‍Building One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Words of Encouragement Vol. 1, No. 2

Dear Friend,

What do you say to someone facing a challenge – words you’d like to hear yourself from another person. We typically say things like, “hang in there,” “stay strong,” “keep your chin up.”

Consider the words of Jesus:

I am with you!  "I am with you always.*" Matthew 28:20*

I will help you!  "I will ask the Father, and he will give you anotherHelper." John 14:16

Take heart! "But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

And after you have faced a challenge, what words would you like to hear?

Well Done! "Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21

Jesus Christ backs each of these words of encouragement with deeds.

"I will be with you," and He is with you. "I will help you," and He really helps you.  "Take courage," and He puts His great heart right next to your frail heart. "Well done," because He recognizes what you do and He appreciates you!

How can you encourage other people? When they face challenges, use these words of encouragement and back your words with deeds:

                       I am with you!

                       I will help you!

                       Take heart!

                       Well Done!

Joy to you – E. Stanley Ott

©Copyright 2018 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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Discussion Questions and Show Notes

Discussion Questions:

1. Share a time when you were a great need of encouragement and what words that someone offered to you that lifted your spirit.
2. It was said to Job, “Your words have put people on their feet.” When people think of you – do they think of a person whose words put them on their feet? How can you grow in your capacity to put steel in people’s backbones with your words?
3. Consider how often you say, “well done,” to the people in your life – at home, work, in your community and church. How will you work to increase your powers of observation – to be aware when someone does anything of merit, whether small or large – and to increase your words of affirmation?

Show Notes:

The Unexpected Power of Building Others Up– Larry Crabb and Dan Allender https://www.amazon.com/Encouragement-Unexpected-Power-Building-Others/dp/0310336899/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526417639&sr=1-3&keywords=encouragement

The Five Love Languages– Gary Chapman

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Languages-Secret-that-Lasts/dp/080241270X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526418376&sr=1-1&keywords=five+love+languages+gary+chapman

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