Building Up Others

As Lead Pastor of GraceTown Church I must enrich and protect our Church culture. I want us to have a life giving culture at GraceTown Church. A culture that builds, edifies, and gives life to people. One of the many ways to do that is to be a community of people that builds up others. The word "Build" means To construct, by assembling and joining parts, to establish, increase, and strengthen. To mold, form, create, or to base. Albert Schweitzer said, "You must give time to your fellow men, even if its a little thing, do something for other - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.".

“BE KINDLY AFFECTIONATE TO ONE ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY LOVE, IN HONOR GIVING PREFERENCE TO ONE ANOTHER.” (ROMANS 12:9-10)

In our fast paced world it can be easy sometimes to overlook others. In the day-to-day grind it becomes commonplace to see faces, but never know people. However, it is only in building up others that we empower others, and therefore empower ourselves. Below are 5 keys to building up others:

You must first be interested in others:

Don't think only about your own affairs... be interested in others.
Philippians 2:4 NLT

a. It's too easy to "think only about your own affairs." But God says, "Be
interested in others."

Show must genuine interest! The Bible says, "Laugh...when they're happy; share tears when they're down" ( Romans 12:15-16 TM). But you can only do that by taking the time to find out what's going on in their world.


1. Appreciate others and let them know it.

a. Prov. 3:27 (NLT)– “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.”
b. Every time you thank another person, you cause that person to like themselves better. Their self-esteem and self-image is improved. When a person feels appreciated, he or she also feels empowered to do more and to be more.

2. Give appreciation and it will be given back to you.

a. Luke 6:38(NLT) – “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving-large or small- it will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
b. Every time you say “thank you” to someone else, you like yourself better as well. Showing appreciation creates a more positive, confident outlook for the person demonstrating it. When you develop an attitude of gratitude that flows forth from you in all your interactions with others, people will want to be around you and lend their help and support.
c. Give them a push! Barnabas became known as a great encourager
because he "encouraged the believers" (Acts 11:23 NLT). What happens
when you push a child on a swing? Eventually they start doing it
themselves. They just needed a little help to get going. Even a smile
can work wonders. Job said, "When they were discouraged, I smiled... My
look of approval was precious to them" (Job 29:24 NLT).

3. Approve others continually.

a. Prov. 16:24(NLT) -“Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body”
b. Studies show that when children are praised by the people that they look up to, their energy levels rise, their heart rates and respiratory rates increase, and they feel happier about themselves overall. This is true of adults as well. There is a “self-fulfilling prophecy” element in this. The more that you “prophesy,” or speak into the lives of other people, whether it be positive or negative, the more that the person you are speaking to will begin to fulfill that prophecy.
c. Be interested in the other person, rather than talking about yourself.

4. Pay attention when others talk.

a. Heb. 2:1(NLT) – “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”
b. Although it seems basic, this is one of the most ignored principles of communication. The great majority of people are so busy trying to be heard that they become impatient when others are talking. This shows up in our body language and lack of eye contact. When you pay attention to others when they talk (look at them), you are showing them that you believe that what they have to say is important, and that they are important as well.
c. We have: Two Ears and One Mouth (There is a reason for that)
d. Hold your tongue! Don’t interrupt. Always say less than you think. Remember, "A fool utters all his mind...a wise man keeps it in" (Proverbs 29:11). And
since how you speak is as important as what you say, always be kind and
courteous.
e. Respond verbally & nonverbally. Don’t change the subject.

5. Practice the law of sowing and reaping in building up others.

a. Gal. 6:7(NLT) – “Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!”
b. Eph. 6:8 Principle
c. The law of sowing and reaping doesn’t just involve money. When you look for every opportunity to do and say things that make other people feel good about themselves, you may be surprised to see that others will look for ways to reciprocate your kindnesses toward them.
d. Matthew 7:12 (NKJV) – “Therefore, Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”