Pilgrim,

Thanks for the reply!
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However, I don't see any correlation between being in close fellowship with someone and somehow giving them false assurance. It has never been my practice to tell anyone that they are infallibly reconciled with God and justified in His sight. I believe that only the Holy Spirit is warranted and capable of instilling assurance in anyone's heart.
I fully agree. I was not clear about my particular situation, in which I teach 1 weekly class to about a dozen men in a discipleship program. While some men remain in the program for its intended duration of 1 year, most leave after a number of months, some after a week or two. In an attempt to encourage those who truly believe--which number is obviously known only to the Lord--I like to try to speak to the new men for a few minutes, although I don't always do it with every man. At the same time I like to keep deepening relationships with those who have been around longer, who usually are those seeming to make more progress. My concern over giving false assurance is not about what I say, but rather about my balancing time spent with older and newer arrivals so as not to show favoritism. The men are always in close proximity, so I don't want (newcomer) A thinking: "wow, P seems to be treating me just like he treats (old-timer) B, who really has it together. He must think I'm doing all right too!" Looks silly, having typed it out, but it has weighed on me at times: should I be less familiar with the newer men until I can sense from their conversation and conduct whether they even hope to persevere, or will I miss opportunities by doing so?

As I write, I am recalling "make the most of every opportunity". That seems best, without being concerned over appearances!

In Christ,
Paul S