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RETURN TO SYLLABUS
ROMANS 12
LESSON #17
THE GIFT OF EXHORTATION AND THE GIFT OF MERCY
C.THE GIFT OF EXHORTATION (PARAKLESIS)
1.DEFINITION:
A STRONG LIFE-RELATED GIFT CENTERED ON EXPERIENCE. IT IS THE MOTIVATION TO SEE PEOPLEGROW AND MATURE IN THEIR PERSONAL LIFE AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS. IT MIGHT BE CALLED THEGIFT OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSONAL PROGRESS.
2.CHARACTERISTICS:
a. VERBAL ENCOURAGEMENT–HE LIKES TO BUILD UP PEOPLE SO THEY LIVE UP TO THEIR FULLPOTENTIAL. HE GETS GREAT JOY FROM OBSERVING PEOPLE LIVE VICTORIOUSLY. HE ENCOURAGES OTHERSTO DEVELOP IN THEIR PERSONAL MINISTRIES BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS WELL THE CONCEPT OF THEBODY OF CHRIST. HE IS A FLUENT COMMUNICATOR.
b. POSITIVE PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT–INTERACTION WITH PEOPLE IS ESSENTIAL TO HIM. HEWATCHES FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, LISTENS FOR REACTIONS, AND ANALYZES BODY LANGUAGE FOR POSITIVERESPONSE. HE LOVES PEOPLE AND PEOPLE GREATLY LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE USUALLY HAS A POSITIVEATTITUDE. THE TENDS TO BE THE “LIFE OF THE PARTY”. HE DOES NOT JUDGE PEOPLE BUTACCEPTS THEM THE WAY THEY ARE. HE DISLIKES STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS AND WILL GO IMMEDIATELYTO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. HE WILL EVEN TAKE THE BLAME IN ORDER TO BUILD A RIGHTRELATIONSHIP. HE LOVES TO DO PERSONAL COUNSELING AND IS GOOD AT IT BECAUSE HE ISTRANSPARENT ABOUT HIS OWN PROBLEMS, BUT HE NEEDS TO SEE EFFORT AND CHANGE TO CONTINUE IT.
c. TRUTH–HE AVOIDS RESEARCH. HE PREFERS TO USE ALREADY RESEARCHED MATERIAL DONE BYOTHERS. HE PREFERS TO APPLY TRUTH TO LIFE RATHER THAN SPEND TIME ALONE IN STUDY. HE LIKES”HOW TO” BOOKS THAT FOCUS ON PRACTICAL APPLICATION. WHEN HE TEACHES HE GIVESSPECIFIC STEPS FOR PEOPLE TO FOLLOW. HE DOES NOT LIKE ABSTRACT BOOKS, IDEAS, OR SERMONS.
UNLIKE THE TEACHER, TRUTH TO THIS PERSON COMES FROM EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS THE BIBLE. HEDISCOVERS WHAT “WORKS” IN LIFE EXPERIENCE AND THEN REJOICES WHEN HE DISCOVERS ITIS ALSO IN THE BIBLE.
d. POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE–HE EMPHATICALLY BELIEVES ROM 8:28 IS TRUE. HE REFUSES TOACCEPT THE WORD “IMPOSSIBLE” AND HAS A POTENTIAL FOR GREAT FAITH. HE SEESOPPORTUNITIES NOT OBSTACLES; CHALLENGES NOT TRIALS; POSSIBILITIES NOT PROBLEMS. THEREFORE,MAKING DECISIONS COMES EASILY. BECAUSE HE IS SO PRACTICAL AND LIFE-ORIENTED, HIS DECISIONSARE USUALLY RIGHT. HOWEVER, BECAUSE HE VERBALIZES HIS THOUGHTS, HE NEEDS TO BOUNCE HISIDEAS OFF OF OTHERS SO HE CAN COME TO HIS DECISION. HE DOES NOT LIKE UNFINISHED PROJECT.HE EXPECTS A LOT OF HIMSELF AND OTHERS. HE IS NOT GIVEN TO INTROSPECTION.
