Have you ever thought about the meaning of the word encourage? We often use words knowing their general meaning, or what they mean in our cultural context, but often we do not stop to think about the literal meaning of the words we use. 
To encourage literally means to put courage in. This is how Webster’s Dictionary defines it. To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit.
We all need encouragement. It is part of the general need we have as humans. I remember seeing a cartoon where an old lady was talking to another member of her congregation after a church service. This is what she said. “I love to encourage our young people. I always tell them what they are doing wrong.” Some encouragement!! You can imagine the look on the face of the lady in the cartoon who heard these comments. But the cartoonist captured something of life in the church quite accurately. If only there were more people to encourage one another, how much more could be accomplished in the kingdom of God!
Growing Deep and Strong provides a great environment for new Christians who are starting on a discipleship journey to be encouraged by their coaches. Coaches themselves need encouragement, and that is readily available through the group leader, and also through contact with us via the website, or through phone or email. Fellow Christians have a powerful influence on each other in the ministry of encouragement. Coaches can help each other to be bold as they minister to their disciples, and together they can inspire confidence of success in what God has called them to do. After all, God is faithful to His promises.
The Bible tells us of the story of how Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of the children of Israel. In Deuteronomy 3:28, this is what God said to Moses regarding the handing on of leadership. “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him.” So Deuteronomy 31 records how Moses did what God commanded him to do.  
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." 
And it is interesting that God used exactly the same words when Joshua took over the leadership of Israel after Moses had died. This is what He said to Joshua in Joshua 1:6,7&9. 
“Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 
In verse 18 the people used exactly the same words to encourage Joshua. And then Joshua used the same words as he prepared the people to take the Promised Land. See Joshua 10:25.
And Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight."
Why is it so important for us to understand this truth? Because the Bible calls God “the God of steadfastness and encouragement, Romans 15:6. Each of us can expect to receive encouragement from our fellow Christians, and each of us should expect to minister it as well. The more we do, the more we reflect the nature of God in our lives. And it may well be that the same words that God uses to encourage us are the very same words that we can use to encourage others. 
The Growing Deep and Strong Series helps you naturally to encourage new Christians as they grow and mature. It is designed to make it easy for you to do that and also for them to pass the same ministry on to the next generation of new Christians. 
We urge you to develop the ministry of encouragement, and see what God will do through you. You will be blessed, and be a blessing to so many others.
David W Searle
Co-author of Growing Deep and Strong Series