GUIDELINES ON HOW AND WHAT TO SHARE

Over the last year God has been speaking clearly to our church family about the vital importance of cultivating a culture of encouragement. We see this most clearly in Hebrews 3:13 – ‘But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin’.

We can encourage one another by sharing scriptures, prophecies, testimonies or anything else that God places on our hearts which may be helpful in building up other members of the church.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Simply, we need it.

It’s easy to become discouraged in the Christian life. We live in a broken world where we frequently encounter sin, suffering and trials which can rob us of joy. One of the vital expressions of God’s love for his people is seen in his command to encourage one another.

Encouragement is a reflection of the heart of God. That means when we engage in encouragement we are engaging in the work of our God who comes alongside the broken hearted to bring comfort and peace. God used Titus in this way:

2 Corinthians 7:6 says ‘But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus’.

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGEMENT?

Encouragement is more than just saying nice things to someone, although that’s important too! At its heart, Christian encouragement is about reminding one another of the grace we have been shown in Jesus. It also describes how we point each other to the promises of God the Father which remind us that we are in safe hands.

Encouragement was the mark of healthy churches in the New Testament. They brought scriptures and songs, prophecies and prayers which were all designed to build one another up in Christ.

You can see this in Ephesians 5:18-19 – ‘Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart’.

In this new season we are creating space for the Holy Spirit to guide us as we seek to intentionally encourage one another. We believe everyone can have something meaningful and worth contributing be they man or woman, young or old, if they are willing to seek and obediently listen to the Holy Spirit.

As we go forwards with God in this, it’s important we are informed by the scriptures for God’s wisdom on how to share.

PRINCIPLES FOR SHARING

Here are a few principles we’d appreciate you considering:

1. KEEP THE FOCUS ON JESUS

Revelation 19:10 says: ‘Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’.

When we share something, it’s important to consider that we’re sharing for the encouragement of others in a way which should build their faith in Jesus. We don’t want to share in order to bring attention to ourselves, we want to help people see the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ. This means that it’s really important to make sure that what we share keeps the focus ultimately on Jesus and helps lead other people to worship him or reflect on ways that he has been or could be at work in their own lives.

One example is that by sharing a testimony or by speaking about the difference our faith is making in our lives, the purpose is not to make much of ourselves but to help strengthen the faith of others by describing how Jesus has been at work.

2. USE SCRIPTURE IF YOU CAN

If you have a prophetic word, an encouragement or even a story to share, it’s helpful to ask God for a verse in context. What we share is often much more powerful when it draws us into God’s word. This is especially important because we hold to the view that all prophecy is subject to Scripture and not Scripture to prophecy.

Although not all prophetic words have to use scripture, we believe there is power when the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God.

If prophecy isn’t your spiritual gift, it’s ok to share a scripture that has meant something to you during the week. Sometimes God lays a burden on our hearts which another person may find helpful too. We never know how God will use what we share to minister and work in the lives of other people, what matters is that we are faithful to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

3. REMEMBER ENCOURAGEMENT MEANS BUILDING UP NOT TEARING DOWN

When sharing, it’s also important to keep a firm understanding about the nature of what we are to share. Prophecy is sharing God’s word to the church family for their encouragement and edification.

1 Corinthians 14:3 is explicitly clear about this: ‘the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation’.

Prophecy is not to be used to condemn or judge others but to build up, encourage or comfort. It’s easy to spot the mess in each other’s lives, but God has changed everything about our situation, he has shown us grace and mercy so that needs to shape the way we live and worship together. There are many examples of prophetic words which call out the hidden treasure within, words that inspire and encourage people to live and serve Jesus with renewed confidence and passion.

Therefore, we ask you to not speak negative words or accuse people of specific sins. It’s also wise to stay away from offering any direct instruction for the most part. Direct prophecy needs to be given in the context of relationship and as we will see in a moment the main motivation must always be genuine love.

4. ALLOW PROPHECY TO BE WEIGHED

In the case of prophecy in particular, the Bible stresses the importance of evaluation and discernment by others.

You can see this in 1 Cor. 14:29 – ‘Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.’

In discernment we aim to follow the pattern of Revelation, Interpretation, Application. It’s important to be able to spot the difference and only say what you see. Many prophets have fallen into error by going beyond what God has spoken to them. Prophesy is something must always be discerned in dialog with others because in the New Testament, the teaching implies prophets can get it wrong.

You can see this kind of instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 which says – ‘Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good’.

In practice, this would normally involve writing down what you have to share and quickly checking with a member of the ministry team that it’s appropriate to share in that moment. This is because of the responsibility given to Church leaders in Hebrews 13:17 which says – ‘Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you’.

In the current situation, due to Covid-19, you can use the Something To Share form.

5. BE INTENTIONAL

1 Corinthians 14:1 teaches us to ‘pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy’.

It’s important not to miss how the words ‘pursue’ and ‘earnestly desire’ tell us that this is something which we should be actively asking and seeking God for.

It’s also worth considering the order in which these instructions are given. The instruction to pursue love comes first. Love needs to be the driving motivation that shapes our practice in offering encouragement and using spiritual gifts. If we are motivated by anything other than love, then we should not be sharing. This love must be genuine and be shaped by grace and mercy. Not ‘I love you but…’, it must be real genuine love that longs to see another person flourish in their life with Jesus. The famous chapter on love in 1 Corinthians 13 comes right in the middle of Paul’s teaching on the practice of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts and encouragement thrive in a culture where genuine love for one another is abundant.

The instruction to earnestly desire also shows us how it’s important to spend time waiting on the Lord as we ask the Holy Spirit to release spiritual gifts like prophecy which can help us build each other up. One way we can begin to proactively start encouraging other people is by intentionally praying as we walk into church. Ask God if there is anything you can share to bless another person.

If we are intentional about prayerfully seeking God we will find there are many opportunities to share encouragements with others, be that within a Sunday Gathering, on WhatsApp, over Zoom or by ringing someone up.

An intentional mindset will keep your eyes open and help you look for those opportunities to bless others.

6. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF

Sometimes the thought of sharing in public or with another person can be quite intimidating.

Romans 12:6 reminds us – ‘Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith’.

God gives us different gifts in his grace. We are all different, and the way God uses us is beautifully varied. We’re not to compare ourselves with others. Every contribution we make can be used by God to work in the life of someone else. God loves it when we use even the little we have.

Hear these words from Matthew 25:23 – ‘His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master’.

Share what you have in faith that God gave it to you for a reason.

7. KEEP YOUR WORDS SHORT AND SPECIFIC

Say what God has put on your heart, no more no less. This gives time for others to contribute and it allows time for seeking an interpretation if one is needed.

It’s perfectly ok to simply share Bible verses which God has spoken to you about in the last week and let the Holy Spirit do the work of application. At other moments you might want to offer a few words of explanation about what has struck you but try to avoid being overly lengthy and keep your words simple and concise.

8. STAY HUMBLE

When you share, speak as you normally would, and trust the Holy Spirit to work through you. Don’t over-spiritualise and remember that everything needs interpretation so avoid using the words: ‘God says...’ and instead opt for ‘I sense the Lord may be saying…’