1. How do we learn?

 WE ALL learn by imitating. How did you learn to speak? You listened to your family members and imitated them. Even if we were not aware of it, we listened to those around us as they went about their daily lives and we tried to imitate them. When we grow up, we often learn a skill not just by reading about it but by observing someone who has mastered it and by imitating what we see.

2. How did we learn to serve Jehovah?

² We learned how to serve Jehovah not only by studying the Bible but also by observing real-life examples of love, mildness, and happiness shown by his faithful worshippers. The Bible encourages us to keep learning from others. (Prov. 2:20) Whom can we learn from? How do we do so? And what pitfalls should we be aware of as we observe and imitate others?

WHOM CAN WE LEARN FROM?

3. Where can we find good examples to follow?

³ The Bible contains many good examples that we can learn from. The men and women who make up the “great cloud of witnesses” of ancient times show us that it is possible to maintain faith and endurance. (Heb. 12:1) We can benefit from many modern-day examples as well. By watching video interviews, we can learn about the integrity and faithfulness of brothers and sisters whom we have never met. a (1 Thess. 2:14) And in our local congregation, we can personally observe the way our faithful fellow believers conduct themselves. We can learn from  them even if they are new in the truth or younger than we are. (Matt. 18:2-5) The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy, who was relatively young, to “become an example to the faithful ones.” (1 Tim. 4:12) Some older Christians might have taken little notice of Timothy’s example because of his youth. But they would have missed out on an outstanding opportunity to learn. Likewise today, Jehovah wants us to observe all the good examples in the congregation and benefit from them.

4. How did the apostle John use a bad example to teach important lessons?

⁴ The Bible also encourages us to learn from bad examples. For instance, the apostle John told his friend Gaius: “Do not imitate what is bad, but imitate what is good.” (3 John 9-11) In John’s day, a man named Diotrephes was “spreading malicious talk” in the congregation. Diotrephes was disrespectful, ambitious, and arrogant. John pointed to Diotrephes’ conduct to illustrate “what is bad.” That wicked man’s actions would have been upsetting to faithful Christians. Still, his bad example could have impressed on them the value of loyalty and the dangers of ambition and pride. So we can learn from good examples and from bad ones. What steps should we take to benefit from them?

BENEFIT FROM THE EXAMPLES OF OTHERS

5. What must we do to benefit from the examples of others? (Philippians 3:17-19)

⁵ Observe others. To benefit from the examples of others, we should take notice of how their decisions turn out. If the outcome is good, we may find something to imitate. If it is bad, then there may be something to avoid. (Read Philippians 3:17-19.) Still, we should remember that a bad result does not always indicate that a person acted foolishly. Sometimes, the outcome is influenced by “time and unexpected events.”​—Eccl. 9:11.

6. How does discernment help us to benefit from the examples of others? (See also pictures.)

⁶ Use discernment. We need discernment to know when and how to benefit from the examples of others. Consider, for instance, how the faithful men Gideon and Jephthah each responded when facing a similar challenge. When Gideon was confronted by hot-tempered Ephraimites, he decided to respond mildly and even to praise them for their acts of courage. (Judg. 8:1-3) Later, Jephthah was also confronted by angry Ephraimites. Would he simply copy Gideon’s example without considering his own circumstances? In Jephthah’s day, the Ephraimites were violent and rebellious, so he discerned that it was a time to stand his ground and to act decisively. (Judg. 12:1-4) Today we may face a situation that seems very similar to one that another brother has already faced. But is it really identical? Here is where discernment comes in. After weighing the matter, we may decide to follow our brother’s example or we may discern that we should handle our situation in a different way.​—Prov. 2:11.

7. How can we benefit from good examples? (See also pictures.)

⁷ Examine yourself. To benefit from  good examples, we must identify the changes we need to make, pinpoint what qualities we need to cultivate, and then learn from those who display those qualities. (2 Cor. 13:5) This does not mean that we will display those qualities in the exact same way as others do. Instead, we can benefit from their example by focusing on their good qualities while still acting in a way that is natural for us.

8. What comparisons did Jehovah have recorded in the Bible? (Job 2:3)

⁸ Learn from comparisons. The Bible at times uses comparisons to highlight examples to imitate. (1 Cor. 11:1) For instance, Noah, Moses, and Job were outstanding men. During the time when each lived, no one on earth was as righteous as Noah, as meek as Moses, or as upright as Job. (Gen. 7:1; Num. 12:3; read Job 2:3.) Noah, Moses, and Job displayed qualities that we can imitate.

9. What should we remember about the examples mentioned in the Bible?

⁹ Jehovah had good examples recorded in the Bible, not to discourage us, but to help us learn from them. He does not compare us with others in order to judge us. His judgments are based solely on his righteous standards. (Ps. 7:11) Remember that those whom Jehovah cited as worthy of imitation were not perfect, and neither are you. So do not judge yourself harshly if you fall short of someone’s good example. Jehovah is pleased when you are doing your best to serve him.​—Mal. 3:16.

