A ROLE MODEL OF GOOD CHARACTER
INTRODUCTION
Over the past few weeks, we have studied some important principles about human
relationships and about character qualities that make those relationships successful.
Definition of Terms
What is a Good Character?
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(According to Building Character 1 by Maggi)
Good Character is doing the right thing to do based by the Golden Rule found in
the Bible
(According to Building Character 2 by Erik)
Good Character is CONSISTENTLY doing the right thing.
(According to Respect by Babes)
The core of all good characters is respect
What is a Role Model?
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A person looked to by others as an example to be imitated
A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be
emulated by others, especially by younger people
We all have a Role Model we look up to in life and we are all Role Models to
someone
There is no age limit on being a good role model, and even young people are called to
be models.
Who is your Role Model?
There are natural role models that occur in our lives. Parents are role models for their
children, older siblings are role models for younger, older men and women in the church
are role models for younger men and women, and pastors and church leaders are role
models for their congregations
Ultimately, JESUS is the best Role Model
He is the perfect example of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness,
kindness, gentleness, and self-control.
Jesus should be our standard in imitating good character.
3 QUALITIES OF A GOOD ROLE MODEL
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COMPASSIONATE Spend Time and meet the needs of others
SELFLESS Always put others before oneself
Consistent in making right choices.
These qualities our character traits are also demonstrated by the life of Jesus. So
this proves that indeed Jesus is the best and perfect Role Model
1. COMPASSION
caring feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others – being able to understand and
show care for others
nurturant providing physical and emotional care and nourishment – being a friend who is
responsible or accountable especially in times of need
merciful showing or giving mercy – forgiving those who have wronged you
Spend time and meet the needs of others
(verse where Jesus showed compassion)
Luke 7:11-15 NLT Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
11
Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd
followed him. 12 A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village
gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from
the village was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with
compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it,
and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15 Then the dead
boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
Of course as humans we can show compassion by
We too, can be compassionate by spending time with people and helping them
with their needs
2. SELFLESS
Always put others before oneself
(Verse where Christ put others before oneself)
Ephesians 5:2 NIV “Christ gave himself for us”
2
and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant
offering and sacrifice to God.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
3. ABLE TO MAKE GOOD CHOICES IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
John 6:38 NLT
8
For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.
doing God’s will involves a series of continuous choices to do right.
It is interesting to note that Jesus also had to choose the right decision each time He
was offered a different option.
For example, when Peter tried to turn Jesus away from the suffering of the cross,
And at the Garden of Gethsemane, even though He was in intense agony, He chose to
drink the cup of the suffering of the cross and obey His Father’s will (Ref. Matthew
26:39, 42, 44).
Gethsemane (Matthew 26: 39. 42. 44)
36
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to
them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of
Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to
them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep
watch with me.”
39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is
possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
42
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be
taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
44
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Today, we have the opportunity to see these principles and character qualities
demonstrated in the life of Jesus.
Twenty centuries have passed since his death, and today he is the central figure of the
human race and the leader of the column of progress. All time is measured by his birth.
All the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever sailed, all the kings
that have ever ruled, combined, have not influenced the life of man upon earth nearly as
much as this one solitary life.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled
with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us,
a pleasing aroma to God.