Faith-Shaped Relationships

This week will explore how our relationships should be shaped by our faith generally, exploring aspects of family relationships, friendships, and relationships in different spheres of life.

Sermon Outline

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Revelation 21:3)

God is the God of Relationships

• God made us in His image, in part, to be in a relationship with Him. (Genesis 1:26-27, Ephesians 3:14-15)
• The relationship was lost when we sinned against Him. (Genesis 3:1-17, Romans 3:23)
• Jesus Christ, because of God’s love for us, through His death and resurrection, reconciled us back to the Father. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:13-17, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 , 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
• In this relationship with God, we are to love Him, as He loves us. (John 3:16, 1 John 3:16, Matthew 22:37-40, 1 John 4:7-10, John 14:15)

Faith-Shaped Relationships with Siblings

• Love and enjoy your siblings. Do things together. Create memories.
• Avoid jealousy, bitterness, strife, and destructive conflicts that lead to division. Forgive.
• Pray for, and with, your siblings. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Colossians 3:12-17)

Faith-Shaped Relationships with Parents

• Honor your parents, enjoy your parents, love them, do not forget them, and take care of them. (Exodus 12:2, Proverbs 23:22, 1 Timothy 5:8)

A Faith-Shaped Relationship with Friends

• This is one of the few relationships that we can choose for ourselves. Choose wisely.
• Love your friends. Be loyal, Sacrifice, and spend time with them. Enjoy them. Do not forget them. Remember to say thank you. (Romans 12:9-10, Proverbs 17:17, 27:17, 18:24, 27:9 )

God Intends to be in a Relationship with us Forever (Revelation 21:3-4)

• He will be our God, and we will be His people. Death will be defeated (Revelation 20:14). No more curse (Revelation 22:3). No more night.

Effective Communication is Key to having Healthy Relationships (Ephesians 4:29, Luke 17:3-4, Proverbs 15:1)

Personal Conflict Resolution Techniques from the Bible By Ken Sande

• Glorify God
• Get the log out of your eyes
• Gently restore
• Go and be reconciled

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Share about a friend or sibling who poured into you and has been a blessing.
2. This week, we continue our sermon series entitled “Everyday Ordinary Faith.” This week, we focused on faith-shaped relationships. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word.
3. God, in His infinite grace and love, established a relationship with humans, so He made us in His image. Read Genesis 1:26-27.
4. How did mankind break the relationship we had with God? See Genesis 3:1-17, Romans 3:23.
5. Why and how did God restore the relationship? See John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.
6. Sibling rivalry is a thing. Read the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-11. What jumps out at you?
7. Several other passages give more information about Cain and Abel. Read Hebrews 11:4. What does this tell us about the role of faith in God as to why Abel’s offering was accepted?
8. How should siblings relate to one another? (Colossians 3:8-10, 12-17, Romans 12:9-10)
9. How should friends relate? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Ephesians 4:29,32, 5:21, Galatians 5:14-15, Hebrews 13:16, Psalm 133:1).
10. How should we relate to our parents? Read Exodus 20:2 and Proverbs 23:22).
11. The book of Proverbs contains a lot of practical advice on building healthy relationships:
    1. Read these verses and see how to deal with conflict: 17:9, 19:11, 17:14, 15:18, 25:21-22
    2. How to build stronger friendships and loyalty: 17:17, 27:17, 18:24, 27:6, 27:9
    3. How to communicate with one another: 15:1, 16:24, 10:19, 12:18, 18:13

DIG DEEPER

Exploring Faith:

• Check out the following verses from the book of Proverbs on how our words can build, maintain, and repair relationships: 15:1, 16:24, 10:19, 12:18, and 18:13.
• Who are your friends? Do they build you up? Are they life-giving?
• God wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to give you life abundantly. He loves you. Read the following verses: John 3:16, 1 John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

Growing in Faith

• Send a text to an old friend and reconnect. At a minimum, thank them for being a blessing in your life.
• Write a love note to God, expressing your love to Him. Show gratitude.

Centered in Faith

• Explore more about the Trinity—the relationship that God has with Himself. Watch the Bible Project video on the Holy Trinity and how they relate to one another. youtube.com/watch?v=eAvYmE2YYIU&t=2s
• Think of ways to thank God for who He is and what He has done and continues to do. Apply them to your life. Live a life of gratitude to God who chooses to relate with you.