Proverbs 25:11
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”
Q: What makes encouragement so valuable?
Encouraging words gives hope and reassurance to the person receiving them. People want to be around those who lift their spirit and bring positivity.
Proverbs 24:5 & 6
“A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
Q: Why is it so vital that you surround yourself with encouraging friends?
You will win the battles in life with encouraging friends who keep you accountable, especially when hardship strikes.
Proverbs 16:24
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Q: What is your goal in terms of becoming a great encourager?
Example: “My goal is to say at least one encouraging thing to someone each day.”
Psalms 119:50-51 & 119:97
“This is my comfort in my affection, that your word has revived me. The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from Your law.”
“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Q: In what ways does God’s Word provide encouragement to you?
Example: “I know that I am deeply loved through and that God made me unique. It is comforting to know that He is with me every step of the way”
Picture
Acts 1:8– “…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Q: How does “sharing Jesus” with lost people by your life and your words give you encouragement?
It allows me to know for certain that every person I meet has had a chance to hear the Gospel and not be eternally separated from Christ.
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Q: Why does “discipling someone” or investing deeply in someone else’s spiritual growth provide the greatest encouragement of all?
Sharing the gospel with someone is the most important job I could ever have. When we invest in others, we’re essentially saying, “I care about you eternally.”
Paul
Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Q: How are you doing in habitually encouraging those who are closest to you?
Example: “Not very well. I tend to just keep to small talk or be critical rather than encouraging those around me.”
Peter
2 Timothy 2:2 – “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Q: Who do you know that needs “the encouragement of Christ?”
Example: “One of my best friends who I have known for a long time or one of my close family members.”
Q: What do you need to do to become one that disciples that person?
First, I need to be a light of Christ in their life and gain their trust. Then, I could ask them if they desire to learn more about the Bible and Jesus and share my testimony.
APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything that has been holding you back from encouraging others?