10. How can we imitate those taking the lead? (Hebrews 13:7)

¹⁰ Imitate the faith of those taking the lead. Consider how we are encouraged to follow the example of those taking the lead in the congregation. (Read Hebrews 13:7.) First, we should reflect carefully on the good results of their fine conduct. Then, rather than mimic  everything they do, we can try to “imitate their faith.” To do that, we need to understand how their faith, which we cannot see, influences their Christlike actions, which we can see. How might you gain this understanding? As you observe how these brothers cope with life’s challenges, consider how their approach harmonizes with Bible principles. When appropriate, you might ask them questions to help you gain insight into their thinking and to understand how their faith influences their actions. Timothy no doubt learned from Paul by using this approach. As a result, Timothy had come to follow not only Paul’s teachings but also his faith and his very purpose in life.​—2 Tim. 3:10.

11. What must we avoid as we follow the example of others?

¹¹ We imitate those taking the lead because they display Christlike qualities. However, we should take care not to go beyond following their example and begin following them instead of following Jesus. (Matt. 23:10) Some immature Christians in Corinth did this, causing jealousy, strife, and division. (1 Cor. 3:1-4) We can avoid such problems by remembering that, above all, we want to develop “the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16) We do so by learning how he thinks and by imitating the perfect model he set.

BEWARE OF MAKING IMPROPER COMPARISONS

12. What danger is there in making improper comparisons?

¹² To benefit from good examples and avoid bad ones, we need to compare our actions with those of others to an extent. However, we should never judge  our worth based on a comparison with another person. For instance, a sister quoted in The Watchtower said: “I used to compare myself with others who seemed prettier, more effective in the ministry, and better at making friends. As a result, I felt worthless.” How can we avoid such an outcome? We need to keep our “eyes open” in order to identify pitfalls when making comparisons.​—Eccl. 2:14, ftn.

13. How can we avoid comparisons based on appearances?

¹³ Avoid comparing appearances. The impulse to focus on appearances can be powerful, even for those with strong faith. Consider the prophet Samuel. When he was sent to anoint the next king of Israel, Samuel mistakenly thought that David’s oldest brother, Eliab, had been chosen because of his tall, handsome appearance. Jehovah corrected Samuel by telling him: “Mere man sees what appears to the eyes, but Jehovah sees into the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:6, 7) Likewise, we should fight the impulse to compare appearances. To help us to do so, we can review scriptures that show that Jehovah and Jesus look primarily at what people cannot see.​—John 7:24. b

14. How can we benefit by observing someone else’s abilities?

¹⁴ Avoid comparing abilities. For example, suppose that you observe a sister who is more effective in the ministry than you are. She might be able to adjust her approach to fit her listener’s needs, to start many Bible studies, or to teach effectively from the Scriptures. Do her abilities make your service less valuable to Jehovah? No! You are both “God’s fellow workers” in the Christian ministry, a treasured privilege that Jehovah extends to each of us. (1 Cor. 3:9) So instead of feeling bad about your own abilities, try to learn from her example. Work with her in field service. As you do, observe what she does. Ask how she developed a particular skill or how you might improve. By doing so, you can benefit from her good example rather than be discouraged by it.

15. Why do we need to be realistic when we try to follow good examples?

¹⁵ Of course, we need to be realistic about how closely we can expect to follow someone’s good example. Consider an illustration. You are learning to play the piano, so you watch a concert pianist perform. You could benefit by comparing yourself with the expert​—his posture, hand position, and so forth. However, should you think, ‘I could never play that well, so I should just give up’? Certainly not! You do not need to be an expert to enjoy playing the piano. Likewise, we should be realistic when we observe the fine examples of others. Learn from them, but do not get discouraged if they have a quality or a skill that is better than yours. Jehovah asks us to give him only our best, not that of someone else.​—Col. 3:23.

16. Why is rivalry among Christians displeasing to Jehovah? (Galatians 6:4)

¹⁶ Avoid the spirit of competition. Rivalry is common in the world and drives  people to improve. (Eccl. 4:4) However, Christians avoid the spirit of competition because it is often accompanied by strife, jealousy, and envy, all of which are “works of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:19-21) The spirit of competition could move some to feel superior because of their abilities or privileges. It might cause others to feel worthless, as if they were of no use to Jehovah. (1 Cor. 12:14, 15) Some Christians in Galatia had apparently become so competitive that they risked being “annihilated by one another,” ruining their relationship with their fellow believers and with Jehovah. (Gal. 5:15, 26) To avoid a spirit of rivalry, apply Paul’s counsel found at Galatians 6:4. (Read.) Focus on your own spiritual progress. Find joy in following God’s standards more closely instead of in “winning a competition” with a fellow Christian.

17. What benefits will we gain as we imitate good examples and reject bad ones?

¹⁷ We see good examples and bad ones every day. Jehovah wants us to learn from them, imitating the good and rejecting the bad. Maintain your humility when you feel that you are doing well, and persevere when you feel that you need to improve. Continue to imitate what is good, and you will find favor with Jehovah and with all those who love him.​—Prov. 3:3, 4.