Church Home #4

Building a Culture of Encouragement

Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.

Proverbs 16:24: Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Follow the prompts to engage in dialogue!

*Additionally, if you call 168 “home,” try your best to help others be comfortable e.g., be first, model vulnerability, share proactively…

Break up into smaller groups. Define what community means and looks like to you as you think about the following questions: 

  • What are the core characteristics of a community? List them out.

  • Think about your personal experiences with different communities, good or bad.  What impact did these experiences have on you? 

  • What skills, resources, talents, characteristics, etc., can you offer to your community? OR, what are some skills, resources, talents, characteristics, etc., that others have noticed in you? 

Read the following statement: 

"Culture" refers to a group or community which shares common experiences that shape the way its members understand the world. It includes groups that we are born into, such as race, national origin, gender, class, or religion. It can also include a group we join or become part of.”

  • In large Group: Take a moment and identify the cultures that you are already a member of. You can either write them down on a piece of paper or list them out on your phone. 

    • In groups of 4-5: Choose one cultural group you are a part of. How has that group influenced or shaped who you are today?

Gather in groups of 4-5 and utilize the chart and questions below to discuss and write down what a culture of encouragement looks like to you.

  • Who is someone that you have seen live this out well or poorly? Why?

  • What are common misconceptions about encouragement?

  • What would your ideal culture of encouragement look like?

What Now?

  1. Take a moment to evaluate your role, engagement and participation in your communities. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being needs vast improvement and 5 being a model to be followed, how would you rate yourself as an encourager amongst your community?

  2. What is one step that you can take this week to help you grow in your ability and awareness in encouraging others? 

  3. Who is someone that can help you achieve this goal? 

 

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