simply as a role model for their benefit.

When we become believers, we also look to role models for our behavior and conduct. We also look to them for spiritual leadership, faith and doctrine.

Without a spiritual role model, or example, or leadership, we could easily get into wrong doctrine, wrong influences, or unrighteous behavior patterns.

Paul was saying to them, “As I follow Christ, so also follow my example.” Baby Christians need a mature godly person as an example for righteous living. This does not mean we put them upon a pedestal so we can be exactly like that person in every way. It means that they are only an example to show us the better way of living.

Putting any person, ministers included, on a pedestal is a subtle form of personal idolatry. Their failure could cause serious harm to your level of faith as you become disillusioned by their failure.

It is good to have a role model as long as you do not idolize them as people often do. Yet, there is much we can learn from a good role model, even if it is only a temporary or short-term role model for us.

We can also benefit from studying the lives of devout men and women historically, people like Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, Maria Etter, Aimee Semple McPherson, Kenneth E. Hagin, and many others.

Role models are good if we do not turn them into “hero worship” because there is no place for that in God’s kingdom.