We need each other in order to become stalwart.

The Strengthening Togethers fortify believers and the church. Every believer and the church as a whole needs to be built up for whatever lies ahead in the walk of faith. It is a privilege to be included in the Holy Spirit's work of strengthening fellow believers.

The small group can strengthen believers in powerful ways that one-on-one relationships cannot accomplish. Consider how being treated as an equal by one other person makes less of an impact than being so treated by a whole group of people. Being honored by only one other person falls short of what God has in mind for His servants. Encouragement by a whole group has a much more powerful impact.

Personal growth can certainly occur in one-on-one relationships. But healthy small groups can simply help people to mature at a much faster pace. Suppose a Christian had a bad habit of snubbing others. Outside the dynamics of a small group, that kind of behavior could go on for a lifetime. But the effective small community group would deal with the problem. Outside the small group, an individual with problems dealing with others is likely to simply dismiss the constructive criticism of a single fellow believer as an unjustified attack. But the loving and thoughtful correction of the small community group is not so easily dismissed, particularly in a group where the members have already learned to love and respect one another. Expressions of caring will be offered with the criticism. If some in the group are coming on too strong in their criticism, others can ask them to back off. If someone in the group has overcome a similar problem, that information will be shared. A small group simply has many more resources, many more ways of communicating effectively, many more strengths, many more insights, and many more ways to bring about godly change than a single person, no matter how gifted.

The TOGETHERS THAT STRENGTHEN include:

Be Hospitable With One Another [22]
Treat One Another Equally [23]
Share With One Another [24]
Administer God's Grace to One Another [25]
Speak to One Another Truthfully and Helpfully [26]
Encourage One Another [27]
Honor One Another [28]
Commend One Another [29]
Spur One Another On to Love and Good Deeds [30]

An Example of The Togethers That Strengthen:

Larry had little self-respect when he first came to Community Church. He sat alone, seldom spoke and usually avoided eye contact. Because it was the policy of the church to strongly encourage each member to become a part of one of its many small group communities, Larry joined one with a diversity of ages. After Bob and Mary regularly invited him into their home to spend the day or a relaxed evening with their family, Larry began to feel more worthwhile. [22] The small group also treated him as an equal. Week after week they valued his insights on a par with the more educated members. [23]

When it came time for Larry to take a vacation, a group member offered his fishing boat and equipment, insisting Larry take them in spite of Larry's inexperience and the very real possibility that something would get ruined. Larry was very excited and felt very special to have a chance to use things he could never afford. [24] When a member of the group with the gift of exhortation merely mentioned that Larry seemed to have a very sensitive way with people, Larry realized for the first time that God had given him something special, a trust from the Holy Spirit to use for others. [25]

When some of Larry's sinful habits were discovered because of the closeness possible only through small group intimacy, the group spent an hour one night speaking truthfully and helpfully. The group member who identified Larry's subtle lust gently suggested that this kept him from being attractive to single women in the church. Naturally, Larry was defensive. But others in the group were supportive and nonjudgmental, helping him to face the truth of the observation which the whole group carefully analyzed and confirmed. Larry respected himself much more once he began to eliminate his lustful thoughts and behaviors with the help of his group. [26]

But Larry floundered in finding acceptable ways of meeting women— he was just plain scared to approach them with nothing but his unique personality. The group leader knew that only the whole group had the power to place courage in Larry. The leader also wanted to push them to a new level of obedience, so he gave the task of encouragement to the group. He merely said, "Does the group want to put some courage into our friend so he can be himself with the single women he meets?" Without any help from the group leader this time, the group members discussed how they could encourage Larry. Some members told how they had survived embarrassing moments long ago when they had been dating. Others showed Larry how he had already acted genuinely himself in group meetings and social outings. [27]

When Larry successfully acted honestly and sensitively at a singles retreat without any lustful thoughts or behavior, the whole group celebrated with a thankful prayer, brownies and ice cream, and a few "hoorays!" They honored Larry for his obedience and celebrated their shared victory. [28]

Then one Sunday night the church met for a time of congregational fellowship when the whole church could interact. During a time for praise, thanksgiving and commendation, someone in Larry's small group stood up and told the assembly that Larry could be counted on to sensitively understand if anyone needed a patient listener to help save a hurtful marriage or understand an angry teenage son or daughter. [29]

A few months later, when it came to the group's attention that a couple in the church had separated, the group gave Larry the assignment, even though he had never been married, to contact the husband and help him to see the need for repentance. Meanwhile, a couple in the group who had overcome their own trials made themselves ready to counsel the couple when Larry was successful. [30]

[22] BE HOSPITABLE WITH ONE ANOTHER

Luke 14:1214; Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2; **1 Peter 4:9**

Invite one another into your homes and activities. Show others they are special enough to be included.

