Beta 5

Enjoying Great Relationships

Why do we need other people?

Why do we need other people?• Share our problems and joys

Why do we need other people?• Share our problems and joys• Enrich our lives and theirs

Why do we need other people?• Share our problems and joys• Enrich our lives and theirs• Find a sense of identity and purpose

Why do we need other people?• Share our problems and joys• Enrich our lives and theirs• Find a sense of identity and purpose• Be contributors and not just consumers

Jesus had 4 levels of relationship

Jesus had 4 levels of relationship

• Close friends – Peter, James and John

Jesus had 4 levels of relationship

• Close friends – Peter, James and John• The 12 disciples

Jesus had 4 levels of relationship

• Close friends – Peter, James and John• The 12 disciples• A group of 70/ 72

Jesus had 4 levels of relationship

• Close friends – Peter, James and John• The 12 disciples• A group of 70/ 72• Large crowds

1. Find Close FriendsThen Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, “This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”

Matthew 26: 36-38 The Message

1. Find Close Friends

2. Be Involved in A LifeGroupJesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Mark 3: 13-15 NIV

2. Be Involved in A LifeGroup

3. Engage with your ClusterThe Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit... When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

Luke 10: 1+17 NLT

3. Engage with your Cluster

4. Contribute to CelebrationsJesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things

Mark 6: 34 NLT

4. Contribute to Celebrations

Table discussion time

Jesus had different levels of relationship – with his 3 closest friends, the 12 disciples, the group of 70 and large crowds.

What benefits do we get in each one of these groups? What happens to us if we are missing one of these groups, for example the LifeGroup sized group?

4 steps to healthy relationshipsApply them to all relationships:-

‘You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.’

Ephesians 4: 22-24 NIV

“Put Off – Think – Put On”Three key questions:-

“Put Off – Think – Put On”Three key questions:-

1. What do I need to say sorry to God for and stop doing?

“Put Off – Think – Put On”Three key questions:-

1. What do I need to say sorry to God for and stop doing?

2. Where do I need to ask the Holy Spirit to help me think differently?

“Put Off – Think – Put On”Three key questions:-

1. What do I need to say sorry to God for and stop doing?

2. Where do I need to ask the Holy Spirit to help me think differently?

3. What do I need to start doing?

“Put Off – Think – Put On”

1. Honour GodTherefore I... beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God

Ephesians 4: 1 NLT

2. Walk in LoveLove is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance... Love will last forever!

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NLT

2. Walk in Love

3. Forgive QuicklyBe kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4: 32 NIV

4. Speak WellDon’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you

say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.

Ephesians 4: 29-31 NLT

Father, please forgive me for ...

Holy Spirit, renew my mind so I might live more like the child of God that I am... Specifically, help me to know...

Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to put on...