During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide and Student Page, can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
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Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36–37
We often overlook the value of encouragement. But a word of encouragement can be the spark that lights hope, confidence, and joy in another person. For a person who has been wounded by words, encouragement can be like a spring of fresh water that slowly brings refreshment and new life to the soul. As we can see from this passage, Barnabas cared about others and sacrificed for their welfare. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment is that he was called “son of encouragement.” This kind of person, who encourages in his words and deeds, draws others to God and brings glory to His name.
Encouragement is a gift we can freely give, but it is also something we need to practice. So make a commitment to become an encourager. Ask God to show you ways you can encourage others. Make a commitment to encourage someone each day. You will soon find that encouragement comes easier and becomes more genuine and heartfelt. And when you see how others respond to your encouragement, you will feel encouraged, too!
Encourage the students to encourage their family members. They can then explain that encouragement is a powerful way to bring help and hope to others.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Greet the students as they arrive. Ask them to share with a partner how well they did with their plans to choose their words carefully. When you are ready to begin class, have all of the students sit in a circle.
Have the students close their eyes, and then say, “Banana.” Wait silently for several seconds. Then have the students open their eyes.
When I said, “Banana,” what did you imagine?
Allow 2–3 students to share their descriptions. Encourage them to think of the smell, taste, and sounds associated with the item.
Most of you were probably not thinking about a banana until I said it. My word put the idea into your brain. Then you imagined the details. The word I shared with you put a very real idea into all of your thoughts. Our words are powerful!
Our words can help to shape others’ thoughts, attitudes, and choices, so we should use our words to help and encourage each other. When we speak positive words, we can change a person’s thoughts in meaningful ways.
Now we will say some positive and encouraging words. I will start by saying a positive word, and then each of you will say a positive word. It can be something good, something that makes you happy, or something that you think will make others feel more positive. But you can only say 1 word. After you say your positive word, stand up.
Begin the activity by saying a positive word. You can choose any word that will create a positive feeling. Then allow each of the teens to share a positive word until everyone has shared a word and is standing.
Do you feel happier and more positive after hearing these positive words?
Allow 2–3 students to share their thoughts.
Let’s talk more about how positive and encouraging words can make a difference.
Last time we learned that for every negative comment a person hears, he needs to hear 5 positive comments to overcome the negative comment. Hurtful words can cause deep wounds that take a long time to heal. But we can help those around us to feel more positive by sharing encouragement. Let’s read a Bible verse about encouraging words.
Have a student read Ephesians 4:29 aloud from the Bible. If that is not possible, it is printed here.
If you are using the Memory Verse Poster, show it to the students.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
When we read this verse before, we were talking about the kinds of words we should not say. But what kind of words does this verse tell us we should say?
Words that are helpful for building others up.
Based on what we have learned, what kinds of words would be “helpful for building others up?”
Allow 2–3 teens to share their thoughts.
The best kind of words to build others up are encouraging words. “Encouragement” means words that give support, confidence, strength, and hope. Encouraging words are very helpful for building others up. Let’s listen to a few more Bible verses about encouragement.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Romans 15:2
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5–6
What do these verses tell us about encouragement and building others up?
We are called to encourage others; God is the source of encouragement.
The Bible teaches us a lot about encouraging one another. What does that tell you about how God feels about encouragement?
Encouragement strengthens us during difficult times. It helps us to heal from the emotional wounds caused by others. It can help us to calm our fears and anxieties and think about how we should respond in a difficult situation. It can help to restore our confidence when it is shaken, and it can help us to work harder to grow and improve. Encouragement gives us hope.
Think of a time when you were feeling discouraged. What made you feel better?
Give the teens a minute to think.
Was it the encouragement of another person? It is often the encouragement of others or encouragement we receive from God that helps us when we are feeling sad or discouraged.
Have the students find partners and discuss the following questions in pairs.
Encouragement is different than praise. “Praise” expresses approval, such as “You are beautiful” or “You did a great job!” Praise is good, and you should praise others often. But encouragement is even better. Encouragement is praise that focuses on the specific choices, abilities, and behaviours of another person. Because it is more specific to that person, it is more meaningful and has a greater positive impact.