3.BENEFITS OF THIS GIFT:
a.HELPS TO KEEP PEOPLE MOVING IN A POSITIVE
DIRECTION
b.ENCOURAGES PEOPLE IN A PRACTICAL AND PERSONAL
WAY
c.HELPS TO BUILD UP AND UNIFY THE BODY OF
CHRIST
d.MEETS THE PERSONAL/EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
4.MANIFESTATIONS OF THIS GIFT:
a.ENCOURAGES ONE IN HOW ONE OUGHT TO LIVE
1THES 4:1
b.ENCOURAGES ONE IN HOW TO PLEASE GOD
1THES 4:1
c.ENCOURAGES ONE IN HOW TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY
OF GOD 1THES 2:11
d.ENCOURAGES ONE IN HOW TO PROGRESS IN LOVE
1THES 4:10
e.ENCOURAGES ONE HOW TO LIVE SO OTHERS WILL
HAVE RESPECT 1THES 4:11-12
f.ENCOURAGES ONE IN HOW TO FACE TRIALS
ACTS 14:22
g.ENCOURAGES ONE IN UNDERSTANDING CHASTENING
HEB 12:5
5.CHILDHOOD EXPRESSION:
INTERESTS ARE PERSON-CENTERED. EARLY IN LIFE THEY
DEVELOP A SPEAKING GIFT. THEY HAVE A FRIENDLY, OUT-GOING DISPOSITION AND MAKE FRIENDSEASILY. THEY ARE USUALLY SOCIALLY POPULAR AND LOVE TO TEASE. THEY FEEL AT HOME WITH PEOPLEAND ENJOY GROUPS. THEY HAVE A POSITIVE PERSONALITY THAT MAKES THEM TRUSTFUL AND WINSOME.THEY GIVE OFF A POLLYANNA ATTITUDE BUT UNDERNEATH THEY ARE SERIOUS MINDED. THEY PREFERNON-FICTION BOOKS INCLUDING HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY. THEY LIKE TOYS WITH AS PURPOSE SUCH AS:BALLS, WAGONS, KITES. THEY ARE DRAWN TO PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DRAMA. MATH AND MECHANICALTHINGS ARE NOT OF GREAT INTEREST. NEW CONCEPTS AREN’T EASY UNTIL MASTERED AND UNDERSTOOD.THEY ARE INQUISITIVE, INVESTIGATIVE, AND RECEPTIVE. THEY TRY TO SIMPLIFY THINGS AND SPENDTIME DECIDING HOW TO DO THINGS EASIER. THEY ARE NOT EXTRAVAGANT, BUT TEND TO SIMPLICITY INLIFE. THEY ADJUST WELL TO CHANGES. SAVING FOR THE FUTURE IS AGAINST THEIR NATURE.
6.PEOPLE WITH THIS GIFT IN THE BIBLE:
a.BARNABAS (SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT) ACTS 4:36
ACTS 11:22-26
OBSERVABLE CHARACTERISTICS:
HE WAS COMMANDED TO ENCOURAGE (23)
HE HAS PRACTICAL FAITH (23)
ENCOURAGES MINISTRIES (23)
COUNSELED THE GROUP (23)
NON-JUDGMENTAL (23)
HAS A POSITIVE, HAPPY ATTITUDE (23)
EXPECTS MUCH OF OTHERS (23)
RECEIVED A VISIBLE RESPONSE (24)
FOCUS ON PEOPLE (24)
ENCOURAGED DEVELOPMENT (24)
OTHERS LOVE HIM (24)
HIS LIFE WAS A WITNESS (24)
HE FINISHED WHAT HE STARTED (24)
HE DID PRACTICAL TEACHING (26)
b. OTHERS:
PETER ACT 2:14-41 ACT 3:1-4:21
SILAS ACT 15:22-40 ACT 16:25,29
ACT 17:4,10-15 1PE 5:12
TITUS 2CO 2;13; 7:6,13-14
2CO 8:6-23; 12:18 GAL 2:1,3 TIM 4:10
THE BOOK OF TITUS
AARON
THE BOOKS OF EXO, LEV, NUM
7.PROBLEM AREAS AND CAUTIONS THAT LEAD TO IMPROVING THIS GIFT–A CHALLENGE:
a. DESIRES ATTENTION–HE HAS A TENDENCY TO NEED THE
FULL ATTENTION OF EVERY LISTENER. HE CRAVES AN AUDIENCE. HE TENDS TO INTERRUPT OTHERSAND TO BE TOO OUTSPOKEN. HE NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT OTHERS NEED ATTENTION AS WELL AND THATOTHER’S IDEAS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT.
b. TRUTH–BECAUSE HE RELIES ON EXPERIENCE FOR TRUTH HE SOMETIMES USES SCRIPTURE OUT OFCONTEXT AND ARRIVES AT FALSE ASSUMPTIONS. HE NEEDS TO CHECK OUT BIBLE SOURCES MORECAREFULLY.
c. OVER-CONFIDENT–HE CAN BECOME TOO CONFIDENT IN HIS STEP BY STEP PRESCRIPTION ANDFAIL TO RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT.
