Encouragement Urging others to persist and persevere in their efforts to attain their goals; stimulating others toward love and good deeds. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24)
Encouragement for Kids
I’m not sure why my grandchildren say my name so often, but I love to hear them say it. Seems that they may be trying to make sure I am paying attention so they can show me something and hear me brag on them. Perhaps it is because they want to listen as I encourage them to show me or do that amazingly daring feat (in their world) again.
Even the neighbor’s son called out, “Hey, Evan’s granddaddy, watch me do this flip!” Kids love to show us what they can do. They enjoy using their imagination to make up new tricks or build new things for us to see and marvel.
How exciting to see the light shine so brightly in the eyes of our children. The light is “ON” in the eyes of so many children. Let’s keep it glowing by doing our part to encourage them.
As a former schoolteacher and youth minister, I watched many children blossom and heard the excitement in their voices as they dreamed about the future. But too many lost their bloom due to the crushing load of a world they should not have to understand at their ages and at that level of disappointment. The excitement for life that soared too often fizzled and fell.
Walk in the Light of Jesus – the Encourager
God the Father encouraged His Son during the time Jesus was here on earth. Recall that at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:13-17) and again at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13 ), God the Father encouraged Jesus to keep going toward the goal of redeeming the world and destroying the works of Satan.
I feel sure that during times of private prayer and especially while He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus received the encouragement of His Father’s love. After all, Jesus did say to His Father, “Nevertheless, not my will but thy will be done.”
Jesus’ task was heavy and long. Can you imagine that His Father’s encouragement and words of affirmation reached deeply into Jesus’ heart at crucial times?
God encourages His Children. He does it often and well. Let me ask you a question and urge you to take a few minutes-at least – to consider the truth in the answer.
How has God encouraged you? OK, if God is real, and He is, then why not ask Him questions? He invites us to “ask, seek, and knock” and to “call to Him” and He will answer us and “show us great and mighty things”.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice..” So, what do you need to ask Him today? What is going on in your life that you could discuss with your Father in heaven? Jesus taught us to pray: “Our Father who art in heaven”.
I need encouragement often concerning the situation I find couples facing, needs in our family, ministry needs, discouragement, disappointment, and my own personal struggles. What about you?
Would you, right now, tell Him? I Peter 5:7 – Cast your cares on Him because He cares for you. Now listen for His answer: James 1:19 – take time to listen.. even if you fall asleep. There are times that I fall asleep listening only to awaken with fresh ears to hear His solution to my problem or His gentle loving voice reminding me He loves me even if others don’t. What is He telling you? How are you encouraged to stay in the game?
How could you learn from Abba’s mentoring to “be there” as an encourager for your or other people’s kids?
Walk in the Light of God’s Word – Let’s Do the Book and Encourage Children
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
Hebrews 10:25
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
To Do this Passage- 1. Ask God for help knowing how to be an encourager (buoy) for your children. 2. Recall how others encouraged you and what really seemed to help. 3. Realize how helpful it would have been in earlier days if someone had asked you how they might be a better encourager for you. 4. Now, don’t just listen, make lists, and talk about it – Just Do It!
Walk in the Light of God’s People – Let’s Enjoy Fellowship as We Grow to Encourage Children
If your child/children/ of Focus is a Christ-follower, then plan on having fellowship times with him/her and ask these questions: 1. What situations have you experienced lately where encouragement was needed? How did I do? 2. What are ways that I have been or can be a better encouragement to you? 3. Are there people in your life who need encouragement? How can you play a role or how might I help?
If he/she is not yet a Christ-follower, then discuss ways of being an encourager with your spouse or other adults involved in your child’s life.
Here are the Questions to Consider for your having real fellowship with another believer: 1. How did you receive encouragement from your parents, other family, other people outside the family in your formative years and how important was it? 2. If encouragement wasn’t given much or at all, how important would it have been and what occasions can you recall where some encouragement might have made a big difference?