If you want to live a life that honors God, you’re going to need help. The Bible guides us, and the Holy Spirit leads us. But as human beings, we also need help from other followers of Jesus who also want to honor God with their lives. The Christian life is not lived in isolation. When you think of the needs we have as human beings, it’s clear God gave us each other to help us succeed in living for him. Let’s look at some important ways that other believers help us as we seek to honor God.
We need other believers to encourage us.
All of us feel down and discouraged at times. We lose sight of God’s promises. We forget our identity in Christ. We can start to give up hope.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
We need other believers to help bear our burdens.
Sometimes life is just really challenging. We face illness, financial setbacks, and more. We feel like we’re about to be overwhelmed. In those times it’s easy to forget what God wants and to look for an easy way out.
Galatians 6:2 (NLT) Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
We need other believers to keep us on track.
Life is full of temptations. We can lose our focus on God. Bad attitudes can start to creep in. But other Christians can help us stay true to honoring God.
Hebrews 3:13 (NLT) You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
Sometimes it’s not just about keeping us from stepping into a mess. Others can also nudge us in the right direction.
Hebrews 10:24 (NLT) Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
We need other believers to restore us when we mess up.
Sometimes we do go too far off track. We wilfully disobey God and let sin get us disconnected from him.
Galatians 6:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path…
We need other believers to give us wise teaching and counsel.
This last point is a very positive, encouraging role people play. When we need to know what is true, what pleases God, others can point us to the truth. They can help us know the right decision to make, the right steps to take in our lives to honor God.
Colossians 3:16 (NLT) Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
God knows our needs. He knows we need people around us to help us live in a way that honors him.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Which of the needs mentioned in this video do you feel most strongly?
- Talk about a time when someone encouraged you or bore your burdens. What happened?
- Describe a time another Christian helped you live up to your ideals. How did that affect you?
- What is some wise teaching or counsel you have received that helped you honor God?
- What are some ways you can provide this same kind of support to other Christians?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
