In the context of the Bible, the term "model" can refer to an example or pattern to be followed, often in the sense of moral or spiritual guidance. The concept of modeling is deeply embedded in Scripture, where individuals, behaviors, and divine instructions serve as exemplars for believers.

Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Model

Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate model for Christians. His life, teachings, and sacrificial love are the perfect example for believers to emulate. In 1 Peter 2:21 , it is written, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps." Jesus' humility, obedience to the Father, and love for humanity are central aspects of His model.

Apostolic Examples

The apostles also serve as models for Christian living. The Apostle Paul frequently encouraged believers to imitate him as he imitated Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 , Paul states, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." Paul’s life of dedication, missionary zeal, and perseverance in the face of persecution provides a tangible example for believers.

Old Testament Models

The Old Testament is replete with figures who serve as models of faith and obedience. Abraham is often highlighted as a model of faith. In Hebrews 11:8 , it is noted, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, even though he did not know where he was going." His trust in God’s promises is a foundational example for believers.

Similarly, the life of Joseph is a model of integrity and forgiveness. Despite being sold into slavery and wrongfully imprisoned, Joseph remained faithful to God and ultimately forgave his brothers, as seen in Genesis 50:20 : "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Moral and Ethical Models

The Bible also provides models of moral and ethical behavior through its commandments and teachings. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational model for ethical conduct. Additionally, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 outline the attitudes and behaviors that characterize the kingdom of heaven, offering a model for Christian character.

Community and Church Models

The early church, as described in the Book of Acts, serves as a model for Christian community and fellowship. Acts 2:42 states, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This model emphasizes the importance of teaching, community, and worship in the life of the church.

Parental and Familial Models

Scripture also provides guidance on modeling within the family. Parents are instructed to model godly behavior for their children. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The family unit is seen as a primary context for modeling faith and values.

Conclusion

The concept of modeling in the Bible encompasses a wide range of examples, from the life of Christ to the teachings of the apostles, and from Old Testament figures to the ethical instructions found throughout Scripture. These models serve as guides for believers seeking to live a life that honors God and reflects His character.1. (n.) A miniature representation of a thing, with the several parts in due proportion; sometimes, a facsimile of the same size.

2. (n.) Something intended to serve, or that may serve, as a pattern of something to be made; a material representation or embodiment of an ideal; sometimes, a drawing; a plan; as, the clay model of a sculpture; the inventor's model of a machine.

3. (n.) Anything which serves, or may serve, as an example for imitation; as, a government formed on the model of the American constitution; a model of eloquence, virtue, or behavior.

4. (n.) That by which a thing is to be measured; standard.

5. (n.) Any copy, or resemblance, more or less exact.

6. (n.) A person who poses as a pattern to an artist.

7. (a.) Suitable to be taken as a model or pattern; as, a model house; a model husband.

8. (v. t.) To plan or form after a pattern; to form in model; to form a model or pattern for; to shape; to mold; to fashion; as, to model a house or a government; to model an edifice according to the plan delineated.

9. (v. i.) To make a copy or a pattern; to design or imitate forms; as, to model in wax.

5179. tupos -- typically
... typically. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tupos Phonetic Spelling:
(too'-pos) Short Definition: a figure, model, type Definition: (originally ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5179.htm - 7k

3402. mimetes -- an imitator
... The supreme model is God Himself (see Eph 5:1). Word Origin from mimeomai
Definition an imitator NASB Word Usage imitators (6). follower. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3402.htm - 7k

3447. moschopoieo -- to make a calf (as an image)
... to make a calf (as an image). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: moschopoieo
Phonetic Spelling: (mos-khop-oy-eh'-o) Short Definition: I make a model of a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3447.htm - 6k

5262. hupodeigma -- a figure, copy, example
... hupodeigma Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-od'-igue-mah) Short Definition: a figure, copy,
example Definition: (a) a figure, copy, (b) an example, model. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5262.htm - 6k

5179b. tupos -- the mark (of a blow), an impression, stamp (made ...
... the mark (of a blow), an impression, stamp (made by a die) NASB Word Usage example
(3), examples (2), form (2), images (1), imprint (1), model (1), pattern (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5179b.htm - 5k

4964. suschematizo -- to conform to
... 4964 (from 4862 , "identified " and , "having shape") -- properly, assuming a
similar form (expression) by following the same (model, mold). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4964.htm - 7k

578. apoblepo -- to look away from all else at an object
... 578 () expresses the activity of the astronomer who observes the heavenly motions,
or that of a painter who fixes his gaze on a model, constantly checking in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/578.htm - 8k

1811. exakoloutheo -- to follow (out, up), ie to imitate
... wholly out from," intensifying 190 , "follow") -- properly, completely follow
(literally, ""), ie closely imitating (emulating) someone as a model or leader. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1811.htm - 7k

