The Church (the body of believers as a whole) gives us a picture of how encouragement should look. Though it is never perfect – it is made up of people after all – the church demonstrates the Encouragement of Words, Prayer, Giving, Action, Experience, Presence, and Hospitality. It seeks to care for one another first, and then it reaches out to serve others. Even as we have not been able to meet together in the way we are used to, we are finding new ways to encourage one another and to be The Church. Let’s take a look at how the Church demonstrates the 7 types of encouragement.
The Church Encourages with Words
Jesus is the head of the church, and He is also The Word. Believers base their faith and doctrine on the Word of God and seek to grow in and teach His Word within the church. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds when we read, study, and meditate on God’s truth – His word. As we are filled with The Word, we are able to use God’s very words to encourage others. God’s word gives us hope, courage, and life!
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Church Encourages with Prayer
The Bible encourages us to pray together and to pray for one another. As a church, we pray corporately as part of a service, but we also pray for each other as we share concerns and praises. We are encouraged when we know that others are praying for us and when we remember that God hears our prayers.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16
The Church Encourages by Giving
Giving is a natural and accepted part of church. We give tithes and offerings to God and understand that they are used to serve the church, its members, and beyond. We also give by sharing with other believers and helping them through difficult times. What encouragement to know that God is using our resources to help others and that He will also use them to help us.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
Acts 4:32
The Church Encourages with Action
We serve God by serving others – and we are specifically commanded to serve other believers. Jesus demonstrated service for us and we continue that by serving in the church, in our homes, and in our neighborhoods and the world. As we serve others, we are encouraged by knowing that we are being used by God and again when He uses others to serve us.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10
The Church Encourages with Presence
One of the things we miss most about church right now is being with our church family. Meeting by Zoom or listening to a sermon online is not the same as being present with one another. The early church set an example for us by meeting in small groups and sharing meals. Whenever possible, believers must figure out ways to be together. God uses the presence of one another to give us a feeling of peace and unity.
“(Do) not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25
The Church Encourages with Experience
As believers live a life of following Christ, they are naturally setting an example of Christian living. The church is even more intentional as believers use their experience to lead and teach and as each member shares their testimonies with one another. When we tell others about how God has worked in our lives, we are encouraged and our faith grows.
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
Titus 2:3-5
The Church Encourages with Hospitality
Whenever people are welcomed into the family of God – whether that is in the church building on Sunday morning or in another believer’s home – true hospitality is being offered. As the church extends its view of family to include all believers, the definition of home also expands.
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 4:9
Ultimately, biblical encouragement points to God – whether in word or deed. When The Church models encouragement the way God intends, it will spill out over the walls and encourage the world.