METHODS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Here is an incomplete list of things that encourage. 

1.  Reminding each other of God's many ways of providing for success in their tasks is critical to biblical 
     encouragement. Pointing out Scriptures that promise victory in obedience, or even success, can be encouraging. 

2.  Accurate feedback regarding a person's abilities and similar successful actions and accomplishments in the past 
     can be very reassuring and encouraging. People can believe in themselves in the sense of who God has created 
     them to be and how He has worked through them in the past. 

3.  Reminding the person of the critical nature of the assignment from God can encourage. Pointing out Scriptures 
     that show the criticality of the assignment can spur people on to action. 

4.  Backing the person up with prayer in the small group and during the week can be most encouraging. Some 
     groups actually lay hands on and commission group members for major tasks assigned by God. 

5.  Committing to go with the person or do it with the person can often supply that little extra courage needed. 

6.  Helping a person think how to do something can encourage. Discussing, correcting and affirming the course of 
     action can overcome reticence to obedience. 

7.  Role-playing the situation until the person is confident places courage into another. 

8.  Strong belief that the assignment is from God can create courage in another to do it. 

9.  Belief in the person's obedient heart or ability to obey with God's help can encourage. 

10. Belief in God's power to accomplish his assignments through the Christian sister or brother can certainly 
      encourage. 

11. Relatively calm assurance while discussing the assignment can communicate trust in God to do His part and in 
      the person to carry out the assignment. The lack of anxious concern encourages. 

12.  Pointing out that the worst thing that can happen is death, believe it or not, is encouraging because death has 
       been conquered by Jesus Christ. 

13. Talking about how the worst outcomes can be handled can overcome fears of action and encourage. 

14. It encourages to point out others of similar stature who have done similar assignments from God. Confident 
      Christians can benefit from the example of Bible heroes. Those less confident might not be so encouraged, not 
      seeing themselves in the "same league". 

15. Lending a vision is encouraging. Lending a vision can take the form of an "If...then" statement. Here is an 
      example: "If you talk to your mother about salvation in Christ, she might accept Christ and that would be the 
      first step of God's healing process for your whole family." 

16. Wanting heavenly rewards for the person with the assignment from God can encourage if such wishes are put 
      into words. 

17. Acting like the work of the kingdom is much more important than enjoyment of the world and acting like life 
      really does go on after death can provide courage to act. 

18. The group and those Christians who do not have to have safety, comfort and pleasure when there is something to 
      be done for the Kingdom are powerfully encouraging as examples of bravery for the faith. 

19. Showing how the Lord will be glorified by obedient action can and should encourage. 

20. Showing how the church and people will be benefitted can supply the courage to act. 

21. Setting deadlines and establishing regular accountability can encourage and motivate brave action.