Connecting, Caring, Challenging
- 1. Connecting, Caring, Challenging Relationships That Make a Difference
- 2. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
- 3. Connecting - Our Value of Love "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." What places can you naturally connect with others? What interests can be natural connecting points? Who naturally starts relationships, you or your spouse?
- 4. Caring - Our Value of Hope "We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children." How can you determine the needs of those you connect with? What resources do you have that can help others?
- 5. Challenging - Our Value of Faith "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." How do you move a conversation toward faith? What do your friends need in order to move toward Jesus?