Question 1

How can we build each other up?

Accepted Answer

1 Peter 3:8All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.All these instructions emphasize the need for unity within the body of Christ. When we are of one mind, we can sense what others need because they are the same things we need. A humble attitude is willing to give before it receives.1 Corinthians 8:1While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.The Corinthians appealed to Paul to settle a disagreement, but their question revealed their lack of unity more than it displayed their knowledge. Paul was more interested in building them up by emphasizing their need to love one another than he was in settling their disputes.Ephesians 4:2Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.After challenging the Ephesians to lead lives worthy of their calling, Paul listed a few of the ways they could carry out that calling. None of the attitudes and actions he listed can be practiced without the involvement of other people. The loving way we treat one another lays the foundation for building one another up.Romans 15:2We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.Paul instructed the Christians in Rome to care for one another’s consciences by giving up certain freedoms that could tempt their brothers and sisters to sin. We cannot build each other up if we are more concerned about our rights than we are about others’ souls.1 Corinthians 10:23-24You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.Considering others’ welfare helps us to build each other up in Christ. Sometimes this requires foregoing what we might otherwise have done in order to benefit someone we love.Ephesians 4:32Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.God showed the ultimate kindness toward us by extending forgiveness through Christ. Our ever-growing appreciation for that great gift ought to motivate our treatment of others in every way.Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.We can make allowance for the faults of others by remembering our own capacity for bringing sin into relationships. Forgiving each other helps us to build each other up.Romans 12:18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.We must not be discouraged in our efforts to build up other Christians or to encourage unity and peace among believers. Not everyone will always embrace the unity or peace that Christ offers, but that doesn’t give us an excuse to stop pursuing it.Job 29:24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.Our body language communicates more than we realize. Others can read approval or delight in the ways we look at them. Don’t underestimate how important a kind smile can be when others are going through challenges. Our attention encourages them.Proverbs 15:30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.We can build others up simply by means of a look that communicates approval and acceptance. We should also avoid being the bearers of unhelpful bad news.Hebrews 10:24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.We can build others up by urging them to persevere in their lives of faith. In order to do this, we need to know and love others well, carefully considering what words and actions will bolster their walk with Christ.1 Thessalonians 5:14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.There is no one-size-fits-all approach to helping others live out their faith. Some people need a loving warning, but others need gentle encouragement. In all circumstances, our default position toward others should be patience.2 Corinthians 13:11Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.Paul’s closing thoughts in this letter emphasize the necessary practices of living together well as believers. Joy, maturity, encouragement, harmony, and peace all develop as God makes himself known in the back-and-forth of relationships in the body of Christ.1 Thessalonians 5:11Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.The best way to build someone up is to notice something that is already excellent in their lives and to encourage them to continue in it. People are slow to receive encouragement when it begins with “You are doing it wrong.”Ephesians 4:29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.The ways we speak as well as the content of what we say are powerful materials for building up others. Even when we think few are listening, we should speak so that anyone who overhears us will be encouraged.1 Samuel 23:16Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.David had no finer friend than Jonathan. It’s one thing to encourage people as they cross your path; it’s another to go out of your way or even take risks to encourage them. As always, encouragement isn’t complete if it doesn’t direct someone toward God.Acts 11:23When [Barnabas] arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.Barnabas witnessed the faith of Gentiles who were joining the body of Christ in Antioch, and he rejoiced. We can build others up as he did by affirming and encouraging them in their relationship with God.Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.When the gospel has taken over our lives, we can’t help but share its wisdom and joy with those around us. Teaching and singing about God’s goodness should be a lifestyle of all God’s people.Titus 1:9[A church leader] must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.Leaders set an example in the local church. Their winsome faithfulness builds up others and provides an effective rebuke to challenges from outside the church.2 Chronicles 30:22Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites regarding the skill they displayed as they served the Lord.We can build others up by acknowledging their skillful service to the Lord. In this passage, the king took time to recognize the effective service of the Levites, who served God’s people by leading them in worship. Those in leadership positions in your life can always benefit from your encouragement.Romans 12:10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.Authentic love and honor flow out of time spent appreciating how God has made others and what a significant role they play in our lives. God desires that we work toward this deep, heartfelt love rather than being content with superficial community.Romans 13:8Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another.We can build others up by settling any debts and avoiding giving offense by misusing others’ generosity.Romans 14:19Let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.We can build others up by making peace in our relationships with them. The word “harmony” offers a great way to picture a diverse group of people choosing to live in unity for the sake of Christ. Unity disappears when we tear each other down.

Question 2

What are the results of building each other up?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 4:12-15[The leaders’] responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.It’s true that God has called certain people to lead his people as we all minister to one another. But he hasn’t called the leaders to do all the ministry themselves while the rest of the church cheers them on. When the members of a church aren’t ministering to one another, the church will no longer be able to function well.1 Corinthians 14:26When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.We serve the church best when we understand our roles and gifts and work together with the rest of the body so that all may benefit. We must be careful not to overstep our boundaries or to seek attention for our particular contributions.

Building Up