The Fruits Of Encouragement
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What role does encouragement play in leadership? What are the fruits of encouragement in God’s people?
Encouragement plays a key role in the leadership and fruitfulness of God’s people.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Titus about the character and qualities of the leaders of God’s people in his church.
Paul wrote that an elder, “Must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” (Titus 1:9, NIV).
The good news of solid teaching from God’s word, the gospel, is to be lived out and taught by the leaders of God’s people, so that the leader can encourage others with the good news, and correct those who are against it.
Leadership expert John Maxwell said, “If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives it - young or old, successful or less-than-successful, unknown or famous - is changed by it.” (John C. Maxwell).
We encourage one another by the good news of the gospel and we ourselves are encouraged as we encourage others with the truth and good news of God’s word. We are all changed by encouragement.
Zig Ziglar said it this way, “When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you're making a commitment and difference in that person's life. Encouragement really does make a difference.” (Zig Ziglar).
Encouragement by the sound teaching of the good news of Jesus is fruitful in the life of the one being encouraged and is fruitful in the life of the one who is the encourager.
Maxwell says, “A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential.” (John C. Maxwell).
May we experience the fruits of encouragement as we live out the good news of Jesus, and share the good news of Jesus, and may we be encouraged as we encourage others with the good news.
In Christ alone, Robbie
A Prayer For Holy Thought: “O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.” (#75, Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
