So glad you want Deeper Coaching. Dig in here and let God grow you.
Week 7: Re-Start with Connection & Encouragement
TIP
Don’t overthink reconnection. Connecting to a friend with one good question, one honest admission, or one moment of simply listening can restart the engine of friendship.
QUESTION
When’s the last time you reached out to a friend just to encourage him—with no agenda?
PARABLE
Mike began taking small steps. One Thursday after work, he texted two guys he used to play hoops with. He invited them for a burger, to just re-connect and “check in.” They came, ate, and laughed. Mike affirmed them and showed interest in their lives. What struck Mike was that one of them said, “Man, I needed this. I’ve been in a funk lately.”
Mike didn’t do much—but he did well. Turns out, showing up—even if we’re in a funk—is powerful.
EXAMINE SELF
How often do you encourage, thank or affirm a friend, without expecting something back?
- Consistently
- Often
- Occasionally
- Rarely
- Never
SCRIPTURE
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
QUOTE
“Encouragement is oxygen for the soul.” — George M. Adams
ACTION STEP
Identify two friends you’ve drifted from or lost connection with. Text one today to say you were thinking about him & ask, “What’s been good and what’s been tough lately?” Text the other guy later this week.
COMMITMENT
Plan one simple get-together this week. Low-key—just coffee, a call, or meet at the gym. Reinforce the value of showing up, encouraging, and being interested in the personal parts of our lives – not trying to fix each other.
CONFESSION
I’ve let busyness, discouragement or shame distance me from friends. I forgot that small steps are still positive steps.
REPENTANCE
Father God, thank You for grace to start again. Help me value progress over perfection. I want to be a friend who stays in touch to encourage and stay current.
HABIT
Create a recurring reminder on your phone: “Encourage my friend today.” Send him a voice memo, a funny memory, a prayer text, or a short verse. Be an initiator.
COACHING
Today I want you to write down your vision for the kind of friend you want to be. Start with a couple words or phrases.
DISCUSS WITH A FRIEND
Talk with a friend about a time someone stuck with you during a tough season or life blitz. Then share the kind of friend you want to be, and ask him to pray for and encourage you this month.
PRAYER
God, Thank you for being the perfect friend who never gives up on me. Help me be more like You as a friend. Show me where to lean in and who to authentically connect with this month.
We tangibly can connect more consistently and deeply to our core friends by naming and actually charting the things that distance or connect us consistently and deeply to our core friends.
CHECK IN WITH A FRIEND
Call a friend to connect: “Anything I can encourage you in this week?” Leave a message or text, if needed. Follow up with, “Mind if I pray for that?” Just pray simply like: “Father, You care most and want the best for him, so do what’s best and help him trust You in this.” Later this week, pray again and let him know you did. It means more than you think.
