Pursuing Godly Relationships

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Pursuing Godly Relationships
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Our Relationship with Family
whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is
my brother and sister and mother.
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Our Relationship with ourFriends / Peers
Friendships that are not supernatural are
superficial
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Our Relationship with the

• OPPOSITE SEX

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD and He will give
you the desires of your heart.
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Our Relationship w/ the World
For though we live in the world, we do not wage
war as the world does. 2 Corinthians 103
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Difficult Relationships
And if you do good to those do good to you. What
credit is that to you? Even sinners do
that-Luke 633-
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Difficult Relationships

• WHAT IS OUR THEME?
• Blessed are those who love you, O God, and love
  their friends in you and their enemies for your
  sake (St. Augustine).
• Relationships that are not supernatural, are
  superficial.
• Romans 1218If it is possible, as far as it
  depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

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Is it possible?

• So far we have spoken about how to pursue God,
  and Gods ideal in each of our natural
  relationships.
• With whom do we struggle the most to pursue this
  ideal?
• Could be anyone
• Family parents, siblings
• Friends surface and shallow
• Acquaintances classmates, strangers
• Those who are different in their opinion /
  views, appearance, actions

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Nothing worth having is easy

• We grow as much or more through our victories in
  these relationships, because our interactions are
  NOT EASY.

• Part of being a Christian means that we will
  encounter all sorts of challenges, many times
  brought on through our interactions with other
  people.

• Not just people who are different than us, all
  relationships are difficult, even a relationship
  with a close friend requires work.

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Is it worth it?

• Every life counts for something. Each of us make
  a difference in others lives what kind of
  difference will we make?

• We cannot be friends with everyone. Nor can
  every broken relationship be reconciled.

• But we can recognize that every life is precious
  to God as He created each one of us. Let us not
  wait for tragedy to bring people together.

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Conflict Resolution Purpose Driven Life

• Talk to God before talking to another person
• Always take the initiative
• Sympathize with the feelings of others.
• Confess youre part of the conflict
• Attack the problem, not the person
• Cooperate (without compromise) whenever possible
• Emphasize reconciliation not resolution

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Biblical Perspectives

• Job
• Had to endure friends patronizing him
  constantly
• Hosea 11-2 31
• God gave Hosea the grace to love an adulteress
  wife
• Matthew 544-48
• Challenge is radical...love your enemies
• Luke 627-36
• Golden ruledo unto others
• If you love those who
• love you, are like you, think like you,
• what credit is that?
• Romans 1214-17
• Do not be proud to associate w/ people of .
  position
• 2 Corinthians 518
• God has restored our relationship with Him, and
  given us this ministry of relationship
  restoration
• Philippians 24 / Romans 152
• Be concerned about the interests of others
• 1 Peter 48
• Love covers over a multitude of sin

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Suggestions for Fasting and Feasting

• Fast from discontent feast on thankfulness.
• Fast from worry feast on trust.
• Fast from anger feast on patience.
• Fast from self-concern feast on compassion for
  others.
• Fast from unrelenting pressures feast on
  unceasing prayers.
• Fast from bitterness feast on forgiveness.
• Fast from discouragement, feast on hope.
• Fast from media hype, feast on the honesty of the
  Bible.
• Fast from idle gossip feast on purposeful
  silence.
• Fast from problems that overwhelm feast on
  prayer that under-girds. Anonymous

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Discussion Questions

• What perspectives does scripture offer on dealing
  with difficult relatiosnhips, circumstances,
  situations?
• With whom do you struggle to pursue Gods ideal?
  To love unconditionally? Who gets under your
  skin (flesh) the most? Why?
• Do you ever find yourself avoiding/appeasing
  certain people, situations, issues instead of
  handling conflict?
• Is it possible to be at peace with everyone?
  Why or Why not? Why did God give us this
  standard?
• What part do you play in the relationships in
  your life that are difficult?
• What steps can you take to recognize and reach
  out to those you normally wouldnt?In your
  everyday life who is out there that you have
  disappointed or has disappointed you, what are
  YOU going to do about it?