This document discusses the importance of relationships in our lives, both with God and others. It notes that we are created by a relational God to enjoy relationships. However, problems can sometimes arise in relationships due to our tendency to view situations based on past experiences, which can lead us to miss important context and make assumptions. This document encourages readers to look deeper at relationships and consider how our past experiences shape our perceptions and expectations.

2. GENESIS of
Relationship
God is a God of covenant
relationship
1 John 4:8
Matt 6:33
THE IDEAL:
• 1 Cor. 13:1-7
• James 1:19

4. “We must go deeper…. Beneath the waterline, is a huge mass of painful
memories, arrogant demands, real or imagined threats, stubborn
resolves („vows‟), and firm ideas of what we want and what we hope to
avoid.
Drop through all of these… and you‟ll find self-need.”
“We‟re created by a relational God to enjoy relationships. First with
Him, then with others. We were designed to love, so we were given the
capacity to give & receive the love our Creator wants us to enjoy.
When we receive love from God then give love to others, our soul is
healthy. We are living according to design…”
L. Crabb (2003). Soul Talk, p. 124.

5. SOMETIMES PROBLEMS ARISE OR ARE

6. All I can
think about
is what he
did to me!
I just wish
she‟d notice
my efforts to
change…
Parent
Husband
Teacher
Child
Wife
Student

8. This „feels‟
just like last
time…

11. DID YOU SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ON THE
PREVIOUS SLIDE?
LOOK AGAIN…
IF IT STILL LOOKS ALRIGHT TO YOU – READ IT AGAIN ---- THIS TIME CAREFULLY

12. WE GIVE A PHRASE (OR SITUATION)
“MEANING” BASED ON OUR PAST
EXPERIENCES AND WE LEAVE OUT
ANYTHING THAT DOESN‟T „FIT INTO‟
THAT EXPERIENCE…

14. PERSONAL
EXAMPLE
1. WHAT WERE YOUR „EXPECTATIONS‟ (BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE)
GOING INTO THE FILM?
2. WHAT DO YOU BOTH REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR OWN “FEELINGS”
WHILE:
•
•
WATCHING THE FILM “HOPE SPRINGS”?
GETTING INTO THE CAR RIGHT AFTERWARDS?
3. WHAT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF YOUR „EXPERIENTIAL‟ PAST?
DID YOUR PARTNER‟S RESPONSE SURPRISE YOU?
4. WHO HELD THE POWER IN THIS EXCHANGE?

15. NEXT TIME:
AND POWER STRUGGLES