Notes to accompany "Discipleship, Week 9 "

RELATIONSHIPS

1.   Family

Hebrews 13: 4, Ephesians 6: 1-4
“The Christian home is the Master’s workshop where the processes of character-moulding are silently, lovingly, faithfully carried on.”  Richard Milner

The family is a gift from God, just as marriage is a gift from God.

Marriage is sacred.  Genesis 2: 22-24 It is a visual aid of Christ and His Church  Ephesians 5: 31-34
At the heart of marriage is relationship, deep relationship, body soul and spirit.  Living together before or outside of marriage dishonours God and harms that relationship at its core because it’s outside of God’s will.According to God’s Word a Christian must not engage in casual sex, sex outside of marriage or be living with someone.    
Galatians 5: 19f                     Colossians 3: 5-6                     1 Corinthians 5: 11

  * Repentance         * Take action

It is within marriage between a man and a woman that God ordains children to be born and raised. Within family, personalities and talents emerge. Within family faith can be formed.  So there must be encouragement and nurture, love and discipline, and parents must model values. Good enough parenting is good enough! True parenting is sacrificial.  It’s the ultimate expression of loving and letting go. Roots and wings. One of the great spiritual lessons can be ours through family relationships.
Everything we have is on loan from God.
How are you doing in what you’ve been loaned?


2.  Meeting Jesus in our friendships


     John 1: 43-451      Samuel 18: 1
     “No man is useless while he has a friend.” Robert Louis Stevenson
                                 
Friendship is about sharing.  If you love Jesus then you’ll want to share about Him with friends.  How are you doing?If you’re really enjoying coming here on a Sunday you’ll want to share that with friends.  How are you doing?Friendship is a spiritual trust from God. It’s about loyalty.  Jesus is our example. Luke 22: 42 A great example of true friendship is David and Jonathan.


Friendship is also a gift of joy. Friendship is about sharing and growing. True friends last, support, encourage, speak the truth.


3.  Fellowship with others


Mark 9: 2           Acts 3: 46-47
“One of the most important phases of maturing is that of growth from self-centring to an understanding relationship to others.”   H.A. Over


 Small groups are vital for spiritual growth.  This small group is a place to share and care, to learn and pray.


4.   Sharing Jesus with others


1 Peter 3: 15-16      Romans 10: 14-15
Most Christians don’t know what they have.  The world longs for the hope we have received.  Every human being longs for eternity.

Ecclesiastes  3: 11
We all need to tell our story to those around us. Evangelism is telling thegood news of God’s love and loyalty, forgiveness and grace.  It’s about your story of being touched by these things. Walk with Jesus daily.


Marks of Discipleship:

* Daily Prayer
*Daily Bible Reading
* Weekly Worship
* Serving
* Giving
* Relationships

 

"Here it is. This is the best I've got.
Please take it. It's yours."