Christians are to invite one another into their homes. By allowing others to see us as we really are, we help them feel included and accepted. This hospitable attitude should make no distinctions. If we obey this command, we will be sociable with all people who come into the church, especially those with greater needs. Even though some of us kneedeep in Christian leadership are far from lonely, many (if not most) people in the church are lonely. Hospitality not only breaks down loneliness but combats lack of selfworth.

God has given us resources and hearts for hospitality in community. When we are hospitable with one another, we worship God by reflecting back to Him his very character as one who invites mere sinful mortals into his marvelous kingdom.

Example in Small Group Community

Most small group Christian communities rotate meetings in each other's homes. This assures obedience to the command for hospitality. But to avoid cliques within the congregation, members of small groups should not just emphasize hospitality within their own small group. When inviting someone over for dinner from their small group, Christians should include someone from outside the small group as well.

Example in Congregational Fellowship

There are many ways to implement hospitality within the congregation. Sundays can be set aside for inviting others over to dinner. People can be divided up by neighborhood for meals and conversation in one another's homes. Or a couple could form a group with three other couples who meet at each other's homes.

One thing is clear: the hospitable church has a great deal of meal sharing going on. There is something very accepting and personal about being invited into another person's home. Early on, we learned from children's birthday parties that only certain people are invited to special occasions. Within the church, everyone is special and church leadership ought to make sure that everyone is being invited to other member's homes.

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. Brainstorm as many forms of hospitality as your group can identify. (Examples: meal, murder mystery party, etc.)
2. Why is having people over to your home superior to taking them out to a restaurant for a meal?
3. Why do people resist regularly having people over to their home? Which of these reasons are biblically legitimate?
4. What are the sticky situations that can come up when having people over to your home and how can they be handled?
5. What are the joys of having people over?
6. How does hospitality build up or edify Christians?

Do
1. Group members tell their willingness to be hospitable. The group should encourage those who are not doing enough and warn those members who seem to be doing too much.
2. Group members tell one another which they prefer: to go over to someone else's house or to have others to their house.

[23] TREAT ONE ANOTHER EQUALLY

1 Cor 12:25; 2 Cor 8: 1315; **James 2:17**

Treat everyone equally with respect and dignity. God does not show favoritism.

Christians should not show favoritism. Treating people unequally destroys selfrespect and confidence. Favoritism ignores the reality that all fall short of the glory of God. Since God is not a respecter of persons and does not show favoritism, neither should we. We are to treat everyone else with dignity and respect.

God has given us humility to treat one another equally in community. When we do so, we worship God who sends rain on both the just and the unjust by reflecting back to Him his fairness in bringing into his kingdom people from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Example in Small Group Community

Treating one another equally is rarely a problem in small group community. When individuals are not treated as equals, they will drop out of the group. In small group community, spiritual intimacy is greatly cherished. And individuals definitely do notice when they are being left out. But some inequality is acceptable in the small community group. For example, older people are to be honored more than younger people. But these exceptions are clearly spelled out in Scripture.

Example in Congregational Fellowship

When we meet in large Christian groups we should circulate and make sure that we are not offering special privileges to favorite people. Even the pastor and his family should not be treated as more special than others in the congregation. Fairness and equality are reasons why members of small group community should not associate primarily with one another during larger fellowships. There is a time to be a small group. During the congregational fellowship is not that time. And it goes without saying that there is no room for prejudice in the church.

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. Why is God dishonored when people are treated unequally or thought about with prejudice?
2. Without intending to, the church does treat people unequally. Take for example the saying that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Identify as many areas and situations you can think of where some receive more than others, more privileges, more recognition, or more of anything good.

Do
1. Everyone is prejudiced or judgmental of some race or type of people. (Examples: Jews, car salesmen, women managers, male chauvinists, homosexuals, athletes, loud people, women, men, welfare recipients, etc.) One way to conquer prejudice is understanding. Have each group member identify one group about which he/she is prejudicial (judgmental) and why she/he thinks she/he is so. Then the group struggle to help that group member understand (not necessarily agree with, but accept with understanding) that group of people. Stay with this struggle over the course of the year to see that group members are released from sinful and irritating prejudice into loving compassion.

