Building Deeper Relationships: A Christian Perspective
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of deeper relationships, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus and the practices of Christian living. We are in the season between Epiphany and Lent, a time when our everyday lives unfold, and we reflect on how Jesus lived his life. Our focus was on the triangle model, which represents the three primary relationships Jesus maintained: up with God, in with close friends, and out with the crowds. These relationships are essential for us as well, as they guide us in living a balanced Christian life.
Jesus exemplified these relationships through his actions. He spent time in prayer, nurturing his relationship with God the Father. He also invested in his close friends, the disciples, teaching and forming them. Furthermore, he reached out to the crowds, healing and teaching them, never losing sight of his mission to bring good news to the poor. We are called to model our lives after these relationships, spending time with God in prayer and worship, nurturing our relationships with close friends and family, and serving others, even those outside our comfort zones.
The prophet Micah provides a framework for this walk with God: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Walking with God is about being present with Him in our everyday lives, delighting in His presence, and being real about our struggles. Our relationships with others are crucial for our well-being, and we must prioritize and nurture them. In a world where technology often isolates us, we must be intentional about spending time with people we love and trust.
As we reflect on these relationships, we are reminded of the importance of balance. We may excel in one area but struggle in another. The challenge is to strengthen the weaker areas, whether it be our relationship with God, our close relationships, or our service to others. By walking with Jesus and following His example, we can find balance and live a life that mirrors His love and compassion.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Triangle of Relationships: Jesus modeled three primary relationships: up with God, in with close friends, and out with the crowds. These relationships are essential for a balanced Christian life, guiding us in our walk with God and others. [22:51]
2. Walking with God: Our relationship with God is about being present with Him in our everyday lives, delighting in His presence, and being real about our struggles. Walking with God involves more than just talking; it is about abiding in His love and nurturing our connection with Him. [28:14]
3. The Importance of Close Relationships: Relationships with close friends and family are crucial for our well-being. In a world where technology often isolates us, we must be intentional about spending time with people we love and trust, prioritizing these relationships in our lives. [30:29]
4. Serving Others: Our out relationship involves serving others, even those outside our comfort zones. It is about proclaiming the good news, challenging injustice, and caring for those in need. This dimension of our lives is essential in living out our Christian faith. [35:10]
5. Finding Balance: We are called to find balance in our relationships, strengthening the areas where we are weaker. By walking with Jesus and following His example, we can live a life that mirrors His love and compassion, acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. [39:53]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Introduction to the Season
[05:19] - Deeper Relationships
[07:56] - Children's Story
[12:45] - Jesus and the Crowd
[14:33] - Feeding the 5,000
[17:28] - The Miracle of Abundance
[22:51] - The Triangle of Relationships
[24:08] - Jesus' Close Friends
[25:56] - Abiding in God
[28:14] - Walking with God
[30:29] - The Importance of Relationships
[31:17] - Challenges of Isolation
[32:23] - Practicing Forgiveness
[35:10] - Serving Others
[39:53] - Finding Balance
[43:26] - Prayers and Concerns
[46:29] - Offering and Announcements
[57:10] - Communion and Sending Forth
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 6:12-19 - This passage illustrates the three primary relationships Jesus maintained: with God, with his disciples, and with the crowds.
2. Micah 6:8 - This verse provides a framework for walking with God: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
#### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 6:12-19, how does Jesus demonstrate his relationship with God, his disciples, and the crowds? What actions does he take to nurture each of these relationships?
2. According to the sermon, what are the three primary relationships that Jesus modeled, and why are they important for a balanced Christian life? [22:51]
3. How does the prophet Micah describe the walk with God, and what are the three actions he emphasizes? [28:14]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of close relationships in our lives? [30:29]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What might it mean to "walk humbly with God" in the context of our daily lives, as described in Micah 6:8? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about being present with God? [28:14]
2. How can the triangle model of relationships (up, in, out) help individuals assess and improve their own spiritual and relational balance? [22:51]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that technology impacts our ability to maintain close relationships, and how can we counteract these effects? [30:29]
4. How does the concept of serving others, even those outside our comfort zones, reflect the out relationship Jesus had with the crowds? [35:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen this relationship, perhaps through prayer or worship? [28:14]
2. Identify one close friend or family member with whom you want to strengthen your relationship. What intentional actions can you take to nurture this connection? [30:29]
3. Consider a group or community outside your comfort zone. What is one way you can serve or reach out to them this month, following Jesus' example of serving the crowds? [35:10]
4. Think about the balance of your relationships (up, in, out). Which area do you feel is weakest, and what practical steps can you take to strengthen it? [39:53]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God into your daily routine? What might this look like in your interactions with others? [28:14]
6. Reflect on a time when technology has hindered your relationships. What changes can you make to prioritize face-to-face interactions over digital ones? [30:29]
7. What is one random act of kindness you can commit to doing this week to strengthen your out relationship with the community? [38:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Triangle of Relationships
Jesus' life exemplified a balanced approach to relationships, which can be visualized as a triangle. This model includes an upward relationship with God, an inward relationship with close friends, and an outward relationship with the broader community. Jesus spent time in prayer, nurturing His connection with God the Father, which empowered Him to fulfill His mission. He also invested deeply in His disciples, teaching and forming them into a close-knit community. Additionally, Jesus reached out to the crowds, healing and teaching them, always focused on His mission to bring good news to the poor. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this balance in our own lives, ensuring that we are nurturing our relationship with God, investing in our close relationships, and serving others. [22:51]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: In which of the three areas—upward, inward, or outward—do you feel most out of balance? What is one practical step you can take this week to address this imbalance?
