The importance of example is grounded first in the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ. After His resurrection, Christ told Mary Magdalene to inform His brethren that He was ascending to "My Father and your Father, My God and your God," demonstrating no selfishness, jealousy, or resentment despite the suffering He endured. Instead, He willingly shared His Father with humanity, illustrating that what one does speaks more loudly than what one says. This selfless act establishes the pattern that God the Father and Jesus Christ serve as perfect role models—not merely through their words of wisdom, but through their perfect examples backing up those words. This principle extends into human relationships, particularly fatherhood, since parents represent Christ to their children by providing either a godly or a carnal example. Two contrasting biblical illustrations from I Chronicles develop this theme. The first involves Rapha, whose sons—including Goliath—were raised as men of war trained to hate Israel. Despite repeated opportunities after each son's death in battle to recognize that a mightier God was at work and to change course, Rapha never provided his surviving sons with an example of humility or repentance. Each son also bore individual responsibility as an adult to choose a different path, yet none did, and all perished in turn. The second example is Ornan the Jebusite, a man of royal descent whose people had warred against Israel for generations. Despite this history of enmity, Ornan came to recognize the true God of Israel and David as His chosen ruler. When the angel of the Lord appeared, Ornan's sons hid in fear, but Ornan himself demonstrated humility and immediate submission when King David arrived, offering not only the threshing floor but all the implements needed for sacrifice. Unlike Rapha, Ornan raised his sons without hatred toward Israel, giving them a privileged example of humility and right conduct to emulate. His sons lived, while Rapha's sons died—a clear contrast between the consequences of good and bad example-setting. Three lessons emerge from this comparison. First, verbal instruction from parents matters greatly, but it must be reinforced by a consistent, lived example. Second, every individual, upon reaching maturity and accountability, must evaluate the models given to them and make their own choices; a poor upbringing cannot serve as an excuse for continuing in wrong behavior. Third, this principle operates spiritually as well: believers are called to follow the pattern of Ornan and his sons rather than Rapha and his, always relying on the perfect example of the Father and the Elder Brother as the ultimate guide for conduct.

The importance of setting an example for our children is paramount in guiding them toward a life aligned with God's ways. As parents, we must embody a passion for God, loving Him with all our heart, soul, and strength, and keeping His Word in our hearts. By living out this passion, as David did with his unwavering trust and confidence in God when facing Goliath, we provide a powerful model of righteous living. Our example of faith, love, and adherence to God's laws becomes a gift to our children, offering them knowledge of the Scriptures, confidence, and guides for their lives. Teaching diligently also means showing our children the joy and abundant life that come from obeying God's commands. Just as Mickey Mantle's father instilled a love for baseball in him from infancy through consistent teaching and example, we must diligently teach our children about God's Kingdom and the wonders of living by His laws. When we demonstrate genuine care, stop to listen, and engage with them eye-to-eye, we convey that they are valued, reinforcing the lessons of God's love and care. Our unique relationship as parents allows us to build a wall of protection through faith, helping our children resist the selfish and false ideas of the world. If we do not teach them God's Word and way, who will?