Have you ever wondered why school football and basketball games have cheerleaders? If you’ve attended any of these games, I’m sure that you know the reason. The games are part exciting plays and part down time. In the less interesting parts of the game, talking to your friends or flirting with the boys might take your attention off the game so much that you miss the exciting parts.

That’s where cheerleaders come in. When referees assess a penalty or a coach calls a timeout, the cheerleaders organize a cheer so that people’s attention remains on the game. They keep fans’ enthusiasm high for their team. They encourage the team to play their best. Their most important job is to push the support for the team to the highest energy level as often as possible. What’s more, it works. Ask anyone who plays on a school football or basketball team if an enthusiastic crowd makes a difference in the game. The answer will be an emphatic yes.

This may be news to you, but part of your life as a Christian is to be a cheerleader. You won’t find the word “cheerleader” in your Bible, but you will find the command to encourage others. As you well know, cheerleaders encourage their team, so when you read about the need to “encourage,” think about cheerleaders.

OK, (I hear you say) then whom do I encourage? That’s a very good question. Cheerleaders encourage their team. They don’t say “Coach that team!” to the men standing on the sidelines. No, they yell, “Go for the touchdown!” to the players on the field. In a similar fashion, you are meant to encourage those who are your spiritual brothers and sisters.

If you have been joined to Jesus Christ by faith, then you have also been joined to everyone else who confesses Jesus as his or her Savior.  The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (ESV) The “one another” in the verse refers to those Christians who know each other. (Unless you know what’s happening in a person’s life, it’s difficult to encourage them.) So here’s one answer: encourage Christians that you know. Watch for opportunities to encourage your friends and acquaintances.

I hear another question: How do I know when someone needs encouragement?  Just a few verses down from our previous scripture is 1 Thessalonians 5:14. That gives us wisdom on how to better identify those who need our encouragement: “And we urge you,… encourage the fainthearted…” (ESV). Other versions of the Bible say the timid, afraid, or discouraged ones.

Therefore, when you see someone you know is a Christian having a hard time with their spiritual life – maybe they are afraid to talk about Jesus, want to read their Bible but can’t find a time or plan that works for them, or try to obey their parents but struggle with a rebellious attitude – ask God to show you a way to encourage them, then get out there and be a cheerleader.


Lynnda Ell has been an active Christian for over 50 years She has three adult daughters and five grandchildren. She has had careers in accounting, direct sales, electrical engineering and writing. She lives and worships in New Orleans, LA. Check out Lynnda's blog.