Day 2: Walking with God
Walking with God is about being present with Him in our everyday lives, delighting in His presence, and being real about our struggles. It involves more than just talking to God; it is about abiding in His love and nurturing our connection with Him. This relationship is foundational to our spiritual journey, as it provides the strength and guidance needed to navigate life's challenges. By prioritizing time with God through prayer, worship, and reflection, we can deepen our understanding of His will and experience His peace and joy. [28:14]
"And Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:24, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a daily routine that allows you to be more present with God? What specific time or activity can you dedicate to nurturing your relationship with Him today?
Day 3: The Importance of Close Relationships
Close relationships with friends and family are crucial for our well-being. In a world where technology often isolates us, it is essential to be intentional about spending time with those we love and trust. These relationships provide support, encouragement, and accountability, helping us grow in our faith and navigate life's challenges. By prioritizing and nurturing these connections, we can create a strong community that reflects the love and grace of Christ. [30:29]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to spend more intentional time with? How can you reach out to them this week to strengthen your relationship?
Day 4: Serving Others
Our outward relationship involves serving others, even those outside our comfort zones. It is about proclaiming the good news, challenging injustice, and caring for those in need. This dimension of our lives is essential in living out our Christian faith, as it reflects the love and compassion of Jesus. By stepping out of our comfort zones and serving others, we can make a meaningful impact in our communities and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love. [35:10]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone outside your usual circle that you can serve this week? What specific action can you take to show them the love of Christ?
Day 5: Finding Balance
We are called to find balance in our relationships, strengthening the areas where we are weaker. By walking with Jesus and following His example, we can live a life that mirrors His love and compassion, acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. This balance is essential for a fulfilling and impactful Christian life, as it allows us to grow in our faith and effectively serve others. By regularly assessing our relationships and making adjustments as needed, we can ensure that we are living in alignment with God's will. [39:53]
"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name." (Psalm 86:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel out of balance? How can you seek God's guidance to bring harmony and alignment to this area?
Quotes
"I'd like to welcome you here to this fourth Sunday after Epiphany. We are in that season between Epiphany, the end of Christmas, and the beginning of Lent. And this is when our everyday lives happen. And we hear about everyday life stuff happening with Jesus." [00:06:40] (21 seconds)
"And so we gather as Christian community to make this Sunday a day of prayer. We make disciples, growing in every day in that being and doing like Christ. We do come to grow ourselves, and we come to grow in our ability to call others to this amazing life of being and doing like Jesus." [00:07:31] (25 seconds)
"Today we are going to be talking about deeper relationships. We've been in a worship series about these practices of Christian living. And today we're going to look at the practices of Christian living. We're going to look at the triangle and have that be our vocabulary for deeper relationships." [00:07:56] (18 seconds)
"Jesus lived his life with three primary relationships up his relationship with God the Father in his relationship with close friends and out his relationship with the crowds with with the hurting world around him and in luke chapter six we get a great example of these three different relationships it starts with jesus went out on a mountain to pray and he prayed all night long jesus spent time up with his relationship with god the father he prayed regularly" [00:22:51] (41 seconds)
"And we model our lives. We are created for these same three relationships of time with God, up in prayer, in worship, in growing in love of God, in feeling God's love for us, in being nurtured by God. Jesus called this abiding. If you've ever heard when Jesus said, abide in me, this is that loving and receiving love and nurturing." [00:25:56] (31 seconds)
"Walking with God. Walking with God is delighting in God and noticing that God delights in us. And walking with God also means being real, not hiding our grief or our suffering or our addictions or our sin or our pain. We walk humbly with God. We walk always remembering. That God is God and we are not." [00:29:09] (34 seconds)
"Relationships are key to human health. Babies will actually die without relationship. Their physical needs can be met, but they will die if they do not have relationship. And you know what? Grownups suffer. Adults suffer when we do not have sufficient relationship. And we all know this as we're going through this epidemic of isolation." [00:30:04] (23 seconds)
"We need to be intentional about these in relationships. And Jesus not only modeled time with friends, he set the disciples up that way. Whenever he sent them out, he sent them in pairs. We are not to walk alone. We are to walk with others. God wants you to have close friends and spend time with them." [00:31:47] (24 seconds)
"That's where we see the work of the kingdom of God. Proclaiming the good news. Challenging injustice. Teaching people. Healing the sick. Jesus did all of that. Our out dimension includes acting justly. It includes things like telling the good news to a stranger. Sharing with them that God loves them so much that God can't stop thinking about them." [00:35:10] (29 seconds)
"Christian living is being in balance with these three primary relationships, up with God, our creator, our vision keeper. The in relationships, with people we can be honest with and open with. And then our out relationships, serving those in need, our relationship with the larger world." [00:39:17] (24 seconds)
"May God bless you with tears to shed for others and for yourself, for all who suffer and grieve so that you may be filled up by God and others. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you will be accepted into unity with God and all humanity so that your life mirrors the life of Christ." [01:03:17] (27 seconds)
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