GROW: Encouragement
Some Causes of Discouragement.
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Deuteronomy 1:38 But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it.
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Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
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Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
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Psalm 10:17You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
God’s plan: ______LIFE
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
God knows how much we need encouragement, He not only sent His Son.. .but He also gave us His Spirit and Word:
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Romans 15:1 (MSG)Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status.
How can we encourage:
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*Appropriate physical contact
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*______ (spoken, written, Bible verses…)
*Acts of ______:
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Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
TEN GREAT THINGS TO SAY TO BUILD SOMEONE UP
1. You are growing2. You may be down, but you’re not out
3. You have options4. You did really well 5. I forgive you
6. One thing I really admire about you is7. Here is something that spoke to me of you8. It’s never too late to make a change9. You are not alone 10. You are loved
"...And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds..." Hebrews 10:24
1. Share a time when someone provided much needed encouragement to you and the impact it had on you!
2. Why does our enemy want us to be discouraged? What difference does encouragement make - even if actual circumstances don't change?
3. How do the following lead to discouragement: Uncertainty? Hostility?Sin?Anxiety?
4. What sort of things does discouragement lead to?
5. Examine and discuss the following passages and look specifically for the example of encouragement that Jesus provides:
Matthew 8:5-13; 9:20-22; 10:26-31; Mark 1:40-41; 10:13-16;
Luke 19:1-10; John 14:16-21.
6. What can we learn from Jesus' example? How can we follow His example?
7. What other ways did Jesus encourage the people around Him?
8. Encouragement can be defined as "seeing the good and saying the good." Discuss some practical ways that we can encourage each other using the following: (*Think: How have I been / would like to be encouraged?)
...prayer?...appropriate physical contact?
...gifts?...words?
...acts of service?...presence/quality time spent with someone?
9. Take some time this week to purposefully encourage someone who is discouraged.
*Extra challenge: Share the name(s) of people you will seek to encourage this week. Check in next week!