[24] SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER

Rom 12:13; 1 Tim 6:1819; James 2:1417; **1 John 3:1718**

Share your possessions with one another as needed. God works in this way to take care of all His children.

As Christians, we belong to one another. As expressions of oneness and love, we should share our earthly goods. For example, probably only one person in a church needs to own a post hole digger. Such sharing can open up more revenues for taking care of greater needs.

God has given us resources and hearts in community to share with one another. When we do so, we acknowledge that He owns everything and we worship God by reflecting back to Him his great generosity in sharing all good things with his people.

Example in Small Group Community

In the intimacy of small group community, more is shared than material possessions. Children of single parents are taken for weekends to give the parent a rest. Trips to the theater include those who might be alone and otherwise have no one to go with. Books and tapes are traded. The list goes on and on and includes the sharing of time, effort, money, material goods and encouragement. Even the sharing of our loved ones is required, as when a group member needs a spouse for counsel on a night when the couple had made special plans.

Example in Congregational Fellowship

The first-century church was known for the sharing that went on between believers. Rich Christians sold their possessions and the income was distributed based on needs in the church. Today, a church could implement a "Project Share," where copies of the mail order store index are copied and distributed to members of the church. Families circle items they are willing to loan out to the other members of the church. A directory of the items and the individuals willing to loan them would then be published. If a family was building a fence, for example, they could call and borrow a post hole digger instead of renting it. For those with more than adequate financial resources, the money saved could go into the Missions Fund or other worthy church project.

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. Do we own things, or are they on loan to us from the Lord?
2. What are the dangers of sharing possessions? How can these dangers be overcome?
3. How can we think about possessions so that they are not connected to our happiness and oftentimes our security?

Do
1. Group members tell the group of those possessions they would have trouble loaning to others.
2. Group members tell how they would stress the importance of a possession they are loaning. What words would they use, etc.?
3. The group develop written standards for lending and taking care of things borrowed by group members to/from group members.
4. If group members can think of anything they need to borrow, ask the other group members if they own such a thing and would be willing to lend it.

[25] ADMINISTER GOD'S GRACE TO ONE ANOTHER

Heb 12:15; **1 Peter 4:10**

Use your spiritual gifts for the good of the church. Show one another unmerited favor.

God's unmerited favor is available to those who trust in Jesus Christ. Believers make this grace, this undeserved favor, available to one another through unconditional love. God has many things to give to us out of His graciousness. But many of those things He gives through other believers. We also administer God's grace to one another when we serve each other through the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.

God has given us the very great privilege in community to share His grace with one another. When we show one another unmerited favor and minister to each other through the spiritual gifts we each have been entrusted with for the good of the church, we worship God by reflecting back to Him his gracious love for us as well as show the specifics of his own graciousness through the spiritual gifts which each reflect some aspect of his character and nature.

Example in Small Group Community

Exercising spiritual gifts and using other talents from God should occur automatically in small group community. A generous attitude toward one another in the small group grows as a result of increasing trust.

Example in Congregational Fellowship

In our larger fellowships, individuals with special gifts from God, including the spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit, should make them available to all. Individuals should be helped by church leadership to discover their supernatural gifting from God. As gifts become known, the church may want to put out a directory listing the gifts and talents of all its members. But it would probably be a good idea to have a clearinghouse for requests for help so that certain individuals are not overworked while other individuals with similar gifts remain underutilized.

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. What is grace?
2. How are the many ways in which God is graceful to Christians? (Someone write them down.)
3. Considering the gracefulness of God toward us, how many of them can we pass on to others in our own gracefulness?
4. Brainstorm the kinds of group members and the unmerited goodness that should be shown them. (Examples: the obnoxious person can be accepted and gently taught to be more sensitive and the person with bad body odor can be hugged. Continue on from there.)

Do
1. Tell one another each member's spiritual gifts. When a group member is not sure, have the group struggle with identifying that person's talents first and then spiritual gifts.

[26] ONE ANOTHER TRUTHFULLY AND HELPFULLY

Zech 8:16; **Eph 4:15,25,29**; Col 3:910

Helpfully present the truth even when it is being avoided.

