Gaylord MI SDA 09/26/2026 Tom Yaste - The Power of Simple Example

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:1 set the whole thing in place: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Paul does not point people to himself as the finish line. Paul says that he follows Christ, and he wants his life to be an example that helps somebody else follow Christ too.

Paul’s own life gives that statement some weight. Trouble came at him from every direction, beaten, robbed, stoned, shipwrecked, yet his attitude stayed up. Christ made Paul stronger through the hard things, and Paul kept talking about Him. That kind of example is not fancy. It is just a life that keeps pointing in the right direction.

The power of a simple example shows up in ordinary people too. Phil Van A Claassen gave a young worker confidence, responsibility, and respect. Rex Roseman made a kid feel valuable in a sweaty old locker room. Alan Breaky and his wife stood as spiritual guardians and provided leadership in a kind, pleasant way. Those men did not need big speeches to make a gigantic difference. Their lives said something.

Daily life speaks louder than religious words in most cases. Neighbors, children, people at the grocery store, and people at work watch what Christians do. The question is not only whether somebody knows a person goes to church on Saturday morning. The question is whether that person knows why. A simple word about church, faith, or preparation can become an opening that God uses.

Patience, kindness, and faith all become part of that example. Patience shows up when life goes bang bang bang and somebody has to wait. Kindness shows up in a kitchen, at church, in a store aisle, with a spouse, with neighbor kids, and especially with somebody who does not deserve it. Faith shows up when things look down and rotten, but Christ still has the big picture under control.

Christ’s love becomes visible through words, actions, decisions, comments, and intentions. A quiet response can be better than saying the first thing that comes to mind. Disagreement can be handled in the right way. The simple example is a life that tells people, without making a big production out of it, that Christ is real and that His people want the best for others.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Follow Christ, then be an example Paul’s example has force because Paul does not ask others to copy his personality or strength. Paul directs attention past himself to Christ, the One he follows. Christian influence stays healthy when it is not about looking good, but about making Christ easier for somebody else to see. [29:06]
• 2. Ordinary lives leave lasting marks Simple acts of trust, encouragement, and steady leadership can shape a life for years. Phil, Rex, and Alan made a difference not through grand performances, but through the way they treated people. God often uses a plain, faithful example to give somebody confidence and direction. [37:24]
• 3. Daily conduct speaks louder than words Faith is seen in places where nobody expects a religious statement, at the bank, in the neighborhood, at work, and in the store. A person’s regular habits can create a natural opening to say where that faith comes from. Witness does not always begin with a prepared speech, but with an honest life. [42:42]
• 4. Kindness shows up in little moments Kindness is not limited to polite words when everything is going well. Kindness becomes real when somebody is offended, inconvenienced, rushed, or tempted to answer sharply. A gentle response can show more of Christ than winning an argument ever could. [45:30]
• 5. Faith trusts God with the big picture Faith does not deny that some days look bad or rotten. Faith remembers that Christ has been working through difficult processes before, and He is still working now. That trust gives a believer room to keep living with patience, hope, and steadiness.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [26:57] - The Power of a Simple Example
• [28:35] - Paul’s Call to Follow Christ
• [30:09] - Paul’s Strength Through Hardship
• [31:14] - Examples That Shape a Life
• [33:27] - Phil, Rex, and Alan
• [37:42] - Are Christians Good Examples?
• [38:17] - Letting Neighbors Know Your Faith
• [41:38] - A Simple Witness at the Bank
• [43:29] - Patience and Kindness
• [47:06] - Faith and God’s Big Picture
• [48:37] - Reflecting Christ’s Love
• [49:53] - Speaking and Disagreeing Wisely
• [50:53] - Closing Prayer

1. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, whom does Paul say he is following, and where does he want those who follow his example to be led? [29:06]
2. What hardships from Paul’s life were named, and what was noticed about his attitude through those hard times? [30:09]
3. What simple actions did Phil, Rex, and Alan take that gave others confidence, value, responsibility, or spiritual direction? [34:28]
4. What everyday places and relationships were named where Christians are watched and where their example can be seen? [38:23]

1. Why is it important that Paul says, in effect, “follow me as I follow Christ,” rather than simply asking others to follow him? What keeps Christian influence from becoming about a person’s personality or reputation? [29:06]
2. Paul’s difficult experiences did not stop him from pointing others to Christ. How can hardship sometimes make a believer’s example more believable to others? [30:20]
3. Why might steady encouragement, trust, and kindness leave a deeper mark on someone than a big speech or a public display? [37:24]
4. How can a simple comment about church, faith, or Sabbath become a natural opening for a person to learn about Christ without feeling pressured? [42:35]

1. Who has been a simple but important example in your life? What did that person do—perhaps without realizing it—that helped you become stronger or more faithful?
2. If someone watched your normal week at home, work, in the store, and around church, what would they likely learn about Christ from your actions? What part of your example would you like Him to keep changing? [48:33]
3. Is there a neighbor, coworker, family member, or acquaintance who may know you attend church but does not know why your faith matters to you? What would a natural, honest conversation with that person sound like? [39:11]
4. Where are you most likely to lose patience: waiting on others, dealing with children, facing delays, or feeling rushed? What could it look like to show Christ’s patience in one specific situation this week? [43:43]
5. Think of a recent moment when someone annoyed, offended, or inconvenienced you. How did you respond? What might kindness have looked like in your words, expression, or actions? [45:23]
6. When life looks “down and rotten,” what helps you remember that God still sees the big picture? Is there a hard experience in your life that later proved to be part of God’s process? [48:01]
7. When you disagree with someone—especially at home or in church—what usually comes out first: a quick reaction, silence, or a careful response? What would help you speak truthfully while still showing that you want the best for the other person? [50:32]