Top Model 03.16.
08
1
(Heaven’s Next) Top Model
Hebrews13:7
Because I found my teachers nice and likeable, I imitated them.
Objective: At the end of the preaching, congregation must
Our scripture verse simply tells us to imitate our leaders if we
understand:
judge them as models of good (Christian) behavior.
1. Modeling: Influence of people in authority;
Discipleship/Mentoring;
Paul told the Hebrews to consider the outcome of their leaders’
All of us are models.
lives, and (if their leaders are truly living according to God’s
2. Top Model: What does it take to be a (top) model?
will) to imitate their faith.
3. Supermodel: Our ultimate model is Jesus Christ!
♦ Discipleship/Mentoring
Read Text
A few years ago, Discipleship Groups was introduced in
BFGFC Youth Ministry. Unlike in cell groups where leaders
Hebrews 13:7
deal with a collective group, D-groups involve a more personal
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.
approach in nurturing a baby Christian. Each leader took a
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their
member for a one-on-one discipleship series where they get to
faith.
have a more personal discussion, thus being able to closely
monitor the disciplee’s spiritual growth.
Opening Prayer
This leads to mentoring, where the discipler not only impart
biblical truths and concepts to the disciplee but also life truths
♦ Illust: (In the eyes of a child, a teacher is someone to and principles (“Mini-Me”s).
imitate.)
Discipleship / mentoring is obviously a biblical concept.
Nursery: Ms. Adela Sim and the hard-boiled egg
Grade 2: Chinese teacher and the Rebisco Jesus had 12 disciples; Paul had Timothy; Elijah had Elisha;
Strawberry Sandwich and so on and so forth.
Sunday School: Ate Holly and the tissue/outfit
Matthew 28:19 “Go and make disciples... teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you.”
Top Model 03.16.08
2
might be your children, your officemate, your younger siblings,
In our spiritual life, it is advisable to have someone as your or your cousins, your neighbor, etc. The point is to be careful
mentor - someone who will teach you of the Christian way of the way you act because you will always be in a position to
life, someone who will correct/rebuke you, someone who will have an effect on someone’s spiritual growth or stumble.
encourage you and give you godly and biblical advice.
Wherever you are in your spiritual stage (baby Christian –
But we must be careful that those who are handling us are disciple or mature Christian – discipler), you have to be a
reliable and qualified to teach us about Christ. model!
2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence When you profess to be a Christian, you must live it.
of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to
teach others."
Satan is perfectly willing to have a person
confess Christianity as long as he (she) does
That’s why being a leader or handling a group or discipling not practice it.* [Link] quote*
someone is very hard because you always have to be a model.
Once you bear the name of Christ (Christ-ian), people will
As you step up to leadership, you are put in a position
guard your every move, waiting for the moment where you
where your every move is scrutinized. What you say, what
make a mistake, an un-Christian-like move, then use that as
you do, how you do it – everything’s being watched by those
their weapon against you.
under you.
(i.e. “Ganyan ba ang Kristyano?” or “Akala ko Kristiyano ka?
At this point, you might be telling yourself, “Ay hindi para
Bakit ganyan ka?”)
sakin ‘tong message na to because I’m not a leader of any
group.” Well let me tell you to listen very closely because
What does it take to be a Top (Christian)
All of us are leaders in our own way! Model?
*Spiritual Maturity* (Eph 4:13)
♦ “All of us are models...” a. Our goal is to be like Christ (The ultimate
supermodel )
We are all models because there is always someone who looks Eph. 5:1-2 tells us to be imitators of God and to
up to you. There is always someone who imitates you. It live a life of love.
Top Model 03.16.08
3
Phil. 2:5 tells us our attitudes must be like
Christ’s. *We cannot lead someone to where we haven’t gone to yet.
How can I be like Christ? Conclusion:
Spiritual Maturity is evidenced through your fruit!
What kind of fruit? (Gal. 5:22-23 Fruit of the Spirit) The road to becoming heaven’s next top model is not easy.
As Christ’s disciples, we are expected to bear fruit Along the way people will hurt you, condemn you, criticize
John 14:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, you, and what may be the hardest test of all is when those you
showing yourselves to be my disciples.” look up to may fail you.
b. We can attain Christ-likeness by spending time with God Or you just might be in a position where you find yourself
regularly. always failing to be a good model for those around you. No
matter how hard you try to be good, time and again, you fail
Palagi nating naririnig ito, every week ganito ang tinuturo, the test.
but are you doing it?
Don’t give up!
All of us are in the process of maturing. As long as we’re
alive, there’s room for growth. It doesn’t matter if you’re new The Bible promised grace for us so we can be top models of
in the faith or a long-time believer – everyone needs to have a His kingdom: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
regular time with God. made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
You cannot stay forever young in your spiritual life! Everything will be okay. You’ll pass the test. As long as you
Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings hold on and keep your eyes on the Ultimate Model, you will be
about Christ and go on to maturity...” able to finish the race.
Take your faith to the next level! Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before
him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and
If we do our part in developing our spiritual life then we can be sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
good role models for new believers and help lead them to
maturity.