The 12 Rules of Life · How We Live
Model
"A life well-lived is the most powerful sermon a Slifka will ever preach."
How We Live
Model
"A life well-lived is the most powerful sermon a Slifka will ever preach."
To model Christ is the highest calling of every Slifka. It is not enough to know the truth — we must embody it. Our children, our neighbors, and the generations that follow will not remember our words as much as they will remember our lives. These twelve principles define what it means to live as a living example of Christ's character in every domain of life.
The 12 Codes of Model
1. Live What You Teach
We do not merely instruct — we demonstrate. The most powerful lesson a parent teaches is not spoken; it is lived. Our children are watching every day.
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
— 1 Corinthians 11:1
2. Character over Reputation
We pursue who we are in private, not who we appear to be in public. Character is what we do when no one is watching. We build it quietly, consistently, and faithfully.
"The integrity of the upright guides them."
— Proverbs 11:3
3. Humility
We do not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Humility is not self-deprecation — it is accurate self-knowledge before God. We serve, yield, and defer with grace.
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."
— Philippians 2:3
4. Consistency
We are the same person at home, at church, at work, and in public. Inconsistency destroys trust. We model a faith that holds in every context and under every pressure.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
— Hebrews 13:8
5. Emotional Maturity
We manage our emotions with wisdom and self-control. We do not explode in anger, collapse in despair, or withdraw in fear. We feel deeply and respond wisely.
"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls."
— Proverbs 25:28
6. Gracious Speech
We speak with kindness, truth, and purpose. Our words build up rather than tear down. We model the tongue that is a tree of life, not a fire of destruction.
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
— Colossians 4:6
7. Faithful in the Small
We honor God in the mundane, the ordinary, and the unseen. Faithfulness in small things is the training ground for faithfulness in great ones. We do not despise small beginnings.
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much."
— Luke 16:10
8. Repentance and Restoration
When we fail, we own it quickly, repent fully, and restore relationships. We model that failure is not final — and that humility after a fall is more powerful than perfection.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
— 1 John 1:9
9. Servant Posture
We look for opportunities to serve rather than to be served. We model the towel and basin — the posture of Christ who washed feet and called it greatness.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."
— Mark 10:45
10. Courageous Conviction
We stand for truth even when it is unpopular. We model the courage to hold convictions graciously and firmly, without apology and without arrogance.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous."
— Joshua 1:9
11. Gratitude as a Lifestyle
We model thankfulness in all circumstances — not as a performance, but as a genuine overflow of a heart that knows how much it has been given.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
12. Pointing to Christ
Everything we model ultimately points beyond ourselves to Jesus. We are not the destination — we are signposts. Our lives say: follow me as I follow Christ.
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
— Matthew 5:16