Christians are to present the truth to one another, but only in helpful ways. Helpful talk takes into serious consideration the need of the ones being verbally addressed. And sometimes helpful talk hurts and may or may not be readily accepted. Christians will obey this command if they truly love one another and are more concerned for each other's success in the faith than in their own comfort.

Unhelpful talk is discouraged by God. This does not mean that all small talk and joking is forbidden. Often such talking accomplishes constructive purposes. Yet, occasionally small talk and joking is not helpful or distasteful and should be avoided.

God has given us power and wisdom in community to speak to one another only truthfully and helpfully. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him his purity in thought and deed as He speaks to us truthfully through Scripture to help us.

Example in Small Group Community

Speaking truthfully and helpfully can be best done in small group community. In a small group, some members can be confrontive while others are supportive. This makes it easier to hear the hard, critical, yet helpful things.

But there must be adequate time in meetings for people to communicate about negative things helpfully and truthfully. Even trying to get across positive things takes time, especially to people who do not think much of themselves.

In the healthy small group community, superficiality should disappear after about the first month, enabling individuals to begin sharing the reality of their lives with one another. In small group community, Christians should never idly allow another to stumble and fail. They always get involved and communicate helpful things!

Example in Congregational Fellowship

It is difficult in larger gatherings to speak the truth in love to any depth. However, this is no excuse to be phoney or to treat one another superficially. Positive compliments spoken in truth can occur in passing. However, negative criticism said in truth to help cannot be dealt with casually. When there is something helpful to be said between people who do not know each other very well (only in larger fellowships and not in small group community), they should find some way to develop a loving relationship in which truth can be spoken for the other's edification. This may mean going to lunch a few times to develop a safe friendship as the context for constructive criticism.

Church members should not tell the truth if it requires time to be softened or explained. They will not engage in "hit and run" criticism or play the "You Offended Me" game. After the constructive criticism is given, much more is required, often just to prove that the feedback was given in love. And need we say that a continued friendship should not be dependent upon the acceptance of and agreement with the truth given?

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. What makes it hard to talk to one another truthfully? What can be done about it?
2. Why do we sometimes let our friends fail just to protect our relationship with them by not telling them the hard truth we know they need to hear?
3. What is the best way to tell a friend something he or she does not want to hear?

Do
1. Going one group member at a time, that group member tells the group (a) first, how they would like a close Christian friend to tell him/her something that friend knows he/she ought to change, (b) second, how they would like another Christian who is not a close friend to tell him/her something that friend knows he/she ought to change, and, (c) last, what it means if the answer to (a) was the same as the answer to (b). The group then gives feedback and counsel.
2. If your group has been together for some time, try this. Going one group member at a time, everyone else in the group tells that person one of the things they like the best ("I really like this about you...") and one of the things they sort of do not like about the person ("this one thing about you is a little hard for me to handle...").

[27] ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

Rom 1:12; Phil 1:14; **1 Thess 5:11**; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:25

Place inside of one another the courage to tackle God's assignments. Remind others that God has many ways of providing for success in their assigned tasks.

Christians are to place courage inside of one another for the assignments of God. This can be done by giving accurate feedback regarding a person's abilities and similar successful actions and accomplishments in the past. It is also encouraging when group members remind each other of God's many ways of providing for success in their tasks. Sometimes it is encouraging to remind the person of the critical nature of the assignment from God. Sharing specific Bible passages can be encouraging. Committing to go with the person can often supply that little extra courage needed. Helping a person think how to do something can encourage. Role-playing the situation until the person is confident places courage into another.

God has given us influence in community to encourage one another to do God's service. When we place courage into one another for the assignments of God, we worship God both by acknowledging his sovereign right to give assignments and by reflecting back to Him the work of the Holy Spirit which is the empowerment of his people. In a way, we actually join forces with the Holy Spirit who is the messenger from the Godhead of assignments and the power with which we take on those assignments.

Example in Small Group Community

The closeness of small group community allows people to know the really difficult things that people will be facing in the next week or two. This allows indepth encouragement to take place. Group members should inquire about the difficult things people will be facing so they can offer specific kinds of encouragement. The added time in small group community allows for deeper forms of encouragement such as recounting successes in similar situations, giving feedback on strengths to draw upon and weaknesses to watch out for, and specific prayers for obedience and courage.

