“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
The Few
Jesus speaks this immediately after washing his disciples’ feet, and it is worth noticing the specific instruction given, do as I have done, example named directly as the actual teaching method, not merely verbal instruction alone, but modeled action, meant to be genuinely, directly imitated.
This is worth examining against however much your own investment in others has relied primarily on verbal instruction, telling rather than showing, while this verse’s own model insists example itself is genuine, sufficient teaching, worth trusting as at least as significant as whatever you might otherwise merely say.
Notice this specific example was genuinely humble, an act of service, not an impressive demonstration of authority or skill, but a servant’s task, worth holding as needed correction against assuming genuine example must be inspiring or impressive rather than, as this instance shows, genuinely, humbly serviceable.
Consider today what example, not merely instruction, you are actually giving whoever you are discipling, and whether it includes this kind of genuine, humble service, the specific example Jesus chose here, rather than only more impressive or visible demonstrations of whatever you might otherwise want them to see.
Pour Into the Few
- Examine whether your discipling relies primarily on telling rather than genuinely modeled example.
- Give one specific example today, a humble act of service, not merely impressive instruction.
- Consider what your actual, daily example is currently teaching, apart from whatever you say.
Prayer
Lord, you gave an example, not merely instruction. Let me do the same for whoever I disciple, including genuine, humble service, not only impressive demonstration. Amen.
Carry this today
Example itself is genuine, sufficient teaching, not merely a supplement to verbal instruction.