HOMEWORK:
1.IF YOU THINK THIS IS YOUR GIFT, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO SEE HOW THE GIFT OPERATESFOR GOD’S GLORY.
2.IF YOU THINK THIS IS NOT YOUR GIFT, CONSIDER OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY AND THOSEIN YOUR CHURCH WHO FIT THIS PROFILE. WRITE THEIR NAMES HERE AND WHY YOU THINK SO.
D.THE GIFT OF MERCY (ELEOS)
1.DEFINITION:
THE MOTIVATION TO IDENTIFY WITH, TO COMFORT, AND TO RELIEVE THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED ANDDISTRESS. THE GIFT IS ONE OF COMPASSION.
2.CHARACTERISTICS:
a) LOVE–THIS PERSON HAS A GREAT CAPACITY TO SHOW LOVE. HE IS MOST HAPPY WHEN HE ISSHOWING LOVE TO OTHERS. HE IS THOUGHTFUL. HE IS USUALLY NOT CRITICAL OF OTHERS BECAUSE HEFOCUSES ON THE GOOD. HE DOES NOT LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT OTHERS.
b) FEELINGS AND EMPATHY–HE IS VERY SENSITIVE TO THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS. HEFEELS THE HURTS OF OTHERS. HE CRIES EASILY. HE KNOWS IF PEOPLE ARE UP OR DOWN EMOTIONALLY.HE IS ATTRACTED TO THOSE WHO ARE HURT, WHETHER PEOPLE OR ANIMALS. HE AVOIDS HURTINGOTHERS. HIS FEELINGS GUIDE HIS DECISIONS. HE IS NOT AN INTELLECTUAL. HE WILL SAY,”DON’T CONFUSE ME WITH THE FACTS, MY FEELINGS ARE MADE UP.”
c) HELP–BECAUSE HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT EMOTIONAL HURTS, HE WILL HELP BY GIVING COMFORT.HE IS A PEACE MAKER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS.
d) FRIENDSHIPS–HE IS ATTRACTED TO PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP AND TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THISGIFT. HE IS VERY TRUSTING AND SOMETIMES NAIVE. HE WILL ALLOW OTHERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OFHIM. IT IS EASY FOR HIM TO REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO ARE BLESSED, AND TO WEEP WITH THOSE WHOWEEP.
e) DELIBERATE AND POSITIVE–HIS ACTIONS TEND TO BE SLOW. HE TAKES HIS TIME MAKINGDECISIONS. HE IS USUALLY CHEERFUL AND POSITIVE.
f) CRUSADER–HE IS A CRUSADER FOR GOOD CAUSES BUT MORE BY HIS ACTIONS THAN BY HISSPEECH. HE WILL STAND UP FOR OTHERS BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF. HE HAS A CALLING TO PRAY FOROTHERS. HIS PRAYERS ARE DEEP AND HEARTFELT.
3. BENEFITS OF THIS GIFT:
a.HE MAKES PEOPLE FEEL LOVED AND ACCEPTED
b.HE MAKES PEOPLE FEEL THEY ARE NOT ALONE
c.THIS GIFT MEETS EMOTIONAL NEEDS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
4.MANIFESTATIONS OF THIS GIFT:
a.HE SENSES WHERE PEOPLE ARE AND CAN TELL WHEN
THEYARE HURTING.
b.HE IS ABLE TO DETECT INSINCERITY IN OTHERS
c.HE IS THE HEART IN THE BODY OF CHRIST THAT REACH OUT IN SUPPORT AND COMPASSION.