The intimate knowledge that group members acquire of one another over time allows them to see God's assignments for others. Often group members cannot see their own assignments or they avoid them because of perceived difficulty. The group can bring up these assignments and supply the courage members need to "get on with the program".

Example in Congregational Fellowship

In congregational fellowship, Christians can encourage one another as they openly go about their tasks from God. Individuals can encourage others as they perform their roles of father, mother, daughter or son. Even brief encounters can be used to encourage others. Instead of a quick, "How are you?" a person could say instead, "I heard you're going to be working with the teens. I know you'll do a very good job!"

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. Discuss each of the ways to encourage identified above.
2. We usually think of encouragement as a "nice, touchy-feeley thing", but we offer a more specific definition. Is encouragement always going to be an enjoyable thing, by our definition of the word?
3. A lot of things are usually thrown in when people commonly speak of encouragement that are not really placing courage into another person. We stick to a pretty narrow definition so that the word has significant meaning. What are some of the things that people call encouragement that would fall under the definition of some of our other specific "Togethers"?
4. Why do you think that Hebrews 10:25 mentions this one thing after the command to meet together often and regularly? Why is it not worship?

Do
1. Go around the group and deal with one group member at a time. Have that group member list the assignments he or she knows he or she has from God. As they mention them, ask the group member to state how he or she thinks he or she is doing on each one on a scale from one to ten. Then have the rest of the group tell that person assignments they think he or she has that were not mentioned. Then the group asks the person to name the three assignments for which he or she has the least courage. You got it -- the group then places courage into the person for those three things. After doing some of the things that places courage into the person, pray for him/her.

[28] HONOR ONE ANOTHER

**Rom 12:10**; Rom 12:15; 1 Cor 12:26; 1 Cor 16:18

Christians ought to celebrate one another's accomplishments. Since we are all identified with each other and interdependent, a victory by one of us is a victory for all, especially because it is a victory for God accomplished in His power.

God has given us the privilege in community to honor one another. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him his own accomplishments, because it was He who gave the honored ones their victories and achievements.

Example in Small Group Community

Honoring one another can be so much more personal in the closeknit small group which allows accurate feedback about performance, accomplishments and worthy personal characteristics. Giving honor should always be done whenever exemplary behavior or commitment comes to the group's attention. It does not need to take a great amount of time. One small, ontarget statement honoring a person can make an impact for a whole lifetime.

Example in Congregational Fellowship

Celebrating is one way we honor one another in larger Christian gatherings. We can celebrate accomplishments such as graduation from college. We can use such occasions as Mothers' Day to honor certain segments of the congregations. We can also honor and respect the older members of our churches. Instead of always glamorizing the contributions of the young and middleaged members, it would be good in larger fellowship gatherings for the senior citizens to speak about what they have found true in life. Certainly every church should have some way of honoring those people who have been married 25 or more years, since that is no small achievement.

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. When you honor another for what God is doing in and through them, are you also honoring God? If you do not, are you holding honor back from God?
2. What do group members think of the theory that says that if you honor others they will become proud? Might they be proud anyway, and your complimenting them just brings it out in full view so that they can be helped? Are some, if not most, proud people actually showing their lack of confidence and self-esteem, needing such external affirmation excessively to overcome self-doubt or past criticism? So, should you honor proud people or not?

Do
1. Each member tell the group if they are good at congratulating others and/or rejoicing with them. They add whether or not their happiness for the other shows or is bottled inside of them. They should also say if it is hard for them and why. Then the group can help them overcome whatever is holding them back.
2. The group should spend some time congratulating its members for faithfulness, obedience, and accomplishments.

[29] COMMEND ONE ANOTHER

Rom 16:12; 1 Cor 16:1318; 2 Cor 6:310; 2 Cor 10:1218; **2 Cor 12:11**

Publicly mention one another favorably, recommending one another to others in the church who need help.

Christians are to publicly mention one another favorably. "Recommending" each other will encourage each of us to be more faithful in service while letting others know that a variety of help is available.

God has given us the assignment and wisdom in community to commend one another. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him his empowerment for good works of those servants commended. We also reflect back to God the Holy Spirit's nature to lead people to one another for spiritual needs.

Example in Small Group Community

Commendation needs no formal structure in small group community it happens automatically. In the small group, individuals should be able to ask one another's advice and help. In doing so, people are commended. Also, as group members convince others to accept certain forms of ministry in the church and community, they are commending those people as well.

