Who was a role model for you when you were growing up? More specifically, who was a Christian role model that helped shape your faith and spiritual life?

In today’s world there are many influences including social media, peer pressure, and entertainment figures that our youth aspire to follow. Several years ago the assistant pastor at my church shared that teenagers need at least five adults who are Christian role models for them so that their faith becomes vibrant and lasting.  Having several positive faith-filled people in their lives has to make a difference in a teenager’s faith and spiritual growth. These role models include parents, youth leaders, teachers, coaches, and other adults who demonstrate a strong Christian faith and lifestyle. 

For many children and teenagers, the most important role models are their parents and caregivers. Children look up to a variety of role models to help shape how they behave in school, relationships, or when making difficult decisions. I would hope that many teens choose their parents as character role models. Parents should never overlook the important role that they play in their child’s faith development. But it isn’t always the words that they say, it’s how parents listen. And it isn’t always what they do, but the things that parents refrain from doing that are impactful as well. 

Parents aren't the only character role models out there. There are also aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings and cousins, non-family adults (like teachers), and friends that can serve as role models. Teenagers need understanding adults who will spend time with them, listen to them, and be an example of what it means to follow Jesus.

Back to one of the questions with which I started this article.  Who was a Christian role model that helped shaped your faith and spiritual life? First of all, mine were my parents who taught me the faith, saw that I went to church and Sunday School every Sunday, and gave me a dime to put in the offering plate as it passed on Sunday mornings. Also important were my two sisters, Pastor Troutman and a man named Chuck. 

I looked up to Chuck because he had played high school basketball and later served as a Sunday  School teacher for me and was our youth group leader. I could see in him his faith and his love for Jesus Christ. That made a profound impact on my life. And really, who is the best role model of all to follow? It’s Jesus. 

Who was the person that made a difference in your life? But don’t stop there in answering only that question. For whom can you be a positive role model of the faith and spend time with  young people and in doing so, point them to Jesus? Remember, your actions are just as important as the words that you say.  Maybe it’s the kid in church, your own child or relative, or the boy or girl down the street. Their future depends on it. 

 Written by: Jim Lichtenberger (retired Pastor)