Recap:

Last week we talked about the holy habit of gathering together. Scripture puts a premium on it: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there.” And you can feel it—when we worship together, your soul gets fed. It’s like God is doing spiritual surgery—healing the broken, lifting the discouraged, bringing peace into chaos. That’s why we gather—because God is for us, not against us.

But today, I want us to look at another holy habit: the habit of encouragement.

Let me ask—how many of you love it when somebody gives you a word of encouragement? A “you did great” or “I see God at work in you”? It feels good because it is good—it strengthens your soul. Scripture says so, and science even backs it up. Studies show that encouraging words literally rewire your brain with hope and resilience.

But the writer of Hebrews takes it further:
“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Did you catch that? Encouragement isn’t optional. It’s not just nice words or “positive vibes.” It’s spiritual necessity. Without encouragement, life will drain you dry. Discouragement hardens your heart, blinds you to God’s promises, and makes sin’s lies seem believable.

That’s why the Greek word matters here: parakaleō. Para means “to come alongside.” Kaleō means “to call out.” Put it together, and it’s not just shouting from a distance, “Good job!” It’s coming close—arm around the shoulder—saying, “I’m with you. God is with you. Keep going.”

This is what Joshua and Caleb did when they stood against the 10 spies who only spread fear. Ten men discouraged a whole nation until the people wept all night, wanted new leaders, and even wanted to go back to slavery. That’s what discouragement does—it spreads like wildfire. But Joshua and Caleb said, “God has given us this land, let’s take it!” Encouragement fuels faith. Discouragement fuels defeat.

So let me give you three practical ways we can walk in this holy habit:

  1. Speak the truth. Real encouragement isn’t flattery; it’s rooted in God’s Word. Jesus fought temptation with scripture, reminding himself of truth so his heart wouldn’t grow hard. You and I are called to do the same—to build others up with words anchored in God’s promises.
  2. Stay present. Encouragement isn’t just words—it’s showing up. It’s sitting with the friend who’s hurting, checking in long after the crisis has passed, reminding them they’re not alone. Presence itself is a form of encouragement.
  3. Bring hope. We remind each other that Jesus is coming back, that broken things will be made new, that discouragement doesn’t get the last word. Hope lifts weary hearts and fuels faith for the journey ahead.

Church, encouragement is not optional—it’s God’s weapon against sin and the enemy’s lies. It’s how we fuel one another’s faith.

So here’s my challenge this week: send someone a verse, a note, a text that speaks truth into their life. Show up. Be present. Speak hope. Be the Joshua, not the ten spies. Because God has called you to come alongside others as a voice of courage.

Group Questions:

Icebreakers (choose 1–2 to start)

  1. Share the last time someone encouraged you. How did it make you feel?
  2. What was the high point and low point of your week?
  3. If you could have one person in history send you a word of encouragement, who would it be and why?

Discussion Questions

Gathering Together (Connection to last week)

  1. Why do you think gathering with others in worship feels different than being alone with God?
  2. Have you experienced God’s presence in a special way during worship or fellowship? Share an example.

The Habit of Encouragement

  1. The sermon said encouragement is not optional but a spiritual necessity. Do you agree? Why or why not?
  2. How does discouragement spread like “wildfire”? Can you think of a time when someone else’s discouragement influenced you?
  3. Hebrews 3:13 warns us that without encouragement, our hearts can grow hard. What does a “hardened heart” look like in everyday life?

Digging into Parakaleō

  1. The Greek word parakaleō means “to come alongside and call out.” How is this different from just saying “Good job” from a distance?
  2. Who in your life has come alongside you in this way—arm around the shoulder, walking with you through something hard?

Practical Habits

  1. The sermon gave us three ways to encourage: Speak truth, stay present, bring hope. Which one comes most naturally to you? Which one do you need to grow in?
  2. Think about Joshua and Caleb. How can we be like them in our group, church, or families?
  3. What’s one simple way you can encourage someone this week—through a note, a text, or showing up?

Challenge

  • Share with the group one person you will encourage this week, and how you plan to do it.
  • Pray for each other, asking God to make you like Joshua and Caleb—voices of courage and hope.