Christ's Example in Teaching and Discipleship Practices

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example for believers in both his teaching and his discipleship practices, demonstrating a life of obedience, humility, and self-sacrifice ^{[12, 13, 14]}. His life provides a model for Christian conduct, spiritual discipline, and interaction with others.

Christ's Example in Teaching

Jesus' teaching was characterized by integrity, seriousness, and incorruptibility ^[8]. He taught with authority, and his words form the foundation of Christian doctrine ^{[9, 11, 15]}. The curriculum for his disciples, and subsequently for the church, is comprised of "all the commands of Jesus," including teachings like the Sermon on the Mount ^[15].

Beyond the content of his teaching, Jesus also modeled how to teach and learn. Even as a youth, he engaged in the customary rabbinical method of question and answer, demonstrating both understanding and a willingness to learn ^[17]. This approach allowed for a dynamic exchange between teacher and learner ^[17].

Christ's Example in Discipleship Practices

Jesus' life exemplified numerous virtues and practices that disciples are called to emulate:

Diligence: Christ demonstrated diligence in seeking God and fulfilling his mission ^[2]. This included rising early for devotion, as seen in Mark 1:35 and Luke 21:38, and being found in the temple early in the morning (John 8:2) ^[1]. Diligence is required in seeking God, obeying him, hearkening to his word, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, and guarding one's soul and heart ^[2].
Meekness: Jesus set an example of meekness, as described in passages like Matthew 11:29 and Isaiah 53:7 ^[3]. His teaching also emphasized meekness, particularly in Matthew 5:38-45 ^[3]. Meekness is considered a fruit of the Spirit, and believers are encouraged to seek it, put it on, receive God's word with it, and exhibit it in their conduct ^[3]. Ministers are specifically called to follow after meekness and instruct opponents with it ^[3].
Self-Denial: Christ's life was a profound example of self-denial, from resisting temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:8-10) to stating that he did not seek his own will (John 6:38) ^[4]. Philippians 2:6-8 describes his ultimate act of self-emptying ^[4]. Self-denial is presented as a test of devotion to Christ and is necessary for following him, engaging in spiritual warfare, and achieving triumph ^[4]. This practice involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetite, abstaining from fleshly lusts, and mortifying sinful desires ^[4].
Sincerity: Jesus was an example of sincerity, as stated in 1 Peter 2:22 ^[5]. Sincerity should characterize a believer's love for God and Christ, service to God, faith, love for one another, and overall conduct ^[5]. It stands in opposition to fleshly wisdom ^[5].
Intercessory Prayer: Christ modeled intercessory prayer, praying for his disciples (Luke 22:32, John 17:9-24) and even for those who crucified him (Luke 23:34) ^[6]. This practice is commanded for believers, who are to pray for kings, authorities, ministers, the Church, all saints, all people, and even persecutors and enemies ^[6].
Patient Endurance: Jesus is the supreme example of faithful endurance, particularly in suffering ^{[12, 14]}. His patient endurance under undeserved suffering is acceptable to God, and believers are called to endure suffering as he did ^[12]. The crucifixion itself, a shameful form of execution, was endured by Christ, who disregarded its shame ^[14]. This endurance is a key aspect of following Christ, who is described as the "champion who initiates and perfects our faith" ^[14].
Obedience: Jesus' life was marked by complete obedience to God's commands ^[2]. This obedience is foundational to Christian discipleship, as the church is to be "marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands" ^[15].

The Apostle Paul frequently pointed to Christ as the ultimate example, urging believers to imitate him, just as he himself imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) ^[10]. Paul also presented his own life as an example for others to follow, particularly in his teaching, behavior, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, and endurance of trouble (2 Timothy 3:10) ^[7]. This practice of teaching by example was highly regarded in the ancient world ^[16]. To "learn Christ" is considered the great lesson of the Christian life, encompassing both knowing Christ himself and understanding his office ^[18]. Discipleship, therefore, involves a continuous process of keeping one's eyes on Jesus, focusing on him and his work, as the basis for endurance in the Christian life ^[14].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
II Timothy “II Timothy 3:10 (BBE) — But you took as your example my teaching, behaviour, purpose, and faith; my long waiting, my love, my quiet undergoing of trouble;”
Titus “in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, -- Titus 2:7”
1 Timothy “If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, -- 1 Timothy 6:3”
I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:1 (BBE) — So take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine.”
I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (LEB) — If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness,”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 13:15: For I have given you an example,.... Christ is an example to his people, in many things; not in his miraculous performances and mediatorial work, but in the exercise of grace, of meekness, humility, love, patience, and the like; and in the discharge of duty, in submission to ordinances, and in attending on them; and in the several duties, both to them that are without, and to them that are within; and also in his sufferings and death; not that he died merely as an example, but likewise in the room and stead of his people; but here he is spoken of, as an example, in a p”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:2: 12:2 Jesus is the supreme example of faithful endurance (3:1). Our endurance in the Christian life will depend on our keeping our eyes on Jesus—staying focused on him and his work on our behalf. • Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith: Jesus has accomplished everything necessary for faith under the new covenant to be a reality. • disregarding its shame: Crucifixion was the most shameful form of execution, meant to humiliate and torture the person crucified. It was used only for slaves and criminals who were not Roman citizens. Christ treated th”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 28:20: 28:20 Teach: The disciples’ curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, chs 5–7). The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (5:17-20; 7:13-27). Jesus’ authority and presence are the basis for the disciples’ mission (see also 1:23; 18:20).”
2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:7: 3:7 Teaching by example was highly regarded in the ancient world. Paul himself provided an example by working for his own food (3:8; 1 Thes 2:9).”
Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 2:46: hearing . . . asking--The method of question and answer was the customary form of rabbinical teaching; teacher and learner becoming by turns questioner and answerer, as may be seen from their extant works. This would give full scope for all that "astonished them in His understanding and answers." Not that He assumed the office of teaching--"His hour" for that "was not yet come," and His equipment for that was not complete; for He had yet to "increase in wisdom" as well as "stature" (Luk 2:52). In fact, the beauty of Christ's example lies very much in His”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:20: learned Christ-- (Phi 3:10). To know Christ Himself, is the great lesson of the Christian life: this the Ephesians began to learn at their conversion. "Christ," in reference to His office, is here specified as the object of learning. "Jesus," in Eph 4:21, as the person.”

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