When You Need Examples to Learn From
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.” (1 Cor. 10:11 NIV)
Edmund Burke (1729-1797) wrote:
“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” We can, and should, learn from others rather than, out of ignorance, repeat the same mistakes as they did.
The old saying, “Experience is the best teacher,” is only partly true
While we often learn from our own mistakes, it is much wiser to learn from the successes and failures of others. That is one reason God gave us the Bible. It is filled with real people facing real challenges, making real choices, and experiencing real consequences.
The Bible is loaded with examples, both positive and negative, to instruct us
Scripture contains examples to imitate and warnings to heed. We can learn perseverance from Joseph, courage from David, faith from Abraham, and obedience from Jesus. We can also learn from the failures of Saul, Samson, Judas, and others who ignored God’s instructions. The Bible records these accounts not merely as history lessons but as practical guidance for our lives today.
Wise people pay attention to examples
They observe what honors God and what leads people away from Him. Rather than repeating the mistakes of previous generations, they learn from them and choose a better path. Every day we have opportunities to follow godly examples and become examples for others.
Ultimately, our greatest example is Jesus Christ
His life shows us how to love, serve, forgive, obey, and trust the Father. The more closely we follow Him, the less likely we are to wander into the same pitfalls that trapped so many others.
Imitate godly examples — Philippians 3:17 ESV
• Be a model of good works — Titus 2:7 ESV
• Let your light shine before others — Matthew 5:16 ESV
• Learn from those who lived before us — Romans 15:4 ESV
• Follow the example of Christ — 1 Peter 2:21 ESV
• Remember and imitate faithful leaders — Hebrews 13:7 ESV
Avoid the ungodly attitudes and behaviors of the last days — 2 Timothy 3:1-5 CEB
• Turn away from those who cause division and oppose sound teaching — Romans 16:17 ESV
• Learn from Israel’s failures in the wilderness — 1 Corinthians 10:6-10 ESV
Therefore
•These things were written for our instruction and warning — 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 ESV
• Walk in wisdom toward others — Colossians 4:5 ESV
• Be imitators of God as beloved children — Ephesians 5:1 ESV
• Fix your eyes on Jesus, our perfect example — Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Quote
“In his life Christ is an example showing us how to live; in his death he is a sacrifice satisfying our sins; in his resurrection a conqueror; in his ascension a king; in his intercession a high priest.” — Martin Luther