Be a Good Example

TITLE: Watching You
SCRIPTURE: Read: Titus 2:6-8; Colossians 1:9-10
AUDIO: listen here
THE STORY FOR TODAY:
Todd pushed away the bowl of oatmeal that Mom had placed on the table in front of him. "Oatmeal again?" he asked. "Can't I have cornflakes instead?"
"Oatmeal 'gin? Want cawnfakes!" In his high chair, Todd's little brother pushed his bowl off the tray. His mother caught it as it tumbled toward the floor.
"Danny, never do that again!" scolded Mom with a sigh. She turned to Todd. "Now I'll have trouble getting Danny to eat his oatmeal."
"Why does he always copy me?" grumbled Todd.
"Because he loves you," replied Mom. "You are his hero, and he watches everything you do."
Later that day, Mom asked Todd to take out the trash. "I'm watching TV," replied Todd with a frown. "I'll do it later." It seemed to Todd that his mother always asked him to do things at the worst possible time.
"Do it now, Todd," Mom said firmly, "or you may forget it."
As Todd reluctantly got to his feet, he mumbled a few words his mother had told him he shouldn't use. He glanced uneasily at her, but she was heading for the kitchen and didn't hear him. Todd hurried to finish his chore, and as he returned to his place, he heard Mom calling Danny. "Come pick up your toys, Son," she said.
"Watsing TV," Danny replied, not moving from his cozy position beside Todd.
"Daniel Blackburn!" said Mom sternly. "Don't make me come and get you."
Danny shrugged. Then mimicking Todd's tone, Danny repeated the words Todd had used.
Todd was horrified. "Don't say that, Danny!" he scolded. "That's a no-no. Go and do what Mom says, and don't ever use those words again!"
"Okay," agreed Danny, sliding from the sofa.
As Todd watched Danny leave, he couldn't help feeling guilty. I was a bad example to Danny, thought Todd. I never noticed before that he copied what I do and say so much! I'm going to do better! I don't want to do anything that could hurt Danny-or anyone else who might be watching!
MEMORY VERSE: Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27
HOW ABOUT YOU? Are you aware that someone is always watching you? Yes, God is-but others are, too. Is your behavior and your general attitude a good example to them? Or does your life encourage them to do something wrong? Be very careful in what you do and say. Don't influence anyone to sin against the Lord. Ask God to help you be a good example to others.
THE KEY: Be a good example