The theme of good example unfolds through the contrast between Christ's selfless behavior toward humanity and two Old Testament fathers whose choices shaped their sons' destinies. After His resurrection, Jesus tells Mary Magdalene to inform the disciples that He is ascending to "My Father and your Father, My God and your God," demonstrating no jealousy or grudge despite having suffered beatings and crucifixion. Instead, He willingly shares His Father with humanity, illustrating that what one does speaks more loudly than what one says. This principle applies directly to human fatherhood: parents represent Christ to their children, either providing a positive, godly example or a carnal, worldly one, and children see these physical examples more clearly and more often than spiritual ones, making their impact especially powerful. Two contrasting cases from I Chronicles illustrate this dynamic. Rapha, father of Goliath and other giant sons, raised his children as men of war trained to fight Israel. Even after Goliath's miraculous death at the hands of young David, Rapha refused to acknowledge that a mightier God was at work; he never called his surviving sons to humility or a change of course. Each son, in turn, died in battle against Israel, having chosen to continue in their father's example rather than seek another path, though as adults they bore responsibility for their own choices as well. By contrast, Ornan the Jebusite, though descended from a people who had warred against Israel for generations, demonstrated a changed heart. When the angel of the Lord appeared, his sons hid in fear, but Ornan investigated the situation and later prostrated himself before King David, offering his threshing floor, oxen, wood, and grain for sacrifice. Unlike Rapha, Ornan did not raise his sons to hate or fight Israel; instead, he modeled humility, respect for God's chosen king, and reverence for the true God. His sons were privileged to witness this example, and they lived, while Rapha's sons, following their father's pattern of hostility, all perished. These accounts yield three lessons connected to the broader message of following divine example: verbal instruction from parents matters, but it must be backed by consistent godly living. Additionally, every individual, having once been a child, bears responsibility as an adult to evaluate the models given by parents and cannot excuse poor choices by blaming upbringing. Finally, this principle extends spiritually—believers are not to follow the destructive pattern of Rapha and his sons but the humble, faithful pattern of Ornan and his sons, always guided by the perfect examples of God the Father and Jesus Christ, who backed Their words of wisdom with flawless conduct.

Believers fulfill vital roles in the church by living as examples of the doctrine they profess, working out their salvation through practical good works in daily life. The apostle Paul stresses in his letter to Titus that sound doctrine must produce good deeds and proper conduct within families, the church, and the public sphere. Those who benefit from the work of Christ become witnesses because they are filled with the Spirit, and the disciples who saw the resurrection declared Jesus Christ and God's Kingdom not only by preaching but also by living righteously and achieving good works. Christians must live as excellent representatives of God's government and ambassadors for Christ, with behavior that differs from unbelievers because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables them to renounce wickedness and live with self-control, uprightness, and godliness. Paul instructs Titus to remind members to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, and to show all humility to all men. These seven qualifications define the good citizen who submits to civil authority without compromising faith, remains cooperative in helping others, refrains from slander, avoids quarreling, considers the spirit of the law, and exercises complete self-control. Although salvation comes according to God's mercy and not by works of righteousness, a result of salvation is the need for good works, and those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain them because such actions are good and profitable. Paul warns against divisive persons who promote dissension through self-chosen opinions, urging believers to reject them after proper admonition so that time may be devoted instead to fruitful good works that meet urgent needs. By persevering in good works to family and brethren, Christians remain prepared to aid others and avoid becoming unfruitful, ensuring their lives reflect the truth they have received.