Caring Enough to Confront Sinful Layers

Encouraging Others to Move Forward in Christ #3
Caring Enough to Confront Sinful Layers  
Jeremiah 2:4-13           Page # 752

I. “Godly Encouragement” -Walking with others in order to stimulate Christ-likeness.  (1 Thess. 2:8)

II. Discipleship is a relational investment for an extended period of time that aims for spiritual maturity in Christ and in ongoing multiplication.

III. We are aiming for Faith, Hope, and Love. (1 Cor. 13:13)

IV. We have two main spiritual problems in life: Forsaking God as our life, and looking to find life elsewhere.

Jeremiah 2:13        Page # 751

V. The results of forsaking God and seeking life elsewhere

1. Our hearts create idols, strategies, and layers that we cannot control and that will never satisfy. These things also cause us to be and feel separated from the Lord and others.  (Psalm 51)
2. Our pride mixed with fear leads us to avoid authenticity and exposure. (James 5:16)

Fear -----> Fear
No Encouragement

Love -----> Fear
True Encouragement

3. Our strongholds eventually ruin our relationships and us.   (John 10:10)

VI. Overcoming our idols, layers, and strategies
2 Corinthians 10:3-5                 Page # 1161

1. Praise               (Psalm 105:4)
2. Truth                 (John 8:31-32)
3. Confession        (1 John 1:9, James 5:16)
4. Prayer              (Matthew 7:7)
5. Community        (Proverbs 27:17)

Faith Sheet
Transformation Verse - A friend loves at all times…
Proverbs 17:17

Main Points: Godly encouragement is focused upon encouraging others toward Christ-likeness. Maturing in faith, hope, and love leads us to take risks and confront the sinful layers of others. Looking for life outside of Christ is empty and damaging.

#1- Reviewing this past Sunday
Encouraging Others to Move Forward in Christ #3
Caring Enough to Confront Sinful Layers
Jeremiah 2:4-13          

1. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Discuss the message with someone.
2. How does fear manifest itself in your life, and how does it keep you from your full potential of being used by God to see others move forward in Christ?
3. Discuss why layer-to-layer fellowship is dissatisfying and how it impacts the church’s witness to the world.
4. What would you say and do if a person said that a fear of rejection and a sense of failure marked his or her life? Would your first thought be to get him to a professional? Would you have time to meet with him? Would you consider yourself in Christ as sufficient to minister to him? What approach would you take if the person were willing to meet?
5. Pray for one another and encourage one another. 

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
Being God’s Instrument in Encouraging Transformation
2 Peter 1:1-15

1. What is the difference between superficial encouragement, worldly encouragement, and Godly encouragement?
2. Read Luke 16:12-13. What is important before we take on someone in a discipleship relationship?
3. “Godly Encouragement” is walking with others in order to stimulate Christ-likeness. In what specific ways would you like to grow in order to live as a Godly encourager of others?
4. Discipleship is a relational investment for an extended period of time that aims for spiritual maturity in Christ and in ongoing multiplication. Discuss this definition and how you are involved in discipleship. Pray for one another.