Sermon Based Group Homework
For the message on February 16, 2020
Passage: Hebrews 10:24-25 & various passages in Acts
QUICK REVIEW
This Sunday, Mike challenged us to encourage one another by showing us the example of Barnabas. Looking back at the message, what’s one thing that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
This week we saw how Barnabas constantly encouraged others. Can you think of any ways others have encouraged you? If so, explain.
LET’S GO DEEPER
1. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, gives us another great example of encouragement. His friendship with David is found in 1 Samuel. As you read the verses below, what specific actions, attitudes or principles can we learn from Jonathan about encouraging others effectively?
1 Samuel 18:1-4 (ESV)
1 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.
1 Samuel 19:1-7 (ESV)
1 And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. 2 And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. 3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.” 4 And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. 5 For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” 6 And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.” 7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.
1 Samuel 20:12-17 (ESV)
12 And Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? 13 But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father. 14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; 15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 16 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.” 17 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
How does Philippians 2:3-4 add to what it takes to encourage others well?
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Referring to what you wrote above, how might these insights help you encourage others in the following settings? (Use only those that apply to you.)
- In the workplace
- With friends
- As a parent
2. Jesus is our ultimate model of encouraging others. What principles from this Sunday’s message do you see Jesus putting into action to encourage Peter in John 21:15-19 (don’t forget, Peter was the disciple that denied Jesus)?
John 21:15-19 (ESV)
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
3. Most of our focus this week has been on how to encourage others. Another important part of the conversation is checking to see if we are allowing others to encourage us. What do the following verses tell us about what it takes for others to be allowed to encourage us in our walk with Jesus?
Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)
22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 27:5-6 (ESV)
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 28:13 (ESV)
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Which one of these verses is most challenging for you and why?
TAKE IT HOME
1. What is your biggest takeaway from this sermon and study?
2. Do you have any prayer requests for your group?
Prayer Requests:
