Out Of Order: Relationships

God created us for relationships, and He uses healthy relationships to help us become who He created us to be. We were never meant to do life alone.

REVIEW: Relationships Connect Us.

READ: Genesis 2:18
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

DISCUSS: Where in your life are you most tempted to isolate yourself, and what might that reveal about your need for connection?

REVIEW: Relationships Protect Us

READ: READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”

DISCUSS: What are you more likely to believe, do, or become when you are isolated, and how could the right people help you see things differently?

REVIEW: Relationships Grow Us.

READ: Galatians 5:22–23
““But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

DISCUSS: What do your closest relationships reveal about the areas of your character that God may still be working on?

REVIEW: Relationships Stretch Us.

READ: Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

DISCUSS: When was the last time you allowed someone to challenge you or speak truth into your life, and what did you learn about yourself through it?

‍

ASK

Who are the people closest to you, and are those relationships helping you become more like Jesus?

PRAY

Jesus, thank You for creating us for relationship and community. Help us recognize the people You have placed in our lives to connect us, protect us, grow us, and stretch us. Give us the courage to be known, the humility to receive correction, and the wisdom to build healthy relationships. Help us get connected and become people who love, encourage, protect, and point others toward You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

INVITATION TO RESPOND

The invitation this week is to get connected. Healthy relationships are where God shapes us to become more like Jesus. Here are five ways you can respond this week:

• Connect: Identify one person you need to become more intentional about pursuing. Send them a message, make a call, or make plans to spend time together.
• Protect: Identify one area of your life where you are vulnerable to isolation, temptation, or unhealthy choices. Share it with someone you trust and invite them to walk with you.
• Grow: Ask someone who knows you well, “What is one area where you think God wants to grow me?” Listen without defending yourself.
• Stretch: Find someone who is further along spiritually or in an area of life where you want to grow. Ask them to help you take your next step.
• Get Connected: If you are not currently in a healthy Christian community, take the next step and get connected to a group. You were never meant to do this alone.

‍

You cannot become the best version of yourself alone. God uses healthy relationships to connect us, protect us, grow us, and stretch us.

People are our Priority.