LOVING THE WEAK
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
The disciples here were unspiritual and immature. If someone needs milk, then give them milk, not meat.
A weak person, by definition, has a lower standard than expected and is also lacking in skill. Don't treat people with less skill and lower standards as those with a greater skill level. Instead, help them by meeting them at their level.
Q. Have you been loving the weak deeply?
Q. Do you quickly delegate the weak to someone else so that you can get with the strong/sharp/potential baptisms?
Working with the weak calls you to really love them and to be like Jesus. How do you help the weak? -
1 Corinthians 9:22
Become weak in order to with the weak, i.e. empathize, strive to understand them, and get in touch with how they are feeling.
Acts 20:35
It is not natural to spend time with the weak. We prefer those whose energy and enthusiasm encourage us. We must learn, therefore, to take interest in the well-being of the weak and to enjoy working with them.
-strengthen the disciples before they get too weak to change. Don't wait until they start missing church to figure out that they are experiencing some struggles.
-try to understand the weak and why they are so.
Romans 4:18
It is easy to lose hope with the weak and give up on them. In such a case we put effort into working with them, but are already convinced that they are beyond hope.
What people need is friendship. They need to know, also, that you trust their judgement and are not constantly picking at the things they say.
People need time to get back on the their feet, so they for those around them to be patient, not pushy, in helping them change.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Warn the idle - idle people get weak and fall away.
Encourage the timid - timid people are that way for a reason and need courage. So enCOURAGE them. Equip them on how to do the various things that a disciple needs to know how to do, e.g. lead studies, do a Bible Talk, date, have family time with their spouse, etc.
Be patient with everyone - when you get exasperated and frustrated with people, you will end up speaking to them negatively. Instead, then, paint a picture and give people a vision for who they can become.
Nobody becomes what and whom they need to be overnight. Work with them patiently.