Encourage One Another - How?

Yesterday was Why Encourage One Another. Today is how to do it.

In order to understand how to encourage it helps to go back to the original Greek as we continue on. The Greek word that is often translated 'encourage' in English is parakaleo.

Now, when this word is written in the New Testament it can sometimes mean comfort. This is probably how most of us picture encouragement. When someone goes through a rough or difficult time was encourage them during their trial. The picture that comes to mind is putting our arm around the person and walking with them.

While that is a very valid picture of encouragement, it is not primarily how the word parakaleo is used in the New Testament. More often than not it is used to mean exhort or beseech or beg or urge. It is a much more active view of encouragement. Here is the picture that comes to my mind...I see a guy in a weight room on the bench press. One of the cardinal rules of the bench press is that you never do it alone. You must have a spotter to lift the weight off your chest if it becomes too heavy. However, a good spotter will do more than that. A good spotter will not only help when needed but will push you. They will push you to lift more weight than you thought you could. They will push you to lift that weight more times than you thought you could. They don't simply put their arm around you; they beg and urge you to press on.

In 2 Timothy 4:2-3 Paul writes to Timothy and encourages him to correct, rebuke, and encourage during a time when the truth is no longer sought after. He doesn't want Timothy to comfort the Christians during this time. He wants Timothy to exhort and urge them to remain grounded in the truth when the truth ceases to be sought after.

In Acts 14:22 Paul and Barnabas go around and encourage the new Christians in their faith. The two veterans know that hardships will come and they urge and beg the new converts to prepare themselves by strengthening their faith.

There are times in people's lives that they need someone to encourage them to regain their focus. Sometimes that is done through comfort. Other times it is done through exhorting each other to remain grounded in our faith.