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Encouragement Project

A chapel, youth group, or small group project to help students engage in biblical encouragement.

Start with a Video

Begin the session with the YouTube video below. It sets the stage for a discussion on the difference between compliments and real encouragement.

Encouragement Project video preview

Scripture Focus

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:11–15

Discussion Questions

  • 1Is there a difference between compliments and encouragement? What are the differences? Does one imply a deeper friendship?
  • 2In the video, how did you see the compliments lead to real encouragement?
  • 3Talk about how our simple words can be one of the most powerful things we have to encourage and help others.
  • 4Talk about the verse above. Focus on the verbs: comfort, edify, know, esteem, warn, support, be patient.
  • 5What other verbs do you see? How can we implement these instructions in our school or church?

Project

Week 1: Give every person three thank-you cards with envelopes and ask them to write a thank-you, compliment, or encouragement to someone who has worked among them.

Operation Engage Encouragement Week: Ask students to give three specific compliments each day for one week. Have them take note of times when compliments turned into opportunities for deeper encouragement. Ask them to write down three people they plan to encourage on a deeper level, then discuss the outcomes the following week.