"I wouldn't have taken that step without your encouragement."
"Your words came at exactly the right moment, they kept me going."
"Something shifts when we meet regularly, I'm different because of our connection."
These moments reveal a profound truth: we don't thrive in isolation. Our faith, courage, and love often require the catalyst of intentional connection with others.
Yet in our busy, individualistic culture, these life-giving connections are increasingly rare. We settle for digital interactions over face-to-face meetings.
We prioritize convenience over commitment. We assume we can sustain our spiritual and emotional health without regular, purposeful community.
The consequences are subtle but significant, a gradual cooling of passion, a slow decline in motivation, a quiet fading of conviction that happens not suddenly but through the accumulated effect of disconnection.
You've experienced seasons of vibrant community that propelled your growth. You've also known the drift that happens when those connections fade. You've felt both the joy of being spurred forward and the struggle of trying to persevere alone.
What's often missing isn't just casual social connection but intentional, purposeful gathering that keeps our faith and love from growing cold.
My understanding of community completely shifted when I stopped viewing regular gatherings as optional activities based on convenience...
And began visualizing them as essential catalysts, divinely designed sparks that ignite and sustain our spiritual passion, exactly as described in one of Scripture's most practical passages about the purpose of meeting together.
If you're sensing the need for connection that does more than fill your social calendar, that actually propels you toward love and good deeds,
Let me show you how one powerful passage can transform your understanding of social wellness through the lens of spiritual encouragement.
SCRIPTURE (Warm-Up)
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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."
— Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
Take a moment to really hear these words.
- Consider...
- Spur on...
- Not giving up...
- Encouraging...
- All the more...
This isn't casual suggestion. It's vital instruction for spiritual survival.
The Greek word for "spur on" (παροξυσμός / paroxysmos) is particularly striking. It describes a sharp stimulation or provocation, like the nudge that gets a reluctant horse moving forward.
It's not harsh or cruel, but it's definitely not passive. It suggests that left to ourselves, our momentum toward love and good deeds naturally slows without external encouragement.
This spurring on requires thought, “let us consider how”, suggesting that effective encouragement isn't accidental but intentional. It requires knowing others well enough to understand what specifically motivates them.
Even in the early church, believers needed this reminder: the tendency to drift away from regular gathering is nothing new.
And as the Day of Christ’s return draws nearer, the necessity of regular connection only grows.
ENGAGE (Strength Training)
Let’s move from reading this passage to engaging with it visually. These three creative activities will help bring the message of Hebrews 10:24–25 to life.
1. Create Your Encouragement Impact Map
On a blank page, draw a path representing your spiritual journey. Mark:
Points where others spurred you on- Who did it?
- What did they say or do?
- How did it affect your momentum?
Times you were the encourager- Who did you help?
- What resulted from your actions?
Moments of stall or disconnection- What preceded the slowdown?
- What might have helped?
This exercise makes the abstract idea of encouragement tangible and reveals patterns in your faith journey.
2. Draw Your Gathering Effectiveness Diagram
Create a visual representation of how various gatherings influence your spiritual vitality:
- Center Circle: One-on-one spiritual friendships
- Middle Circle: Small groups, Bible studies, prayer meetings
- Outer Circle: Church services, conferences, events
Color code each gathering based on its effectiveness:
Green = Strong encouragement
Yellow = Occasional or mild encouragement
Red = Rarely encouraging
Blue = Potential gathering opportunities
This helps identify which environments offer the most effective “spurring on.”
3. Sketch Your Encouragement Style Profile
Divide a page into four labelled sections:
"How I'm Best Encouraged"- "How I Typically Encourage Others"
"Encouragement I Rarely Receive But Need"
"Ways I Could Better Encourage Others"
Reflect on:
- Your preferences
- Your patterns
- Gaps in how you give or receive encouragement
- Ways to grow in offering meaningful, custom encouragement
EXPERIENCE (Cool Down)
The true impact of this passage happens not in theory, but in practice. Here are three ways to implement intentional encouragement in your daily life.
1. Establish Catalyst Conversations
Choose 2–3 people open to spiritual mutual encouragement. Propose regular meetups to share, support, and spur one another forward.
Use prompts like:
- "What’s one area you need encouragement right now?"
- "Where have you seen growth that I might affirm?"
- "What step are you hesitant to take?"
- "How can I support or pray for you this week?"
After a month, reflect on the changes in spiritual momentum.
2. Prioritize Consistent Gathering
Create a non-negotiable rhythm:
- Weekly: One regular, faith-building gathering
- Monthly: A deeper spiritual engagement (retreat, service day, etc.)
- Daily: Quick, intentional encouragement (texts, notes, prayers)
Shift from “if I have time” to “this is why I organize my time.”
3. Develop Encouragement Specificity
Practice “precision encouragement”:
- Identify growth edges: hesitations, passions, untapped gifts
- Offer targeted encouragement that spurs forward
- Follow up, celebrate progress, and adjust as needed
Log what you’ve shared, how it was received, and where to follow up.
YOU NEED INTENTIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT
What you've just explored transcends conventional approaches to social connection.
This isn’t about adding more to your schedule.
It’s about aligning with God’s design for community.
Let Hebrews 10:24–25 remind you:
Regular, intentional gathering isn’t just nice to have, it’s necessary for sustaining spiritual vitality.
Left to ourselves, our momentum slows without encouragement.
As challenges increase, our need for intentional community intensifies.