As believers, we’re called to see our church family as the mission field, a truth Hebrews 10:24–25 makes clear, reminding us of the importance of encouraging one another in church.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25 (CSB)
“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Out of sight, out of mind.”
The average person processes around 74 gigabytes of data each day, more than someone in the 1500s would have taken in over a lifetime. With that much input flooding our minds, it’s no surprise that things get pushed aside and forgotten.
But here’s what’s fascinating: we’re far more likely to remember something when we’ve actually seen it. Visual cues trigger stronger memory pathways than things we only hear or think about. Seeing someone face-to-face activates parts of our brain linked to empathy, attention, and recall.
Encouraging One Another in Church
Connection:
Hebrews 10 doesn’t just tell us to gather. It tells us to consider one another, to make a habit of thinking about others for the purpose of stirring up love and good works, the heart of encouraging one another in church.’t likely to happen by accident.
When we’re physically present with our church family, we’re far more likely to notice who seems weary, who’s missing, or who just needs a kind word. God wired us for connection that’s face-to-face and heart-to-heart. That’s why encouraging one another in church matters so deeply, it shapes us, strengthens our relationships, and reflects Christ’s love in practical ways.
This passage reminds us that gathering isn’t just about getting something out of church. It’s about showing up with our eyes open, ready to be the encouragement someone else might be praying for.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to think of my Christian brothers and sisters. Not just when I see them, but even when I don’t.
Bring them to mind so I’ll be moved to love them in both thought and action.
Give me the desire, and the follow-through, to make meeting together a priority.
Amen.
This devotion was first written as part of the 40th Anniversary Celebration at Northeast Bible Church. I had the privilege of joining others in our church family in creating a collection of reflections for that milestone season. What you’ll read here is the piece I contributed, shared again so it can continue pointing hearts back to Christ beyond that celebration. If you are interested in reading the full collaboration, you can find it here.
You can read more reflections like this on my Devotions page, where each post is written to encourage you with Scripture and practical faith for everyday life.
