Scoreboard: We are in the final week of this series, looking at the different habits that every growing Christ follower should be living out. These nine habits serve as the indicators and gauges of our faith. And this week’s habit is the one I might be the most passionate about because it is and the one that I’ve committed my life to trying to be excellent. Some are disciplines and some are passions. This is a passion for me

Final Habit: Encouraging – Helping friends grow in their faith. 

Proverbs 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Acts 9:26-28  26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! (His reputation was that of a persecutor and murderer) 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.  28 So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

Who do you need to give grace to right now?

Who around you needs some extra grace?

Acts 13:1-3 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen , and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

Marker: I actively participate in a Growth Group. 

Growth Group: 2-3 people meeting every month for encouragement and accountability

Growth Group Questions: 

How has God made his presence known to you this week?

What is God teaching you?

How are you responding to his prompting?

Is there someone you need to share Christ with this next week?

Is there any sin in your life that I can help you with or pray for this week?

If you don’t have someone you are meeting with regularly to have these conversations, start to pray about who that could be. Who will you commit to helping grow in their faith?

Acts 15:36-38 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” (a few months have passed) 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.  

Acts 15:39-40  39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas (who was a ‘qualified’ Roman like him), and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

2 Timothy 1:3-4  3 Timothy, I thank God for you – the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

2 Timothy 1:5-8a  5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self- discipline. 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

Marker: I pursue mentoring relationships. 

2 Timothy 2:1-2  Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Who can you ask to mentor you?

Who can you mentor?

2 Timothy 4:9-11 9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.

Marker: I offer unlimited grace to my friends. 

Application 

Who can you ask to help you grow in your faith? Who can you ask to mentor you? Who can you mentor? Who do you need to show grace towards?

God took a chance on you by giving you grace. And now he’s asking you to do the same.

You are who you are today because people encouraged you and helped you. Now God wants you to do the same in someone else.