Rev. David Holwick SPRUCE LAKE RETREAT
First Baptist Church FOR COUPLES
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 6-7, 1995
Philippians 2:1-16
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I. Encouragement from God. Friday night personal devotion.
A. Read Isaiah 1:11-20.
Going through the motions of worship doesn't impress God.
He wants us to live upright lives. If we haven't been, he
wants to cleanse us. Pray that God will give you a desire
to obey him, and a heart that encourages others.
B. Read Luke 12:16-34.
Pray for a proper perspective on your real physical needs in life.
Thank God for what you have.
Tell him what you need.
II. Encouragement in the Home. Saturday morning personal devotion.
A. Read 1,600-year-old sermon by John Chrysostom. (handout)
B. Read 1 Peter 3 (whole chapter).
1) Think about what you can do to encourage your spouse.
2) Pray together for your relationship and your family.
III. Encouragement in the Church. Saturday afternoon personal devotion.
A. Read Psalm 103.
B. Read Philippians 2:1-16.
1) Who is the most Christ-like person you actually know?
2) In what ways could you be like them?
3) What are your own spiritual strengths?
C. Pray for someone in the church who is hurting right now.
1) Think of something concrete you could do to help them,
and resolve to do it.
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Rev. David Holwick SPRUCE LAKE RETREAT
First Baptist Church FOR COUPLES
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 6-7, 1995
ENCOURAGEMENT - GROUP BIBLE STUDIES
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I. Encouragement from God. Friday night group study.
A. Times of discouragement.
1) When have been your times of deepest spiritual discouragement?
2) What brought you out of it?
B. Lift our sights from present discouragement to God's provision.
1) If God is behind us, we won't fail.
Deut 1:21, Josh 1:9, 2 Chron 20:15, 32:7
2) God can give us strength. Phil 4:11-13
3) Hard times can bring out Jesus in us. 2 Cor 4:7-10
C. God's promises that encourage us.
1) He will never leave us. Deut 31:8
2) He will never give us something too heavy to bear.
3) He has a future waiting for us. 1 Thess 4:18
a) Salvation.
b) Heaven.
c) Second Coming.
4) Believe in God's promises even when it seems impossible.
Rom 4:18f
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II. Encouragement in the Home. Saturday morning group study.
A. What are potential discouraging points in your homelife, and
what can we do about them?
1) Finances.
a) Budget.
b) Have plan for paying off debt.
c) Save up for fun events.
2) Lack of time together and intimacy.
a) Plan time together, during week and away from home.
b) Cut back on outside activities.
c) Build up your spiritual life together.
3) Children, relatives, in-laws.
a) Balance the demands others make on us.
b) Set boundaries on relationships.
c) Build up positive relationships.
1> Encouraging words and notes.
2> Special occasions for them.
B. How to build up your spouse.
1) Take positive steps to reinforce their good points.
2) Load on affection.
a) Hugs important.
b) Make anniversaries and holidays special.
3) Praise them in front of others.
a) Do your grumping to God.
4) Fight constructively.
a) Don't abuse and insult.
b) Work for resolution, compromise, win-win.
5) Pray for them.
a) Not just in problems, but for their good points.
b) Don't give in to discouragement, but leave room for
God doing something wonderful.
C. "Treasure hunting" as a group.
1) (go in circle and ask each to give a positive point
about spouse.)
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III. Encouragement in the Church. Saturday afternoon group study.
A. Example of Barnabas, "Son of Encouragement." Acts 4:36
1) He set an example for generosity. Acts 4:37
2) He brought people together.
a) When Paul was rejected, Barny took him in. Acts 9:26
b) (When Antioch caught on fire, Barny got Paul. Acts 11:25)
c) When Mark was rejected, he stood by him. Acts 15:37f
1> Barnabas was later vindicated in this. Col 4:10
3) When great things happened, Barny checked it out. 11:20f
a) He recognized the evidence of the grace of God.
b) He encouraged them to remain true to the Lord.
c) He was an effective witness because of his character.
4) He was trusted by others, and saw human need. 11:30
5) He was willing to be second fiddle.
a) Even though he was impressive in appearance. 14:12
6) He was bold in confronting people of their need. 13:46; 14:3
a) Barnabas was excited about the gospel.
b) He knew when to stand on principle. 15:2
B. How can we be Christian encouragers?
1) Support people who feel lonely.
a) Bear one another's burdens.
b) Get involved with other's lives. (no isolation)
2) Encourage them with God's promises.
3) Recognize the importance of contact.
a) Phone calls are as good as a visit.
b) Learn the power of words.
1> Be sincere and simple.
2> Be sensitive to time and place.
3> Recall personal examples of struggle.
4> Take time.
4) Be bold when necessary.
5) Have a personal character that stands out.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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