From my reading in Hebrews 10:19-39 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

 70 percent of young adults ages 23-30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between ages 18-22. Tweet this

Young people and many older people are giving up on the church. Why? Part of the reason is that many churches are having quality services but are not doing a good job of facilitating true community. The writer of Hebrews gives us three ways to experience of the kind of community that I believe will keep people coming back!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb 10:24-25

 1. Think about how to encourage others.

“And let us consider…”

First of all, we have to think about ways to encourage others. So often in our lives we are so worried about our lives that we don’t actually think about how the needs of others.

2.  Spur each other on to love and good works.

…how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

We are to consider how we can “spur” each other toward love and good deeds. If you have ridden a horse you know that cowboys wear spurs in order to get the horses going.

Sometimes we need a good old fasion kick in the butt from our friends. 

We all have times where we need motivation, that’s why we shouldn’t give up on the church.

 3. Don’t give up meeting together.

 “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,”

We are to meet together regularly! So many people treat church as optional.  If I get all my homework done, if my kids don’t have a soccer game that morning, and if I feel like it then I will go to church.

The problem with this philosophy is that real friendships happen with regular contact.

Think about the people you are closest with. Probably the reason you are so close is that you spent a lot of time with them.

Make meeting with other believers a priority. Investing in others takes intentionality.

4. Encourage others urgently.

“but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

We need to be intentional about encouraging each other, because we only have a limited time.  Jesus’ return is only getting closer, we are only on this earth for a short time, and we need intentionally encourage others.

Don’t give up on the church. You need the people in it to spur you on and encourage you and others need you!

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