Encourage and Encouraged

S- Romans 1

S-"I am eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours." Romans 1:12

A- let our faith be an encouragement 

L- The Good News brings great encouragement

    Paul was always encouraging believers everywhere.  If you study his letters encouragement is weaves all throughout them. 

Why is encouragement important?

  Better yet why is Scriptural encouragement important?

        It builds us up in our faith.

        It keeps us strengthened

        It gives us courage to stand firm and to continue spreading the Good News

        It places our attention on Christ's goodness and faithfulness.

        It brings hope

Scriptural encouragement is so much better than worldly encouragement.

Do you know the difference between the two?

Let's look and see we can apply Paul's encouragement to the Christians in Rome and the Churches in Galatia.

Romans 1:8-"Let me first of all say that your faith in God is becoming known throughout the world. How I thank God through Jesus Christ for each one of you. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son." 

Galatians 1:3-5-"May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. Amen." 

We can use these two Scriptures to encourage one another and to be encouraged.

Ways to Encourage

   -Focus on areas their faith is growing
   -Tell them how thankful you are for them
   -Pray with them (It speaks volumes when you actually stop and pray instead of just say you will pray)
   -Show them grace, and pray God's grace over them.
   -Share with them, remind them, and tell them what Christ did for them and that they have been rescued from this evil world.

    -Then together praise God for His love and kindness.

Ways we are Encouraged

   -When we encourage with God's Word, His love and encouragement falls back upon us.
   -When we encourage others, our eyes are off of ourselves and our hearts begin to fill up with joy.
   -We too are rescued
   -The faith of our brothers and sisters supplies us with the same courage, strength, hope, and ability to keep standing firm.

How can you encourage someone with the Word of God?

S-Let's share encouragement with one another today.