Lesson #04

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Biblical Perspectives

September 21, 2015

Biblical Perspectives

September 21, 2015

Syllabus

February 12, 2010

RETURN TO MOTIVATIONAL GIFT SYLLABUS

Bible Perspectives: Gifts of Motivation
Lesson #04
“The Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging)”

• Homework Discussion
  • Test Evaluation for the Gift of Teaching
    • Record both of the test scores for each student for the Gift of Teaching.
    • Questions and discussion.

• Class Lesson: #3 The Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging)
• The Definition of the Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging):

• This is a strong life-related gift, centered on experience. It is the motivation to see people grow and mature in their personal life and social relationships. It is the gift of encouraging people to personal progress.

 

• The Characteristics of the Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging):

 

• Verbal Encouragement:
• This person likes to build up people so they live up to their full potential. This person gets great joy from watching people live victoriously. He encourages others to develop in their personal ministries, because he understands very well the concept of the body of Christ. This person is a fluent communicator.
• Positive Personal Involvement:
• Interaction with people is essential for the person with this gift. This person will watch facial expressions and will listen for reactions. He analyzes body language looking for a positive response.
• This person loves people and people love him, because he usually has a positive attitude.
• This person tends to be the life of the party. Because he loves people, he accepts them where they are and does not judge others.
• This person does not like strained relationships but will immediately go to that person to find out what is wrong. He will even take the blame in order to build a right relationship.
• This person loves to do personal counseling, and he is good at it simply because he is transparent about his own problems. This characteristic puts people at ease so they are comfortable with him. However, the person with this gift needs to see that the person he is counseling makes an effort to change in order for him to continue counseling.
• Truth:
• The person with this gift avoids research. He prefers to use already researched material done by others. He prefers to apply truth to life rather than spend time alone in study.
• He likes the “How to” books that focus on practical application.
• When he teaches, he gives specific steps for people to follow. He does not generally like abstract books, ideas, or sermons.
• Unlike the person with the gift of teaching, the encourager sees truth coming from experience in addition to the Bible. He discovers what works in life experiences and then rejoices when he discovers it is also in the Bible.
• Positive Outlook on Life:
• The person with this gift emphatically believes Rom 8:28 is true. He refuses to accept the word, “impossible”. He has the potential for great faith. In that respect, he sees opportunities and not obstacles. He sees challenges and not trials. He sees possibilities and not problems. Therefore, it is easy for him to make decisions because he is so practical and life oriented.
• His decisions are usually right. However, because he verbalizes his thoughts, he needs to bounce his ideas off of others so that he can come to his own decision.
• He does not like unfinished projects. He expects a lot from himself and from others.
• He is not given to self-introspection.

 

• The Benefits of the Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging):

 

• He helps to keep people moving in a positive direction, encouraging people in a very practical and personal way.
• He helps to build up and unify the body of Christ.
• He meets the personal and emotional needs in the body of Christ.

 

• The Manifestations of the Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging):

 

• This person encourages others in how one should live his life. (1The 4:1)
• This person encourages people in how to please God. (1The 4:1)
• He encourages people in how to live a life worthy of God. (1The 2:11)
• He encourages people in how to progress in love. (1The 4:10)
• He encourages people in how to live so that other people will have respect for him. (1The 4:11-12)
• He encourages people in how to face trials. (Act 14:22)
• He encourages people in understanding chastening (Heb 12:5)

 

• Childhood Expressions of the Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging):

 

• The interests of a child with this gift are centered in people. Early in life, this child develops the ability to speak easily. He has a friendly, out-going disposition, and he makes friends easily. This child is usually socially popular and loves to tease. He feels at home with people and enjoys groups.
• This person has a positive personality that makes him trustful and winsome. He gives off a “Pollyanna” attitude, but under the surface, he is serious minded.
• This child prefers non-fiction books. He likes history and geography.
• He likes toys with a purpose, such as balls, wagons, and kites.
• He is drawn to public speaking and drama, and usually he is good at it.
• Mathematics and mechanical things do not have a great interest for him.
• New concepts are not easy for him until they are mastered and understood. Therefore, he will try to simplify things and spend time deciding how to do things easier.
• This child is inquisitive, investigative, and receptive.
• He is not extravagant. Instead he will tend to simplicity in life. He therefore adjusts well to changes.
• Saving money for the future is against his nature.

