GCN Legacy Shift Purpose 1 Connecting ENCOURAGEMENT 2022

LEGACYSHIFT

Legacy Shift

Finding Purpose in Connecting
ENCOURAGEMENT

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Session 9—Encouragement Legacy Shift

How am I connecting and showing
Encouragement?—Biblical Perspective

Legacy Shift-Finding Purpose in Connecting-ENCOURAGEMENT © Great Commandment Network 2511 South Lakeline Blvd., Cedar Park, TX 78613 1

Session 9—ENCOURAGEMENT Teacher Lesson Plan

I. Introduction: How does God Meet Our need for Encouragement?

During His earthly ministry, Jesus continually Encouraged His disciples and others who were downcast and discouraged.
The Pharisees even criticized Jesus because He regularly met with those who were struggling spiritually and emotionally
(Matthew 9:10–13).
God continues to encourages His children by providing us with abundant life through Jesus (John 10:10), assuring
us that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and promising us that we will eventually reap positive
benefits if we continue to do good and do not give up as a result of weariness (Galatians 6:9). In addition, God
encourages us through answered prayer and through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

II. Engage in Community—You Can’t Grow Yourself By Yourself: Doing life with others helps
free us to grow.

Hebrews 10:25 “…not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one
another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Spirit Empowered Faith Outcomes:

P2. “Startling people” with loving initiatives to “give first”
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down,
shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in
return” (Luke 6:38). “But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are
doing.” (Luke 23:34). See also Luke 23:43 and John 19:27.

P3. Discerning the relational needs of others with a heart to give of His love
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification
according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29). “And
my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). See also
Luke 6:30.
The need for Encouragement is met by urging others to persist and persevere in their efforts to attain their goals,
and by stimulating them toward love and good deeds.
Key Bible Passages
Read the passage in Luke 22:31–34.
Peter’s testimony of Christ’s special care is perhaps one of the most encouraging stories for us as Christ followers. We
know Peter was headstrong, somewhat brash as he related to others and often quick to get himself into trouble.
After all, it was Peter who jumped out of the boat to walk on water with Jesus. It was Peter who struck the soldier
in the Garden of Gethsemane. And it was Peter who said, “I’ll never deny you!” and yet publicly denied Christ three
times.
By the end of the twenty-first chapter of John, we find Peter in a pitiable state. He was living with the guilt and re-
gret of having denied his Savior. A few days later, Peter had watched as his beloved Messiah was put onto a cross,
tortured and died. Peter was undoubtedly broken, grieving and running low on hope. To cope with his myriad of
emotions, to get away from it all, Peter announced that he was going back to fishing.
In the midst of Peter’s betrayal, grief, regret, guilt and doubt, how do we know that Jesus loved him? How do we
know that Christ loved him uniquely – according to Peter’s specific needs and bent?
He is broken and hurting. He has denied the One who loved him completely. How does Jesus respond to Peter?
• Knowing that Peter would need reassurance of Christ’s care and concern for him, Jesus apparently
commissioned the angel to give Peter a special message at the empty tomb: “but go tell his disciples
and Peter, He is going ahead of you to Galilee” (Mark 16:7).

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Session 9—ENCOURAGEMENT Teacher Lesson Plan Continued

• Knowing that Peter would ultimately deny Him, Jesus offered words of hope and restoration: “but I
have prayed for you” (Luke 22:32). This Scripture passage reveals an amazing truth: Jesus indicates that
during the three days when He was separated from the Heavenly Father, battling the forces of evil
on our behalf, redeeming all of mankind … He was apparently praying for Peter! Lovingly, uniquely
and supernaturally, Jesus loved Peter by praying specifically for him!
• The lovingly detailed Savior takes special care to offer words of restoration for Peter three times –
one for each time of denial. Christ gently asked of Peter, “Do you love Me?” Christ’s response must have
brought relief and joy to Peter’s heart. “I have a plan for you, Peter – You’re not too far gone. You’re not too
broken. Feed my sheep. Love my people like I have loved you.”
Some of the best news for us is that Peter’s restoration was undoubtedly complete. His brokenness was restored.
He experienced the hope of the resurrected Christ. How do we know? Peter offered perhaps the most powerful
sermons recorded in history during his sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2: 14–39).

Discussion Questions

1. Read the passage from Luke 22:31–34.

2. How do we know that Jesus’ prayer for Peter to be restored was answered?

3. After this encounter with Jesus, how do you think Peter thought of Jesus?

4. How is your own behavior positively affected when your relational need for Encouragement is met?

5. How can we become more sensitive to people’s verbal and non-verbal expressions of their unmet needs?
How can we Encourage others around us like Jesus Encouraged Peter?

6. Reflect on what Jesus said or did not say that helped meet the need of Encouragement.

7. Reflect on what Jesus did or did not do that helped meet the need of Encouragement.

Prayers to “become:”

Privately, with a partner, or in a small group­—

• Thank God that He Encourages you when you need it.

• With a prayer partner, ask God to birth Encouragement and love for others in your heart, and to show you how to
Encourage others around you.

• Talk with God about those times when you may have said discouraging words and ask Him to forgive you and
help you to be an Encourager to others.

