Let Us
The Power of “Let Us”
Recently, I was asked to lead a conversation around a simple but important question:
How can a team walk with Jesus together?
How do we keep the purpose for which Christ formed us at the front of our minds? How do we make sure that, in the busyness of doing things for Jesus, we do not neglect becoming more like Jesus?
Much of the answer is found in the habits we practice together. Habits are quietly powerful.
What we repeatedly do eventually shapes who we become. Every ministry develops habits—ways of praying, communicating, gathering, encouraging, and challenging. Over time, these habits form our culture and shape our souls.
Hebrews 10:19–25 gives us five habits that should be at the heart of every group God brings together. Each begins with two important words:
“Let us…”
Not “you should.”
Not “they ought to.”
Not even “I will.”
Let us.
Following Jesus is personal, but it was never intended to be private.
1. Let Us Draw Near to God
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…”
—Hebrews 10:22
The primary purpose of a ministry team is not simply to accomplish a task, but to draw closer to God.
Tasks matter, but in ministry they must never become the priority. A team can execute every plan and reach every measurable goal—yet still miss what matters most.
Effective ministry flows from the overflow of what God is doing within us. Drawing near to God must therefore become a shared habit. We pray together, open Scripture together, and remind one another that intimacy with Jesus is always more important than activity for Jesus.
Before asking, “What are we accomplishing?” perhaps we should ask, “Who are we becoming?”
2. Let Us Hold On to Hope
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
—Hebrews 10:23
Our hope can rise and fall with staggering speed. One encouraging conversation fills us with confidence; one disappointment leaves us questioning everything.
That is one reason God gives us one another.
Sometimes we need people to hold hope with us when our own grip weakens. We need teammates who remind us of what is true when our circumstances become loud.
Our hope is not built upon everything going according to plan. It is anchored in the faithfulness of the One who made the promise.
There will be times when you carry hope for someone else—and times when you need them to carry it for you.
3. Let Us Spur One Another On
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
—Hebrews 10:24
My friend Kim talks about a problem that can develop within ministry teams called “terminal niceness.” We avoid difficult conversations because we want to keep everything comfortable. We confuse being nice with being loving.
But sometimes love comforts us, and sometimes love confronts us. To spur someone on is not permission to criticize carelessly. It requires tender courage—enough tenderness to protect the relationship and enough courage to say what needs to be said.
Sometimes the most loving words we can offer are: “I believe there is more in you, and I don’t want you to settle for less than what God is calling you to become.”
Who has permission to lovingly challenge you?
4. Let Us Keep Meeting Together
“Let us not give up meeting together…”
—Hebrews 10:25
This passage speaks about Christian fellowship, but it also reminds ministry teams that presence matters.
I confess that while I am not usually in the habit of missing meetings, I can sometimes neglect to be fully present in them. My body remains in the room while my attention quietly leaves it.
Gathering is about more than attendance; it is about attention. We honor one another by bringing our best focus, our honest contribution, and our willingness to listen.
Showing up is a habit. Listening is a habit. Being fully present is a habit.
We cannot genuinely walk with people if we are never fully present with them.
5. Let Us Encourage One Another
“But encouraging one another…” —Hebrews 10:25
Encouragement is not an optional extra for a healthy ministry team. It is the environment in which people grow.
To encourage someone is to put courage into them. That rarely happens accidentally—it must become an intentional habit.
Notice people’s effort. Celebrate their growth. Name what you see God doing within them. Do not assume they already know how much they matter.
The world will give people plenty of reasons to lose heart. Those who follow Jesus should help one another find courage again.
The Power of “Let Us”
Ministry has never been about lone rangers accomplishing impressive things for God. It is about people participating in the purposes of God together.
These habits may seem small and often remain unseen. But small things, faithfully repeated, shape hearts, strengthen teams, and change lives.
The hidden habits of a team eventually become the visible fruit of its ministry.
Perhaps that is why Hebrews does not say, “Try harder by yourself.” - It says, "Let Us"
Recently, I was asked to lead a conversation around a simple but important question:
How can a team walk with Jesus together?
