Devotional: Someone Is Observing and Imitating You

Periodically I receive a "friend request" from someone whom I taught in a previous church. Every time I receive one of these requests I reflect back on my experiences as their leader. At times I am humbled that God gave me an opportunity to invest in their spiritual lives. Other times I am disappointed that I did not represent Christ as well as I could have. The reality is expressed in this devotional -- someone is observing and imitating you!

The writer of Hebrews knew this too well. He actually encouraged his readers to imitate their leaders whom they had observed.

Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

Do I really want those I teach to imitate my faith? Do I really want them to carefully observe the outcome of my life? What a responsibility and an opportunity!

You see, we not only live for Christ, but we live for those who are observing us live for Christ. As Bible study leaders, we are responsible, but this leads to opportunity. The opportunity is to grow in our faith so that we have a life worth observing.

We can't be perfect, but we can strive to provide a life of faith worthy of imitation by those who are observing us. I pray you will strive to live in such a way that your group will be imitating someone who is imitating Christ. May you always be aware that someone is observing and imitating you.