Imitating our Heroes who Imitate The Hero

Hebrews (12:2):

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

Paul (1 Cor 11:1):

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Father Zossima (Brothers Karamazov 1.6.2):

What is Christ's word without an example?

Guinness (The Call, 81):

Modeling—observing and copying—is vital to discipleship because of the biblical view of the way disciples must learn. There is always more to knowing than human knowing will ever know. So the deepest knowledge can never be put into words—or spelled out in sermons, books, lectures, and seminars. It must be learned from the Master, under his authority, in experience. When we read in the Gospels that Jesus chose twelve men "to be with him," their being with him was not some extra privilege they enjoyed. It was the heart and soul of their discipleship and learning.

We grow through copying deeds, not just listening to words, through example as well as precept, through habit and not just insight and information. Calling therefore creates an ethic of aspiration, not just obligation.