This document discusses new ways of relating that are guided by God, including: 1) Grace-giving acceptance, where we accept others unconditionally as Jesus accepts us. 2) Authentic vulnerability, where we agree to openly share our struggles so we can support each other. 3) Healing confession, where we confess struggles to God and each other, which can heal marriages and lives. 4) Speaking the last 10%, referring to saying encouraging or difficult truths in love.

1. Chapter 7: Relate –A New Way to Live Together

2. We’re going to go on a Picnic, everyone get in a circle…

3. All About RelatingGod is in the process of reclaiming, redeeming, and restoring what our broken little kingdoms have destroyed, and He’s doing it by guiding us into new, Christ-like ways of relating

4. When asked for the greatest commandment, Jesus gave two: (Matthew 22:34-40)

5. Also, “Dear friends let us love one another…” (1 John 4:7-12)If we are following God’s lead, listening and responding in new ways, we will learn how to truly love people, then we will fulfill the commandments of Scripture. Simple, right?

6. Read the letter from Steve, Page 105.

7. God wants to lead you into a freedom to fully be you –who he created you to be…Pay attention to how you treat those closest to you.Love –Not the Easy ThingPoll by Barna: What do you want out of life?HealthA Marriage that LastsIntegrity / Close, Personal Friends.So, with this information, this next study shouldn’t be possibleGeorge Gallup: [Americans are the] “loneliest people on the planet.”He says “ours is a crowded loneliness”We have lots of “friends” but don’t know how to connect in life-giving ways.

8. We long to connect, but we are terrified of being hurt. We want deep relationships, but deep distrust keeps us relationally bankrupt.When we reach out to others, things get in the way: jealousy, insecurities, fear of being rejected, indifference, busyness, annoying behaviors, etc…these all keep us from relating in powerful ways.

9. Let’s look at 4 new ways of relating that God’s Spirit will lead us in to:1. Grace-Giving Acceptance:Come-As-You-Are GraceRead page 107 (Rembrandt)

10. Romans 15:5-7