You Are the Child’s First Model: Be the God-Expected Example

We are all made by influence. A content takes the shape of its container. What you have is what you will give, we are original by nature but inherit from our influences.

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We Are All Made by Influence

A content takes the shape of its container. What you have is what you will give. We are original by nature and by divine assignment, but we inherit from our influences in the process of our development. Every generation lives off its previous generation. Through the ages, by posterity, every generation has been fed, cultured, nurtured, influenced, and shaped by the generation that birthed them. That is how it has been since the beginning of the world—and that is how it will be until the end of this current world.

The Parent or Guardian: A Natural Model

Being a parent or guardian automatically places on you the role of a model to your children. In general, everyone in life is by nature a leader—a model—whether they accept it or not. By the way we act and live our lives, we influence others. Whether we do what is right before God or not, our actions and inactions have a direct or indirect impact on those within our sphere of influence. This shapes how we help others understand and engage with life. Therefore, we must be intentional about living right, as God expects, so that humanity can continue to fulfill its God-ordained purpose and remain balanced in existence. God expects us to be a good example for the children and wards in our care as He mentioned regarding Abraham in Genesis 18:19 – For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” (NIV).

What You Are Reflects in Your Child

What you are will reflect in your child or ward as you nurture them. It is your God-appointed role to train the child or ward in your care in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). This means you must first be a living example of what you want to impart to the child. Every human being is born ignorant, like a stranger in a new location, needing guidance from someone who knows the way. As parents and guardians, we are to show our children the way they should go, so their life on earth will be meaningful as God intends (Psalm 119:19 – “I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me”).

The Role of Models in Human Growth

Models are personalities we look up to. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a person who is a model is someone who constitutes, serves as, or is worthy of being a pattern to be imitated. We emulate many things from our models—sometimes physical traits, speech patterns, or aspects of their character. Children and wards look up to their parents for practically everything. It is from the accumulated life resources (spiritual, mental, physical, and otherwise) that parents and guardians have gathered that they pour into their children and wards. (Proverbs 27.17 – Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend)

Becoming the God-Expected Model

Being the God-expected living example to our children and wards (who are God’s heritage) starts from knowing and understanding God’s general expectation for every human being. God has a specific expectation for each person, and He has provided a clear human model we are to follow. While we reflect certain traits of God naturally, He has presented a human pattern to show us the kind of life He accepts—this model is Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17 – KJV).

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

In Ephesians 4:13 – KJV, this truth is reaffirmed:

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

From this passage, it is clear that the ultimate goal for every human being is to become like Jesus Christ. With this understanding, the next question is: What does becoming like Christ actually look like? During His earthly life, what did Jesus embody that we must learn and emulate?

Jesus: God’s Model for Every Human Life

From His birth to His resurrection, Jesus Christ lived as God’s ultimate example of what humanity was designed to be. His life was not just a mission of salvation but a demonstration of how every human should live.

Here are the key highlights of His life and the practical virtues we must copy to fulfill God’s expectation:

Total Surrender to God’s Will

Life Highlight: “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34).
What to Copy: Prioritize God’s will above personal interests. Seek God’s purpose daily.

Life of Prayer and Fellowship with God

Life Highlight: Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16).
What to Copy: Maintain consistent personal prayer and intimate fellowship with God.

Kingdom Mindset and Dominion

Life Highlight: “He lived with the Kingdom mindset – Work, Righteousness, Thankfulness, Faithfulness, Good Management, Dominion and being a blessing – He went about preaching to save souls(work), many believed on Him (Genesis 1:28). When it came to earthly matters, Jesus knew how to manage things, He was wise.
What to Copy: thankfulness, righteousness, being good managers, fruitfulness.

Compassion and Love for All

Life Highlight: “He went about doing good… healing the oppressed” (Acts 10:38).
What to Copy: Show love in practical ways—serve, help, forgive, and care.

Life of Holiness and Purity

Life Highlight: “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).
What to Copy: Keep thoughts, speech, and actions pure, avoiding moral compromise.

Obedience, Even Unto Death

Life Highlight: “He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
What to Copy: Be willing to obey God regardless of personal cost or sacrifice.

Selfless Service and Humility

Life Highlight: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).
What to Copy: Embrace a servant’s heart. Serve others with humility and grace.

Focused Life: Mission Above Distractions

Life Highlight: Jesus stayed focused on His life’s purpose, avoiding worldly distractions.
What to Copy: Live purposefully, putting God’s kingdom first above earthly pursuits.

Endurance in Trials and Rejection

Life Highlight: Despised and rejected by men, yet He did not retaliate (Isaiah 53:3-7).
What to Copy: Endure rejection, persecution, and trials patiently, trusting God’s plan.

In Summary: Becoming God’s Expectation

By following Jesus’ example in obedience, love, humility, prayer, focus, and surrender to God’s will, we align ourselves with God’s ultimate expectation for every human life (Ephesians 4:13).

Final Summary: You Are the Child’s First Model

As a parent or guardian, your life will shape the life of your child or ward. Children are born ignorant, needing a model to follow—and that model is you. Your words, actions, attitudes, and character will directly influence their understanding of life, of themselves, and of God.

However, to be the right model, you must first understand and pursue God’s standard for human life: Jesus Christ. God’s ultimate goal for every person is to become like Christ. This makes Jesus the perfect model for every parent, leader, and individual who desires to be the right influence in the lives of others.

Therefore: