Kay

“I would contend if you are exhibiting sacrificial loving service in the name of Christ, you are leading (influencing) for Christ’s sake that His fame might increase and His nature be revealed in and through you whether you are are male or female, young or old.”
sm,
I’d just like to build on your thought here. Paul said,
“Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” 1Cor 11:1 & “For yourselves know how you ought to follow us:…. but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us” 2Thes 3:7,9. As I shared in an earlier comment, “Follow” there is from the Greek “mimetai” or “mimetes” – meaning to mimic.

Another Greek word “opiso” which means “to the back” is translated as “follow” also. “Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” James and John responded to the same call and “went after him.” Jesus said, “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke14. This type of “following” is only appropriate when it is Jesus we are “following”.

Also, the Greek word “akoloutheo” which means “to be in the same way with, to accompany” is translated as “follow”. “Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead” Matt. 8:22; “And as Jesus passed forth, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him” Matt. 9:9;
“And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him” Mark 1:18.
“a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers… My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:2-5, 27. – Neither Paul nor other disciples us these two words (“opiso” & “akoloutheo) regarding “following” them personally.

Jesus uses both in one makes a very poignant statement: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, ‘If any man will come after (opiso) Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow (akoloutheito) Me’”