Lifestyle is made up of actions, words, attitudes, as well as behavior. Another word for example is model. If I like a chair, I see in someone’s house I might ask a carpenter to use that model to make me a chair just like it. In a strong family parents are the models that their children see every day. Good parents want their children to develop certain characteristics. If parents want and expect their children to respect other people, then the parents will be examples of respect to others. An example by the parents of obedience to God and those in positions of authority will set the model for their children to follow. Parents can be a negative example before their children in the words they say, their attitudes and facial expressions, their behaviors. A strong family grows because of the good influences seen in the home, at work, in relationships, and attitudes.
“I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you.” (John 13:14-15)
Jesus washed the feet of His apostles. They didn’t understand why He did that. Jesus explained it to them. He did that to be a model or an example of how they, and we, should serve one another. A husband should learn to serve his wife just as she serves him. It is not saying one is the lord, and one is the servant. In a strong family we all serve one another because we love one another and want the best for each other.