Being Encouraging People in Discouraging Times
Written by Alex York
Sunday, 01 March 2009 09:00
Sermon Notes
As Christ-followers, we have two things that the world desperately needs: Authentic Encouragement and Abundant Hope.
1. Authentic Encouragement
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- Encourage: the Greek word "paracleo" is used
- para: to come along side
- cleo: to call out
- Comforting and challenging ... speaking into each other's lives
- Biblical encouragement is one of the most powerful tools we have as parents.
- Who are you encouraging?
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 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.”
– Hebrews 10:24-25
2. Abundant Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
– Romans 15:13
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
– Ephesians 3:20
- May we be so filled with hope from God that it spills over to the people around us.
- God gives us hope so that we can share it with others around us.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
–1 Peter 3:15
[Clip from Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm to a shark attack while surfing.]
God calls us to be hope givers
Small Group Questions
- What’s the most discouraging thing that happened to you in the last 30 days?
- What or who encourages you the most? How?
- As Christ-followers, we have two things the world desperately needs: authentic encouragement and abundant hope. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Hebrews 10:25 out loud. Alex said that the two sides of the “encouragement” coin are comfort and challenge. How can we balance comforting someone and challenging someone? Give an example of someone comforting and challenging you or you giving both comfort and challenge to someone else.
- When were you encouraged by someone challenging you?
- Who is God calling you to encourage right now?
- Abundant Hope: Read together Romans 15:13, Ephesians 3:20. Can you think of a time when you experienced God’s joy and peace in the midst of difficult circumstances?
- What “season” are you going through right now? What hope spurs you to keep going during this “season”?
- We are called to “drip hope” by being ready to give a reason for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15). Bethany Hamilton (the girl in the video who lost an arm in a shark attack) figured out ways to give a 5-15 second ”sound bite for Christ” to the reporters who clamored for her story. Can you think of a “sound bite” from your experiences that you could use to describe the hope within you?
Application/ Reflection Time:
Spend some time as a group praying for those around you who need encouragement, and spend time praying for each other’s needs. We as a community are designed to carry each other’s burdens. Who have you opened up to about your own discouragement? This week, call or email someone in your group and give or ask for encouragement.