1. The Gift of Encouragement

2. Spell My Feet
Let's see how well you spell using the letters stick on your feet.
Form two groups, then shout out a word and have groups each spell it as quickly as they can.
You can leave spaces or substitute letters for any missing letters.

3. Let's create a new word that'll encourage us all to follow Christ.
After you've created your word and spelled it using your feet, come up with a definition for the word.

4. How did it feel having your feet exposed and tangled with other's feet?
How did it feel exposing your feelings when you encouraged others?

5. Encouraging others is an important part of the Christian life.
Today, we'll talk about how we can encourage each other in our daily life

6. 1Thessalonians
1:2-3;
2:10-13;
3:7-9;
4:16-18;
5:9-11.

7. Bible commentaries on 1 Thessalonians
Why Paul wrote this letter ?

8. Background of Thessalonians

10. Paul writes this letter for the purpose of …..
To encourage
To instruct
To equip the Thessalonians

11. What did Paul say that encouraged his friends?
Discuss how Paul was trying to encourage the Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 2:10-13;
3:7-9; 4:16-18; and 5:9-11
If Paul had written these words directly to you, how would you have felt?
Read aloud 1 Thessalonians 3:10-12.

12. Paul did more than say "Be encouraged" to his friends,
he put his feelings into action.
Not only does he tell them how much he loves them,
he makes plans to see them,
prays for them, and
tells them he's pleased with their growth.
It's important that we act on our desire to encourage our friends.

13. Act on our desire to encourage our friends.

14. Mission Impossible
One way we can encourage our friends is to do something for them
We give them a memory that'll continue to encourage them.
Choose one or more of your friends, to create a unique way to encourage him or her every day.

15. Mission Impossible

16. You've done a wonderful job
You've done a wonderful job! Let's stop and read again all the ways we can encourage our friends.
Why did you choose this method of encouragement?
What went through your mind as you brainstormed your idea?

17. ….just keep moooving along the faith It's great to get encouragement from a fellow Christian, but it's incredible when it comes from God.

18. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
Pray for our group members by name…….., asking God to encourage them as they strive to live for Christ.