Stress Fractures Week 4: Unfriended

SERIES TITLE

Stress Fractures

series overview

An athlete can always tell if something is not quite right inside. There is no glaring injury, but they can still feel the hidden pain. If left unattended, this tiny problem will eventually break. The same thing is true in relationships. On the surface, things look fine, but underneath, we know something is off. The past year has created a lot of stress fractures in marriages, families, friendships, even churches. Join us for a relational MRI, and we’ll examine the little things that can help heal the relationships most important to us.

sermon TITLE

Unfriended

weekend in review

This year has been tough on relationships. People lost friendships over differing opinions, and all of this has created stress fractures that need to heal. The good news is, God can heal them. If we will humble ourselves and cooperate with him, he can bring about reconciliation, restoration, and relational healing. Romans 12 is a magnificent prescription for healing relational stress fractures.

WARM UP
Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are potential questions to get the conversation going.

  • In the last year, did you unfriend or unfollow someone who had been a friend on social media?

  • Have you taken a social media break? What’s been the outcome?
DISCUSSion
Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

    • In Romans 12:18 Paul instructs, “If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.” In your opinion, is this possible in this day and age? If so, how does one do so?
    • Read Romans 12:9-10. What qualities of Christlike love does Paul mention in these verses? Why are these necessary? 
    • Read Romans 12:11-16. Name some practical ways we can bless those who mistreat us. What actions have you seen lately that demonstrate humility?
    • Read Philippians 2:1-2 and Colossians 3:12-15. How would it transform our relationships if we would learn to harmonize as Paul instructed here? What kind of ripple effect might that have on our communities at large?
    • Read John 17:20-21. The night before Jesus died, he prayed for us, for oneness. Why do you think this kind of unity is so critical?  
    • Read Romans 12:16-21. What in this passage stands out as especially challenging to you? Why?
    • How difficult is it to love our enemies? What does it look like to “overcome evil with good”?
application
  • Which of the behaviors in Romans 12 represents a strength in your interaction with others? Which is an area of weakness? How can you improve the weak area(s)?

  • Think about the people you interact with throughout the week. Where are opportunities for you to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep?
WRAP UP & PRAYER

Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other

Pray to be present and open – God we are your church, have your way. Thank you for bringing us into this community of love and teaching us to live your way.

 

We want to help you heal the relational stress fractures in your life. Please click on the button below to check out these helpful resources: