We are God’s instruments, and our example is one of the greatest means of influencing those we lead. While in Thessalonica, Paul and his coworkers were careful to set an example to the new believers. They understood that their words alone would not be sufficient to form the new disciples in the lifestyle that God desires of his children.
This is a principle that we apply all the time in daily life. You might ask someone for help with your computer and get a whole lot of abstract instructions, for example: Open an explorer window, choose the context menu, execute the command relevant to the task you are busy with.
It is so much easier to follow when he sits down next to you and shows you what to do. You can actually see the file names and little yellow pictures with your own eyes; everything seems so much more real, practical, and doable! The same is true for looking after babies, fixing cars, solving mathematical problems—and for becoming disciples of the Lord Jesus.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.