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Week Three:

Chapter Four: Encouraging News

Read Chapter 4 of Encouraging Hands, Encouraging Hearts prior to study.

1. Read Hebrews 3:13, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (NIV)

According to this scripture, when and why must we encourage other people? How does encouragement keep us from the pitfall of sin’s deceitfulness?

2. Why was the young mother from Ghana discouraged? Do you ever feel discouraged? List all the activities you have to accomplish in a typical day:

3. In Linda’s survey, women ranked the areas they felt would provide them with the most encouragement (in descending order) were: (1.) Prayer support, (2.) Listening ear, (3.) Hugs, (4.) Thanks for a job well done, (5.) Encouraging words, (6.) Reassurance, (7.) Sincere compliments, (8.) Fresh ideas, and (9.) Sound advice. Circle your top three favorites and share them with the group.

4. It takes ___________ to encourage. The hardest part of investing in someone else is in giving her the gift of ___________. Why?

5. Author Dianne E. Butts talks about the impact the gift of time had on her life. What were some of the things her friend did to spend time with Dianne? How did this change Dianne’s life? Share ideas on how we can give this gift of time to our friends and family.

6. What is the cure for loneliness? Why?

7. The four temperament types are:

Sanguine: Outgoing, talkative, and optimistic.

Choleric: Goal oriented, driven, achiever.

Phlegmatic: Quiet, contemplative, dependable.

Melancholy: Sensitive, detailed, perfectionist.

Discuss what methods of encouragement is employed by each of these temperament styles:

Sanguine: _______________________________________________________.

Choleric:________________________________________________________.

Phlegmatic:______________________________________________________.

Melancholy:______________________________________________________.

8. Why does avoidance feel like rejection? Is it?

9. Kathy Collard Miller talks about encouraging a woman at the airport. In what way did she have to humble herself to reach out to this woman? Why do we have to sometimes humble ourselves to encourage others?

10. Can you share an example of a time you reached out to encourage another?

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© 1999 Linda Evans Shepherd

 

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