TRAIL GUIDE: Encourage and Share
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
EXTREME MAKEOVER, Unit 2, Section 2, Lesson 3: Encourage & Share
The Bible mentions “one another” or “each other” some fifty times to give the body of believers instruction on how to live together. Contrary to what many of us have always thought, these passages are not directed at how we relate to the world but rather how we should relate with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Just like God gave the nation of Israel the law in order to make them stand out as “other than” in the world, He has given the church the “one anothers” as a means to bring Himself glory in the world through us.
Today we’ll look at two of these: encourage one another and share with one another. The word for encourage used here means “to come along side” and was often used by Greek writers when speaking of military reinforcements. What a wonderful picture for the Christian life! As fellow soldiers (Philippians 2:25), we are commanded to be available to reinforce, come alongside, encourage our comrades in arms. And what does a military unit on the front lines need along with reinforcements? Supplies. Sharing in the home that starts with toys, food, or valued time with mom or dad becomes sharing, or supplying the needs of (Acts 4:34-35) your fellow soldiers. Whether it be money, time, talents, skills, or other assets… bring it to the battle and share it with one another.
“One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement… It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word.” - William Barclay
“Here is my command. Love each other, just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” – John 15:12-14
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
1 Thess 5:11-14 | Acts 20:2
Romans 12:8