 

• Biblical Examples of People with the Gift of Exhortation (Encouraging):

 

• Barnabas (his name means = son of encouragement) Act 4:36 Act 11:22-26
• Observable Characteristics:
  • He was commanded to encourage. (Act 11:23)
  • He has practical faith. (Act 11:23)
  • He encourages ministries. (Act 11:23)
  • He counseled the group (Act 11:23)
  • He was non-judgmental (Act 11:23)
  • He had a positive, happy attitude (Act 11:23)
  • He expected a lot from others (Act 11:23)
  • He received a visible response (Act 11:24)
  • He focused on people (Act 11:24)
  • He encouraged personal development (Act 11:24)
  • Other people loved him (Act 11:24)
  • His life was a witness (Act 11:24)
  • He finished what he started (Act 11:24)
  • He did practical teaching (Act 11:26)
• Other People in Scripture with this Gift:

• Peter (Act 2:14-41 Act 3:1-4:21)
• Silas (Act 15:22-40 Act 16:25, 29 Act 17:4, 10-15 1Pet 5:2)
• Titus (2Cor 2:13 2Cor 7:6, 13-14 2Cor 8:6-23 2Cor 12:18 Gal 2:1,3 Tim 4:10 and Titus)
• Aaron (The books of Exo, Lev, and Num)

 

• Problem Areas and Cautions that lead to improving this gift—a challenge:

 

• The person with this gift desires attention. He has the tendency to need the full attention of every listener. He craves an audience. He tends to interrupt other people’s conversation and to be too outspoken.
• He needs to be aware that other people need attention, too, and that other’s ideas are just as important.
• Truth:

Because he relies on experience for truth, he sometimes uses scripture out of context and arrives at false assumptions. He needs to check out Bible sources more carefully.

• Over-confidence:

A person with this gift can become too confident in his step by step prescription for life and fail to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

• Homework:
• Read each statement under “Characteristics”: Ask yourself, “How true is this of me?”
  • If the characteristic is never true about you, place an X in the box under “Never”. Then place a 0 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you only on rare occasions, place an X in the box under “Seldom”. Then place a 1 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you sometimes and sometimes not (up to 49% of the time), place an X in the box under “Sometimes”. Then place a 2 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you 50 – 75% of the time, place and X under “Usually”. Then place a 3 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you most of the time, place an X under “Mostly”. Then place a 4 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you all the time, place an X under “Always”. Then place a 5 in the point column.
• After completing the columns concerning “Characteristics”, add all the points and place the total in the box at the bottom of the point column, next to the word “Total”.
• Read each statement under “Typical Problem Areas”:
  • Fill in the columns and points in the same way as before.
  • Add all the points and place the total in the box at the bottom of the point column next to the word “Total”.
• Bring your completed test to the next class.
• If you think this is your gift, read the scriptures in this lesson and observe how this gifts functions.
• If you are sure this is not your gift, consider your spouse, your children, grandchildren, or friends.

NAME _____________________

#3 THE GIFT OF EXHORTATION (ENCOURAGING) CHARACTERISTICS	N E V E R	S E L D O M	S O M E T I M E S	U S U A L L Y	M O S T L Y	A L W A Y S	P O I N T S
	0	1	2	3	4	5
1. Loves to encourage others to live fully and happily.
2. Watches for the response of others when speaking.
3. Would rather apply truth than research it.
4. Prefers learning things that can be used in practical ways.
5. Loves to counsel others what to do in order to grow.
6. Loves to work with people.
7. Encourages others to develop in their ability to help others.
8. Finds truth most often in experience.
9. Loves to help others with their problems.
10. Will stop helping others with their problems if the person does not change.
11. Prefers teaching that can be applied to life.
12. Believes trials and problems are opportunities that can help people grow.
13. Accepts people as they are.
14. Is positive about everything.
15. Prefers to witness through the way he lives his life rather than talking about it.
16. Makes decisions easily.
17. Completes projects that are started.
18. Wants to clear up problems with others quickly.
19 Expects a lot from self and from others.
20. Needs a close friend to share ideas and thoughts.
TOTAL

 

TYPICAL PROBLEM AREAS

1. Tends to interrupt others in eagerness to give opinions and counsel.
2. Will use Scriptures out of context in order to make a point.
3. May tend to give the same advice again and again.
4. Speaks out boldly on opinions and ideas.
5. Can be too self-confident.
6. Craves an audience.
7. Does not give attention to other’s opinions.
8. Impatient with those who do not show an effort toward positive change.
TOTAL