How do we keep the purpose for which Christ formed us at the front of our minds? How do we make sure that, in the busyness of doing things for Jesus, we do not neglect becoming more like Jesus?
Much of the answer is found in the habits we practice together. Habits are quietly powerful.
What we repeatedly do eventually shapes who we become. Every ministry develops habits—ways of praying, communicating, gathering, encouraging, and challenging. Over time, these habits form our culture and shape our souls.
Hebrews 10:19–25 gives us five habits that should be at the heart of every group God brings together. Each begins with two important words:
“Let us…”
Not “you should.”
Not “they ought to.”
Not even “I will.”
Let us.
Following Jesus is personal, but it was never intended to be private.
1. Let Us Draw Near to God
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…”
—Hebrews 10:22
The primary purpose of a ministry team is not simply to accomplish a task, but to draw closer to God.
Tasks matter, but in ministry they must never become the priority. A team can execute every plan and reach every measurable goal—yet still miss what matters most.
Effective ministry flows from the overflow of what God is doing within us. Drawing near to God must therefore become a shared habit. We pray together, open Scripture together, and remind one another that intimacy with Jesus is always more important than activity for Jesus.
Before asking, “What are we accomplishing?” perhaps we should ask, “Who are we becoming?”
2. Let Us Hold On to Hope
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
—Hebrews 10:23
Our hope can rise and fall with staggering speed. One encouraging conversation fills us with confidence; one disappointment leaves us questioning everything.
That is one reason God gives us one another.
Sometimes we need people to hold hope with us when our own grip weakens. We need teammates who remind us of what is true when our circumstances become loud.
Our hope is not built upon everything going according to plan. It is anchored in the faithfulness of the One who made the promise.
There will be times when you carry hope for someone else—and times when you need them to carry it for you.
3. Let Us Spur One Another On
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
—Hebrews 10:24
My friend Kim talks about a problem that can develop within ministry teams called “terminal niceness.” We avoid difficult conversations because we want to keep everything comfortable. We confuse being nice with being loving.
But sometimes love comforts us, and sometimes love confronts us. To spur someone on is not permission to criticize carelessly. It requires tender courage—enough tenderness to protect the relationship and enough courage to say what needs to be said.
Sometimes the most loving words we can offer are: “I believe there is more in you, and I don’t want you to settle for less than what God is calling you to become.”
Who has permission to lovingly challenge you?
4. Let Us Keep Meeting Together
“Let us not give up meeting together…”
—Hebrews 10:25
This passage speaks about Christian fellowship, but it also reminds ministry teams that presence matters.
I confess that while I am not usually in the habit of missing meetings, I can sometimes neglect to be fully present in them. My body remains in the room while my attention quietly leaves it.
Gathering is about more than attendance; it is about attention. We honor one another by bringing our best focus, our honest contribution, and our willingness to listen.
Showing up is a habit. Listening is a habit. Being fully present is a habit.
We cannot genuinely walk with people if we are never fully present with them.
5. Let Us Encourage One Another
“But encouraging one another…” —Hebrews 10:25
Encouragement is not an optional extra for a healthy ministry team. It is the environment in which people grow.
To encourage someone is to put courage into them. That rarely happens accidentally—it must become an intentional habit.
Notice people’s effort. Celebrate their growth. Name what you see God doing within them. Do not assume they already know how much they matter.
The world will give people plenty of reasons to lose heart. Those who follow Jesus should help one another find courage again.
The Power of “Let Us”
Ministry has never been about lone rangers accomplishing impressive things for God. It is about people participating in the purposes of God together.
- We draw near together.
- We hold onto hope together.
- We spur one another forward.
- We keep showing up.
- We encourage one another.
These habits may seem small and often remain unseen. But small things, faithfully repeated, shape hearts, strengthen teams, and change lives.
The hidden habits of a team eventually become the visible fruit of its ministry.
Perhaps that is why Hebrews does not say, “Try harder by yourself.” - It says, "Let Us"
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