Better Together: Helping Each Other to Grow

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become  conformed to the image of His Son…  Romans 8:29 (NASU)

“Encourage each other and build each other up.” 1 Th. 5:11 NIV

1. BY AFFIRMING EACH OTHER’S WORTH.

• WITH ACCEPTANCE 

“Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you...”  Romans. 15:7 (NIV)

• WITH ATTENTION

“Give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.”  Galatians 6:10 (NCV)

• WITH AFFECTION   

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Rom. 12:10 (NIV)

• WITH APPRECIATION    

            “Brothers and sisters… appreciate those who work hard

            among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.”                  1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NCV)

2. BY PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER’S GROWTH.

“Epaphras…always prays for you that you will grow to be

spiritually mature.”           Colossians 4:12 (NCV)

      “I pray…you’ll be able to feel and understand, how long,

wide, deep, and high Christ’s love really is; and to

experience this love for yourselves…”   Eph. 3:18-19 (LB)

      “I pray… you will always be eager to do right.” 

      Hebrews 13:21 (CEV)

“I pray God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and

peace while you trust in him.”  Romans 15:13

“I pray God would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation.”  Ephesians. 1:17               

“I pray that God may strengthen you with power through his spirit.”  Ephesians 3:16 & 2 Thessalonians 3:5; Romans 15:5

3. BY ADMITTING OUR OWN MISTAKES.

       “Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other.”

       Ephesians 4:25 (NCV)

Benefits of Honesty

• EMOTIONAL HEALING

“…confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed…” James 5:16 NAS

• A FRESH START

“Anyone who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful.  But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.”   Proverbs 28:13 (LB)

• GOD’S POWER TO CHANGE

“When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, God will lift you up and give you honor.” James 4:10 (NLT)

• DEEPER FELLOWSHIP

“If we live in the light…then we have fellowship with one another...”        1 John 1:7 (TEV)

4. BY ENCOUARGING EACH OTHER’S COMMITMENT.

      “Keep yourself in training for a godly life.”  1 Tim. 4:7 (TEV)

“I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.”  Rom. 1:12

      “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way

      more and more like Christ…”  Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

5. BY DISCIPLING EACH OTHER & BEING DISCIPLED.

“You have heard me teach these things that have been confirmed…. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”  2 Tim. 2:2