III. Encounter Gratitude—Gratefulness empowers our motivation to grow:
Spirit Empowered Faith Outcomes:

L3. Experiencing God as He really is through deepened intimacy with Him
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:4–5). “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore
He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice” (Is. 30:18). See also John 14:9.

W1. Frequently being led by the Spirit into deeper love for the One who wrote the Word
“Love the Lord thy God—love thy neighbor; upon these two commandments deepens all the law and
prophets” (Matt. 22:37–40). “I delight in Your commands because I love them.” (Ps. 119:47). “The
ordinances of the Lord are pure—they are more precious than gold—sweeter than honey” (Ps. 19:9–10).

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Session 9—ENCOURAGEMENT Teacher Lesson Plan Continued

Now put yourself in the story of Jesus interceding for Peter (Luke 22:32).
Now imagine Jesus laboring in prayer, interceding for His people, like He prayed for Peter. More personally, picture
Him encouraging you, praying for you, giving you hope. Imagine that you are there to witness Him praying, as
Peter did. As you approach Jesus, you hear Him fervently praying for the needs of your life, for your future. Then
you hear Him groan as He pleads with the Father on your behalf: “As one who has received my Spirit, this child has
your revealing love within. You are speaking, Father, but this child of Yours is not hearing You clearly. I long for this one
to hear You. Please open this heart and mind, and give this child the desire to yield to whatever You say.”
What does it do to your heart to know that Jesus, your Savior and Lord, loves you so much that He is interceding
for your needs, giving you hope, encouraging you and praying that you might hear Him and yield to Him?
Tell the Lord what you are sensing in your heart:
“As I consider that You are praying for me—for the needs of my life and that I might hear You more clearly—it brings
__________________to my heart.”
(For example: Encouragement, joy, peace, gladness, thanks, excitement, awe, or wonder, etc.)
Pause to pray, worshipping the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2). Share with Him your thanksgiving and praise.

IV. Experience“Becoming”— Dailylivingoutofrelationalprinciplesdevelopsouradequacytogrow:
Spirit Empowered Faith Outcomes:

M1. Imparting the gospel and one’s very life in daily activities and relationships, vocation and community
“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God
but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us“ (1 Thess. 2:8–9). See also Eph. 6:19.

How Might God Use Us to Meet Others’ Need for Encouragement?
Answer: Experience Hebrews 10:24 as a lifestyle of giving others Encouragement.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

Give Encouragement
„ Encourage your spouse, children, and friends to live productive lives by helping them to develop
God-inspired plans and goals and actively assisting them in reaching those goals. If they are
already goal-oriented, learn what their goals are and help them to succeed.
„ Recognize when others are discouraged and give encouragement to them. Listen closely for verbal
evidence of discouragement, including statements such as, “I will never be able to…”“I just
can’t…” or “It’s no use.” Respond with caring, comforting words such as, “It hurts me to hear you
say that” or “I am sad that you are feeling this way.”Then offer a few words that will build them up,
such as: “I believe in you” or “I know that you can do this.”
„ Encouragement can be given through a phone call, a card or letter, or a personal visit. Make it a
habit to perform several encouraging gestures each day.
„ Let people know that you are praying for them. Most will be greatly encouraged by your prayers. It
is often particularly effective to pray for discouraged people right on the spot as opposed to simply
saying, “I will be praying for you.”
„ When others are discouraged, have them over for a meal, invite them to see a movie, or spend a
day out together. Often, a simple change of routine, along with meaningful companionship, can
lift a person’s spirits and Encourage their heart.

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Session 9—ENCOURAGEMENT Teacher Lesson Plan Continued

V. Sharing the Good News
Spirit Empowered Faith Outcomes:

M8. Attentive listening to others’ story, vulnerably sharing of your story, and a sensitive wit-
ness of Jesus’ story as life’s ultimate hope; developing your story of prodigal,
pre-occupied and pain-filled living; listening for other’s story and sharing Jesus’ story
“…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone
who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”
(1 Pet. 3:15). “…because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again” (Luke 11:24).
(Mark 5:21–42). (John 9:1–35).
Given that we are to impart not only the gospel but our very life (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8), often times our
best witness is to:
„ Impart life to others through sharing a specific needed dimension of His grace (i.e.: meeting a
relational need for acceptance, Encouragement, approval)
„ Allowing the Holy Spirit to prompt in the recipient of this grace, the Pentecost response “what is
this?” “they were amazed and marveled...” (See Acts 2: 7–16)
„ To which we are ready to give an account of the hope we have within us—(1 Peter 3:15) by
bridging the conversations back to Jesus…who is our HOPE!

Listen for Their Story
Listen to these sentences that people may say if they need Encouragement:
“I just can’t do this!”
“I can’t do anything right!”
Share Your Story
Complete the following sentences:
I remember missing Encouragement when ___________________________________________________.
I remember receiving Encouragement when __________________________________________________.
Re-Tell the Jesus Story
Finish this story:
“That reminds me of the time when Jesus Encouraged Peter…”

Legacy Shift-Finding Purpose in Connecting-ENCOURAGEMENT © Great Commandment Network 2511 South Lakeline Blvd., Cedar Park, TX 78613 5