Sending Path · Introduction to Serving · Lesson 3 of 7 · Encouraging One Another · about 5 min
From The Christian Life Catechism, Q53
Why do believing couples still fight?
Brothers, I couldn’t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ. I fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, you aren’t ready even now, for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 · WEB
From The Christian Life Catechism, Q71
What else does the church do for its people?
“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:15-17 · WEB
The last lesson said those who want to serve should first learn to be a good sheep. Among the sheep there is service too: encouraging one another.
The book’s Question 53 asks: why do Christians who have believed, been baptized and been saved still quarrel? The answer is direct: we are all still growing up. So the Bible says: “exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called ‘today’, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12-14) Encouraging is not the role of a few; it is everyone’s business, and it is ‘day by day’.
Encouraging includes the hardest kind to put into words. The book’s Question 71 quotes Jesus: “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone.” (Matthew 18:15-17) Notice the order: first just you and him—not telling others first, much less posting it in a group chat. “If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother” (Matthew 18:15-17)—the aim is to win back a brother, not to win an argument.
How should we say it? “you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) Gently, and remembering that you are just as weak. Proverbs says: “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1)
Encouraging is not only pointing out faults. When Peter was in prison, “constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.” (Acts 12:5) Praying for someone is often the first step in encouraging them.
Exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called ‘today’
Hebrews 3:13 · WEB
Send a brother or sister a sentence of encouragement: name one specific good thing you have seen in them.
Just this one thing. When you do it, tap that day below; if you don’t, that’s all right—try again next week.
Good. Tap each day you do it this week:
Putting down roots is not something you do alone. Find a brother or sister you trust (ideally of the same sex) and talk this question over this week:
Is there something you have long wanted to say to a brother or sister but never said? What stopped you?