Example = a pattern or a model to be imitated or avoided.

In the case of people an example is me showing you how to do something… or vice versa.

So this morning I was reading my Bible (St. Peter’s first letter, commonly known as 1 Peter), and found this…

Peter was writing to pastors, telling them how to lead, and said, “Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example” (1 Peter 5:3).

Lead by example! In other words… do what you want those following you to do!

St. Paul said it like this, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

I see this as a parent, pastor, and personal trainer… people look at you, determine whether they want the results they see in your life, and then decide to follow or not. And this is as it should be. Why would I take advice from an overweight and weak personal trainer? Why would I take marital advice from someone who’s been divorced five times? Why in the world would I listen to a man who’s broke talk to me about finances?

I’m looking for people who are seeing results that I want to see in my life, and I am patterning my behaviors after them… so I can experience similar results!

The Bible says we should do this too! Check this out: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

Evaluate the outcome of their life… determine whether or not that’s what you want… if it is then follow their example!

And that brings me back to the word… example.

This is our greatest leadership tool! Do it… see the results… call others to do it with you! Example.