There is a time to be general; to categorize to be brief The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name. 3 John 15
But there is a time to get past the category to name specific people Greet Prisca, Aquila, Epaenetus, Mary, Adronicus, Junias, Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, household of Aristobulus, Herodion, household of Narcissus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus, his mother; Asyncritus, Phelgon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, brethren with them; Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, all saints with them. Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus greet you. Rom 16:3-15; 21-23
Getting Specific Getting Past Categories in order to engage in Thought, Prayer, and Action
Getting Specific Shut-ins Missing out on edification and spiritual encouragement (1 Cor 14:26; Heb 10:24); have physical needs as well Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Getting Specific Widows/Widowers Js 1:27 Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Getting Specific Sick Mt 25:36 Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Getting Specific Unruly (“Spiritually Sick”) 1 Thess 5:14; Gal 6:1-2; Js 5:19-20 Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Getting Specific Fainthearted (Discouraged) 1 Thess 5:14 Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Getting Specific Weak (“Little Faith”) 1 Thess 5:14 Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Getting Specific Poor (“Weak” Financially) Acts 20:35; Gal 2:10 Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Getting Specific Lost Lk 19:1-10 Identify by name Think about Pray for Do Something
Don’t leave all these people in categories, nameless, faceless, and neglected! Shut-ins Widows/Widowers Sick Spiritually Sick Discouraged Weak Poor Lost
If we don’t ever get past the category At best we are thoughtless Phil 2:4 At worst we are hypocritical Isa 29:13; Mt 15:7-8 And we will be lost for either one!
Let’s Get Specific More Often! Identify Think About Pray for Do Something