The Importance of Encouraging One Another
Discouraged or Encouraged?
Criticism of the church is probably at an all-time high today. It's increased over the last couple of decades, and a fair amount of it is warranted.
Much of it comes down to answering the question: Does the church exist for the people, or should people be there for the church?
Some of the answer to this question comes down to the consumerist attitude of American culture. But the church, across denominations and groups, can hold a pretty myopic and monolithic view of its place and purpose, as well as its approach.
Sadly, many Christian believers are “the Dones.” Though once involved in serving in the church, they became disenchanted, lost interest, or became discouraged for various reasons. Of course, there are “the Nones.” These are people who are unengaged and uninterested in the church.
One group has a Christian foundation, while the latter group does not have a frame of reference for God, let alone Christianity. Too often, “the Nones” have no encounters with genuine Christians in their lives.
We live in the 21st century. Things have changed in 2,000 years. It may be a futile effort to capture the simplicity and closeness of the early church, as seen in the early book of Acts, but we can learn some relevant values intrinsic to the early church and its sustainable growth.
Scripture Text
We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful.
We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.
We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. (Hebrews 10:23-25 GW)
[Context– Hebrews 10]
Key Phrase —
We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.
Dig Deeper Into the Text—
What do we need to continue doing? What should our motivation be to do so?
What are two things we need to encourage each other to do? How do you think this should be done, and what should it include?
What are we to keep doing, and in what ways do you think this should be done?
What seems to be the reason behind the urgency of this exhortation? Is this still relevant?
Things to Consider
One simple reason believers disengage from church is discouragement. Some reasons for being discouraged are warranted, but some are petty. I wonder if a fair amount of this disengagement from church fellowship is because of a lack of encouragement among believers themselves?
It may seem that genuine encouragement is a lost gift among believers. Encouragement is not flattery, nor is it the same as a “like” on social media. True encouragement is personal and specific to the person we encourage.
The church is not an institution or the building where the church meets. It's a living organism called the Body of Christ and has many members. People who are followers of Jesus. Each person has a useful and necessary place and purpose within the Body (Ephesians 4:16).
Each of us is called to encourage one another. This includes accountability and exhortation, along with gentle words of correction and comfort. Again, it's much deeper than shallow praise or congratulations.
True encouragement reminds those of us who are believers of our need to continue following Jesus together. We need one another! Especially as we see the world getting darker and more dangerous. It's one way we prepare for the Lord's return.
Here’s a review of the exhortations in these few verses of Hebrews 10, with some encouragements.
“We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith.” (verse 23) God is faithful, and we also need to be faithful.
“We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.” (verse 24) As faithful believers, we need to encourage other believers. And don’t forget to encourage pastors, church leaders, church staff, and volunteers!
“We should not stop gathering together with other believers … even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.” (verse 25) We are closer to the Lord’s return today than 2,000 years ago!
Be encouraged and be an encourager!
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life—
How is the first exhortation connected to those that follow and the ones in earlier verses?
How do you see these exhortations as relevant for believers and churches now?
In what way do they all relate to our current (American) cultural environment?
Are any of these exhortations difficult for you? Is one more difficult than the others?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