Here are some tips to help you to encourage others.
Be attentive. Notice things the other person does well or things the person struggles with but works hard at. Notice things the person enjoys and the ways she serves others, even when she does not enjoy it. Notice things that discourage her and share encouragement in these areas.
Have the students turn to a partner and share about a time they were encouraged because of something someone observed about them. Give them about 2 minutes to do this. Then share the next section of information. Repeat this process for each of the tips.
Be specific. Instead of saying, “You did that well!” say, “When you helped the children, I noticed that they responded well to you.”
Give the teens 2 minutes to share with their partners about a time someone encouraged them in specific ways.
Be intentional. Do not simply wait for opportunities to encourage others. Begin to look for them. Plan to encourage at least 2 people each day. Soon you will find it is easier and you can do it more naturally.
Give the teens 2 minutes to share with their partners about a time someone encouraged them in intentional ways.
Be sincere. Encouragement is not meaningful unless it is genuine. Do not say something you do not believe. Be sure your encouragement is honest. False praise does not make a person feel encouraged.
Give the teens 2 minutes to share with their partners about a time someone encouraged them in a sincere way.
Be prayerful. Ask God to help you to find ways to encourage others. Ask Him to give you the words to say. Ask Him to give you an attitude of encouragement so that you become an encourager to those around you.
Give the teens 2 minutes to share with their partners about a person they know who has an attitude of encouragement.
Be grateful. One of the best types of encouragement is thankfulness. When we express our gratitude, people feel valued and appreciated. We show that we honour them and their efforts. Listen to what the Bible tells us about gratefulness to God.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Why do you think it is important to give thanks to God?
To remind us of what He has done for us and to remind us to be grateful.
How does this relate to encouraging others by being grateful?
The other person will know that his efforts are valued and that he is valued, and we will be reminded to be kind, encouraging, and grateful.
Give the teens 2 minutes to share with their partners about a time someone encouraged them by expressing gratefulness.
Encouraging words can make a difference in a person’s life. Your words of encouragement can provide help, strength, and hope. Your words are powerful!
Encouragement is important for all of us to hear. We all need to hear powerfully good words spoken about us! Listen to what the Bible says about good words.
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24
Words of kindness and encouragement can help to bring joy and healing to others. So let’s encourage each other.
Have the students sit down in a circle. Sit down in the circle with them.
I will begin by sharing an encouraging word with someone else in our circle. When that person receives the encouraging word, he should stand up. Then he will say something encouraging to someone else. His encouragement must be for someone who is still seated. We will continue until everyone has received an encouraging word.
Remember to use the tips we learned about encouraging others: be attentive, be specific, be intentional, be sincere, be prayerful, and be grateful.
Begin the activity by saying something encouraging to someone else. If possible, choose someone who is not as well known in the class. Being chosen first will encourage that person!
Be sure everyone is standing at the end of the activity. If someone is not standing, say something encouraging to that person.
Our encouragement helped us to build others up!
Have the students walk around the group and share their answer to the following question. They should continue sharing until they have shared with 3–4 other students.
What is 1 way you would like to use encouraging words to help others?
Words can tear people down or build them up. Our tongues are powerful, and we are responsible for using them to help and encourage others.
You may have been torn down by the careless and unkind words of others. But those words do not change who you are. Your identity is established by God, who created you. Listen to who God says you are. This verse was originally spoken to the Israelites, but it applies to all believers. All those who believe in God are chosen and loved by Him.
You are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.
Isaiah 43:4
When you do not feel encouraged by others in your life, you can always ask God for encouragement. He loves you deeply and completely, and His love endures forever. He is the source of all love and encouragement, and He is with you always. And He can help you to be an encouragement to others.
Optional: If you are using the Student Pages, give the teens time to do the activity on their pages.
Close with this blessing based on 1 Thessalonians 5:11:
Blessing: May you use your powerful words to build each other up. May words of encouragement and gratitude flow freely from your lips to bring joy and hope to others!
Lead the teens in singing this quarter’s song, if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
