As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 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. Getting Started 1. If you could nominate someone (or a few people) for unselfish service to others, who would it be? 2. Share a time when someone’s words of encourage (in person, in a note, etc.) helped to lift you up? Texts to explore Proverbs 27:17
1. Does iron sharpens iron sound like it has a bit of an edge to it? In what sense is there a need for iron to sharpen iron rather than something softer?
2. Do you see this happening much? Why do you think that is the case?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-‐10
3. How would you explain this passage to a child? A teen? An adult who is new to faith?
4. What are some ways that people can fall and another help them up?
Hebrews 10:23-‐25
5. What does it mean to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess”?
6. To what are the readers told to “spur one another on toward”?
7. Why would people need to consider “how” they were to spur others? Have you considered how you are doing this or could do this in the future?
8. From this passage, what are some of the reasons why believers should meet together?
9. What are some ways we as individuals, and as a group, can put these three passages into practice in our lives? What kind of difference could that make?