We all need encouragement! Human-beings are hard-wired for encouragement. We need people who speak hope and build confidence into our lives so that we can consistently live in a manner that’s worthy of the Gospel of Christ (Phil 1:27). This is why God commands us to encourage others and build each other up (1 Thess 5:11). Encouragement is one of the spiritual gifts explicitly referenced in the New Testament and it’s so important that God tells us it should be a daily practice (Rom 12:8; Heb 3:13). It is fuel for our faith enabling us to persevere and overcome the hurdles we all face as we run the race marked out for us (Heb 12:1). We must find ways to encourage others because . . .
- It reminds us we need one another. The flame of faith needs to be repeatedly stoked by encouragement. Throughout the New Testament, we see how the early believers supported and emboldened one another. Paul purposefully commented on how he was personally encouraged and how encouragement filled the felt-needs of others (2 Cor 7:13; 1 Thess 3:7).
- It strengthens our faith. There is a real connection between the fellowship of the saints and the encouragement we need to live out our faith in Kingdom-advancing ways (Ecc 4:9-12; Heb 10:24-25). Our faith grows stronger in the company of spiritual friends who love Jesus and want to live for Him (Prov 27:17; Rom 1:12).
- It helps us overcome sin. Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” One of the side-effects of sin’s deceitfulness is it hardens hearts. Encouragement counteracts this and softens our hearts so that we can be more attune to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives, hear God’s truth and walk in obedience. Sin speaks lies whereas encouragement speaks life, which finds its source in God’s truth.
You can empower your small group members in their faith through encouragement, and when you model how to do it, they will be inspired to do the same for one another.
8 Practical Ways to Encourage Others in your Small Group
1. Use Scripture to remind your small group members of God’s Presence, power, and promises.
2. Make yourself available to them because it’s encouraging when you know somebody has your back (Ecc 4:9-12).
3. Affirm virtues you see in them and the impact they have on others.
4. Challenge your small group members to exercise their God-given spiritual gifts in new ways (1 Cor 12:7).