8403. tabnith -- construction, pattern, figure
... Word Origin from banah Definition construction, pattern, figure NASB Word Usage
copy (1), form (4), image (1), likeness (5), model (2), pattern (4), plan (2). ...
/hebrew/8403.htm - 6k

1823. demuth -- likeness, similitude
... From damah; resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like -- fashion,
like (-ness, as), manner, similitude. see HEBREW damah. 1822, 1823. ...
/hebrew/1823.htm - 6k

The Model Life.
... THE MODEL LIFE. In doing anything, it is always well to have a model by
which to fashion our work. In fact, nothing is done without ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/the model life.htm

A Model of Intercession
... CHAPTER III A Model of Intercession. "And he said unto ... unceasing prayer. The
Model Intercessor is the Model Christian Worker. First to ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter iii a model of.htm

Model Speeches
... STUDY OF MODEL SPEECHES. MODEL SPEECHES, WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR THEIR STUDY. ... This is
an excellent model of dignified, well-reasoned, convincing speech. ...
/.../kleiser/successful methods of public speaking/study of model speeches.htm

After this Manner Pray;' or the Model Prayer.
... AFTER THIS MANNER PRAY;' Or THE MODEL PRAYER. 'After this manner therefore
pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven.'"Matthew 6:9. ...
/.../murray/lord teach us to pray/after this manner pray or.htm

Our Lord's Model Prayer
... X. OUR LORD'S MODEL PRAYER. What satisfaction must it be to learn from God
Himself with what words and in what manner, He would have ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/x our lords model prayer.htm

The Divine Word Our Model.
... CHAPTER II. THE DIVINE ACTION WORKS UNCEASINGLY FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF
SOULS. SECTION XII."The Divine Word our Model. The divine ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section xii the divine word our.htm

The Kingdom Conquering the World
... VI. Pattern Chapters for Church Work: 1. A Model Prayer Meeting. 2. A Model Sermon
and Revival. 6. A Model for Church Officers. 8. A Model for Personal Work. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/ix the kingdom conquering the.htm

His Childhood and Youth.
... human life from infancy to manhood, and represented each in its ideal form, that
he might redeem and sanctify them all, and be a perpetual model for imitation. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his childhood and youth.htm

Whether all Things are Life in God?
... Therefore not all things are life in Him. Objection 2: Further, all things are in
God as their first model. But things modelled ought to conform to the model. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all things are life.htm

Eve and Mary.
... said: "Behold the Man!" Jesus frequently calls Himself the Son of man in the Gospel,
that is, the Man par excellence, the Man who is the model and type of all ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter v eve and mary.htm

Model (9 Occurrences)
... may serve, as a pattern of something to be made; a material representation or
embodiment of an ideal; sometimes, a drawing; a plan; as, the clay model of a ...
/m/model.htm - 10k

Pattern (28 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Something made after a model; a copy. ... 7. (n.) A full-sized model around
which a mold of sand is made, to receive the melted metal. ...
/p/pattern.htm - 19k

Form (153 Occurrences)
... elegance; beauty. 7. (n.) A shape; an image; a phantom. 8. (n.) That by which
shape is given or determined; mold; pattern; model. 9. (n ...
/f/form.htm - 45k

Example (54 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which is to be followed or imitated as a model; a pattern
or copy. 3. (n.) That which resembles or corresponds with ...
/e/example.htm - 26k

Platform (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A plat; a plan; a sketch; a model; a pattern.
Used also figuratively. 2. (n.) A place laid out after a model. ...
/p/platform.htm - 10k

Fashion (24 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The make or form of anything; the style, shape, appearance, or mode of
structure; pattern, model; as, the fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of ...
/f/fashion.htm - 21k

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... tropically "form," "manner"; a person bearing the form or figure of another, having
a certain resemblance, preceding another to come, model, exemplar (Acts 7:43 ...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Type (12 Occurrences)
... It properly means a "model" or "pattern" or "mould" into which clay or wax was pressed,
that it might take the figure or exact shape of the mould. ...
/t/type.htm - 23k

Prayers (99 Occurrences)
... These are to be studied in connection with His teaching concerning prayer found
in the model of the Lord's Prayer, and general statements and hints to His ...
/p/prayers.htm - 51k

Writing (194 Occurrences)
... When, however, the chief took for his own necklace the actual trophy which some
members of the tribe had won, while the hunter made a wooden model of the tooth ...
/w/writing.htm - 70k

What is the Moses model of church leadership? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian be a model? Is a modeling career something a Christian can consider? | GotQuestions.org

Are mono-ethnic churches, churches that focus on a specific race or ethnic group, following a biblical model? | GotQuestions.org

Model: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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