From my reading in 1 Thessalonians 5 in the One Year Bible New Testament.
There is no “one size fits all” approach to ministry.
Each person must be helped in a different way. That is why the more personal touches that people can get the better. That doesn’t mean that the leader has to be the one who is helping. We all should be helping each other. Paul gives us some valuable instructions for dealing with different people.
“Brothers 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.” 1 Thess 5:14
Warn those who are lazy.
Lazy people need to be woken up! Laziness is not something to be laughed off but it is stealing.
When you are lazy you stealing from what you should be doing. You are stealing from your family by not fully engaging in loving them. You are stealing from employer by not giving your best job. You are stealing from God by not serving him with your whole heart. A verse that inspires me not to be lazy is…
“A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.” Pro 19:9
We must warn people that being lazy is not cute, but it actually destroys people’s lives.
Encourage those who are timid.
People need a kick in the pants sometimes. If someone is too timid to do what God has called them to do some well timed encouragement can go a long way. Sometimes when I go out to share my faith I really don’t feel like it, but the encouragement of another person can really give me the faith I need to go out and do the work.
Take tender care of those who are weak.
Tough love does not work with people who are weak. Instead they should be taken care of with tenderness. Weak people need to be cared for tenderly until they can take care of themselves. Don’t push people too hard and wear them out. Take care of them as their needs dictate.
Be patient with everyone.
Everyone needs you to be patient with them sometimes. Even the easiest and most compatible people to you will let you down eventually. My wife and I are very compatible but even then we have to give each other grace almost daily!
If you want to work with people you have to learn patience. People will let you down, and if you are prepared to respond with patience you will keep the loyalty of those you are leading and your relationships will be strong.
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