5.CHILDHOOD EXPRESSIONS:
THIS IS THE LOVABLE, CUDDLY CHILD. HE SMILES EASILY AS A BABY. HE OFTEN HAS A SOFTQUIET DISPOSITION. HE HAS A TENDENCY TOWARD SHYNESS WITH A CLINGING TENDENCY TOWARDPARENTS. LOUD NOISES OR HARSH WORDS EASILY BRING TEARS. GENTLENESS MAKES HIM A FOLLOWER.HE HAS DIFFICULTY STANDING UP FOR HIS RIGHTS AND WILL OFTEN WITHDRAW IN A FIGHT. BUT HECAN BECOME A CRUSADER FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. HE’S DRAWN TO THE REJECTS OF SOCIETY–THEUNDERDOG AT SCHOOL. HE LOVES PETS, ESPECIALLY WOUNDED ONES. HE LOVES THE SICK AND THE OLD.HE LOVES PEOPLE BUT HAS FEW BEST FRIENDS. IF A MALE, THIS PERSON CAN HAVE COMMUNICATIONPROBLEMS. REPRESSED FEELINGS CAN BRING BITTERNESS AND HOSTILITY. THIS PERSON IS ESPECIALLYSENSITIVE TO STRAIN AND MAY FALSELY ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY AND GUILT FOR FAMILY CONFLICT.HE LIKES FAIRY TALE READING AND AVOIDS TRAGEDY BOOKS.
6.PEOPLE WITH THIS GIFT IN THE BIBLE:
THE GOOD SAMARITAN LUK 10:30-35
OBSERVABLE CHARACTERISTICS:
HAS A GREAT CAPACITY FOR LOVE (33)
ATTRACTED TO THE HURTING (33)
EMPATHY (33)
TOOK ACTION TO REMOVE HURT (34)
REMOVED PHYSICAL DISTRESS (34)
CONTROLLED BY EMOTIONS (34)
REMOVED EMOTIONAL DISTRESS (35)
TRUSTED THE INNKEEPER (35)
OTHERS:
JOHN, THE DISCIPLE (THE BOOKS OF JOHN, 1,2,3 JOHN)
RUTH (THE BOOK OF RUTH)
JOSEPH, THE LEGAL FATHER OF JESUS
MAT 1:16-24; 2:13 LUK 2:4-51
JUA 1:45
JEREMIAH (THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH)
RACHEL GEN 29-31,35,46
REBECCA GEN 22:23; 24:29; 35:8; 49:31
7.PROBLEM AREAS AND CAUTIONS THAT LEAD TO IMPROVING THIS GIFT–A CHALLENGE:
a) MEN–A MAN WITH THIS GIFT IS OFTEN GREATLY MISUNDERSTOOD, REPRESSED AND FRUSTRATED.HE OFTEN DEVELOPS A GRUFF EXTERIOR AND IS HARD TO GET TO KNOW. BOYS WITH THIS GIFT NEED TOBE ENCOURAGED THAT IT IS ALL RIGHT TO CRY AND DISPLAY FEELINGS. DON’T LET FEELINGS BUILDUP UNTIL YOU GRIEVE INWARDLY OR EXPLODE IN ANGER.
b) INDECISIVE–HE HAS PROBLEMS MAKING DECISIONS. HE WILL PONDER THE POSSIBLECONSEQUENCES, DELAY AS LONG AS HE CAN, AND TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHERS IF POSSIBLE.HE IS OFTEN ACCUSED OF BEING WEAK. HE SHOULD DEVELOP BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND STRONGCONVICTIONS TO OFF-SET THIS WEAKNESS.
c) OFFENSES AND HURTS–BECAUSE HE IS COMPASSIONATE, HE TENDS TO BECOME OFFENDED WHEN ATHIRD PERSON IS HURT. HE NEEDS TO LEARN THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT HIS BUSINESS. GODREQUIRES ONLY THAT HE PRAY FOR THOSE INVOLVED. HE ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO BECOME EASILYOFFENDED HIMSELF. HE READS MEANING INTO OTHER PEOPLES WORDS THAT AREN’T THERE. THEREFORE,HIS FEELINGS ARE EASILY HURT.
d) TOO MUCH EMPATHY AND AFFECTION–HE CAN BECOME WEIGHED DOWN EMOTIONALLY BY THEPROBLEMS OF OTHERS. HE CAN BECOME DEPRESSED AND INEFFECTIVE IN MINISTERING TO OTHERS. ITIS BECAUSE HE ISN’T PRAYING SUFFICIENTLY. HIS EXCESS AFFECTION CAN BE MISLEADING TO THEOPPOSITE SEX WHO ASSUMES ROMANTIC LOVE.
HOMEWORK:
1.IF YOU THINK THIS IS YOUR GIFT, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO SEE HOW THE GIFT OPERATESFOR GOD’S GLORY.
2.IF YOU THINK THIS IS NOT YOUR GIFT, CONSIDER OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY AND THOSEIN YOUR CHURCH WHO FIT THIS PROFILE. WRITE THEIR NAMES HERE AND WHY YOU THINK SO.