Example in Congregational Fellowship

In congregational fellowships of around 400 people or less, occasional "commendation services" can have a very powerful impact. Individuals can step up to a microphone and testify how someone in the fellowship has genuinely helped them or someone else. This commending, or recommending, allows others in the fellowship to know where they can go to get similar help. And those who are commended will be spurred on to continue their ministry within the Body of Christ. Larger churches need to do this "recommending" in a newsletter or a special commendation publication. People write and sign their commendations. It can be difficult to do, but a large church must try to have enough people being commended to avoid overburdening those whose skills are always being advertised. The church that only has superficial contact among members will not be able to accomplish commendation within the larger fellowship.

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. How can commendation help keep the one commended consistent in his or her ministry?
2. Why do Christians approached for advice or help of some kind either feel they have to be the one to respond, or, if they do not, why do they so seldom feel the responsibility to hook the person up with someone who could or might help? What can be done about this?
3. Why do you think some people are embarrassed when commended? Why, on the other hand, are team athletes such as football players or volleyball players not so embarrassed? Is it more acceptable to feel good about athletic performance for a team effort than faithful service for the Lord of Heaven?

Do
1. The group should commend each and every group member.
2. Each group member commend (recommend) two people outside of the group to the group and remember to do it elsewhere at the appropriate time.

[30] SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TO LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS

Matt 25:3146; Gal 6:10; 1 Tim 6:1719; **Heb 10:24**; James 4:17

Motivate one another to do much good for Jesus Christ. Identify what needs to be done and get people going.

The Christian small group motivates its members to do good in the name of the Lord. It identifies good that needs to be done and gets people going. There is no end to the good that God wants done in this sincontaminated and hurtful world. Our selfcentered wills need consistent pushing toward love and good deeds.

God has given us power in community to spur one another on to love and good deeds. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him the Holy Spirit's character to prod and exhort us to action.

Example in Small Group Community

People who are not doing much for the Lord in the way of love and good deeds will stick out in small group community. Unlike Bible studies, where a person can cover up noninvolvement, people will become known in the closeness of the small group. Those who are in a church only to be entertained will be obvious. The healthy small group community teaches these individuals to be more thankful for Christ's death on the cross and spurs them toward love and good deeds.

Example in Congregational Fellowship

In the obedient church, church members expect one another to be involved in doing good. Conversation often centers around what the church is doing for the welfare of people and how each person is involved. In such churches the norm for behavior is loving service and that in itself is mighty in spurring church members on to love and good deeds.

This norm for loving service by all can be stimulated if the pastor encourages people to do good works out of thankfulness for the salvation Jesus Christ has purchased for them by His death. (The pastor never encourages good works to earn salvation it cannot be purchased by even the best human effort!) The pastor encourages love and good works in as many ways as possible in sermons, church announcements and informal occasions.

For Small Group Community

Discuss
1. How critical is the work of the Lord? If it is critical, why do we not use some loving force to get people into the action? Why do we not all help in recruiting others for positions of service in the church?
2. Thinking of the word used in the New International Version, the word "spur", and remembering its use with horses, what do you think spurring someone on to love and good deeds consists of and looks like? How can it be done?
3. What are the things that might be appropriate to say to someone you tried to spur on to do something good for the Lord and were turned down?
4. What are the things that might be appropriate to say to someone you tried to spur on to do something good for the Lord and they became angry that you would "stick your nose in their business"? 5. React to this way of recruiting which includes commendation and spurring on. You see that a certain person after worship services is continually in conversation with junior high and senior high youths. So you go up and say, "You are really good with teenagers." A couple of weeks later you approach the individual again and say, "Boy, I have noticed again that you are really good in communicating and getting along with teenagers. Have you thought of working with them in our youth program?" Then a few weeks later you go up again and ask, "Have you gotten involved working with our youth yet?... Why not?... I really think you should!"

Do
1. Have the group address each group member, telling that person all the things that various group members think that person could do. Since this exercise is not encouraging for the assignments of God, don't worry about whether or not it is an assignment from God for this time in their lives. Just brainstorm each person's capabilities and potential opportunities and ministries.
2. If it has been a while since the group did encourage group members specifically, then go ahead and address each member with the group spurring them on to do one or two good things in the next month.

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