SERIES INTRODUCTION
Our lives are full of relationships – best friends, spouses, exes, neighbors, co-workers – and those relationships can be complicated. Relationships are messy, and love can be hard. So how do we have good ones? And get over bad ones? During this series, we’ll give you the secret to strong and thriving relationships in every area of your life.
What is the funniest, craziest advice on relationships you have given?
MESSAGE TITLE
To Know and Be Known
SERMON GUIDE
This week’s message was the beginning of our Crazy, Stupid Love series. The focus for the series is that all relationships get better when we do them God’s way. The target mindset that we’re looking for is Jesus. The best thing that can happen to you is not just that you’re in church, but that Jesus is in you.
Have someone read Philippians 2:5-8. Why is it so important to our relationships to have the same mindset as Jesus?
Have someone read Psalm 139: This week we talked about the need to know someone before we trust them. Our relationship with God is also like that. For us to wholeheartedly trust Him, we need to know Him.
Tim Keller said, “To be loved but now know is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything.
Share a time in your life that relied on someone, putting your trust in them before you knew them. What was the outcome?
Have someone read I Samuel 16:7. Gene shared that if we want to grow in our relationships, we’ve got to know them. Time is the only way we can discover someone’s character, integrity, spiritual commitment, and heart. To get to know someone well enough to see these traits, we need to invest the time and say no to the distractions. Share what do you need to say no to right now to strengthen relationships in your life?
Have someone read Matthew 25:31-40. The second step to knowing someone is to act on what you know. If you want to be like Jesus, you need to act like him. Identify a step or area to work on in a relationship in your life. What action would make a difference?
Have someone read Ephesians 3:19. The last step to knowing someone is to know where your identity comes from. God desires you to know Him deeply and intimately. Our spiritual growth happens within us and influences our relationship. What actions can you take to grow in your relationship with God?
APPLICATION
What relationship is God calling you to develop and strengthen?
prayer
Break into groups of 2-3 and pray that He would aid you to love the people in your life and honor them in your words and actions this week.