By Deanna Patterson

Setting an example is so vital for children today. Children need to be taught good behavior, good manners, moral values, and in general how to treat others. And what better way to teach them than by example. There can be a diatribe of words, but children may or may not listen. They need to see the behavior demonstrated and lived out before them.

Titus 2:7 tells us, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good." Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ," and he encourages Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 by telling him, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

First and foremost, our walk of faith in Christ should be one that children can witness and follow. Children need to see that Christ is real and that it is possible to have a relationship with Christ by our example.

Secondly, living a life that is pure and chaste sets an example to be followed. It does no good to talk about doing good, but to actually do good. For example, what kind of precedent is set by drunkenness and carousing? It teaches children that drunkenness and carousing are acceptable, when in fact the opposite is true.

And the Bible is very clear on the subject of how we should treat others. Plainly stated, "Do to others as you would have others do to you." Another way to state this would be, "What you want done to you, do that to others." Do you want to be listened to? Then listen to others. Do you want to be remembered on your birthday? Then remember others on their birthdays? Do you want to be treated with respect, then treat others with respect.

We are also to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are told in Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." This sets an extremely important precedent for children to follow. Remember to treat a child as better will do much to help him gain an understanding of these Biblical principles and better equip him or her to apply them and practice them.

Maturity plays a large factor in whether one is able to be an example to another, whether younger or older. A mature person has the wisdom and the forethought to know that he or she should set the proper example for those who are not as mature. A mature person will take the initiative to act with good behavior and to respond with good manners. But an immature person will not care whether he or she is setting a good example or not.

The Bible has much to say on the matter of setting an example. We should live our lives so that others can see by our behavior how to act and what to believe. We should be aware that children are watching and they learn by example, and the example we set will certainly influence their future behavior.

On a final note, James 4:17 states that "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." And Luke 17:2-3 says, "It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves."

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All scripture references were taken from the New International Version Bible.