Relationships Archives - Reston Bible Church: Recent Episodes
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS1. What stood out to you in this message? 2. What has been your historic perspective on the issue of men and women in the church? 3. How has your perspective been modified given this message? 4. How have you seen this matter handled well or poorly in your church experience? Be sure to not name names regarding any recent challenges. 5. How have you seen our culture influence the matter of men and women, and how has that impacted the church? 6. How have you experienced women being used mightily by the Lord in ministry? 7. Spend some time praying for the leaders of our church.
The post Paul’s Loving Charge to the Church, Part 5: Women in Ministry appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS1. What were your impressions of this message this week? 2. Discuss your struggle to provide grace rather than a critical spirit when others fail to meet your expectations. 3. What are situations that tend to get you frustrated and willing to say something about others that might be inappropriate? 4. Who is someone in your life that is good at giving grace? What can you learn from them? 5. What are some scriptures related to being encouraging to others? Discuss. 6. Discuss the challenges you have faced with regard to being humble. It is such a hard thing to develop.
The post Living Faith, Part 11: “Don’t Judge Me!” appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
In wisely cultivating relationships, choose to be around people who are wise, are committed to truth-telling, have a good reputation, are prudent, are humble, and use words well.
The post Wisdom for Living, Part 9: Wisely Cultivating Relationships appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
One’s ability to judge objectively (having "good sense") provides endurance in the midst of a grievance (being patient and "slow to anger").
The post Wisdom for Living, Part 4: Overlooking an Offense appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
The first century church was oriented toward the "we," but the twenty-first century church is oriented toward the "me." We all have a need to be connected to each other, and every single one of us is a critical player in the body of Christ.
The post All Things New: Living As a Child of God, Part 4 (Gather) appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
Humans were designed to have relationships, first with God and then with each other. That is the underpinning of why we gather in the body of Christ. God exists in relationship and we were created for relationship.
The post All Things New: Living As a Child of God, Part 3 (Gather) appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
The letter to the Colossians ends with greetings and encouragement to others who are doing the work of ministry with Paul. Without these spiritual "soldiers" proclaiming the gospel and suffering for the kingdom of God, we would not be here as Christians today.
The post Colossians, Part 10: Raising the Spiritual Bar appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
The closest you will ever come to being like Jesus in this life is when you respond to those who are hostile toward you the way He did with those who were so hostile toward Him.
The post Love Your Enemies appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
We will never be fully human until we learn to fully love. According to Jesus, that includes loving both our neighbors and our enemies.
The post Faith, Hope, and Love – Part 4 appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
Everybody is suffering with some kind of shame, so we've got to find people we are safe with—people who love you no matter what and take you to the gospel. Those who are in Christ can know that there is now no condemnation.
The post Mind Your Heart, Part 2: Shame and the Gospel appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
When Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, they took his coat and used it to bring great pain to their father. But when a missing cup threatens the life of their youngest brother Benjamin, Judah is willing to offer his own life instead.
The post In the Beginning, Part 53: The Coat and the Cup appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
God calls His church to draw near to Himself, hold fast to our confession, and stir one another to good works. The only way we can obey that call is by coming together as the body of Christ.
The post Of One Heart and Soul appeared first on Reston Bible Church.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS 1. What is one thing about this message that was particularly helpful, challenging, or encouraging for you? 2. Read and discuss Genesis 33. What does this passage, along with the preceding chapters in Genesis, tell you about the personalities and character of Jacob and Esau? 3. Read the “Anatomy of a Conflict” below. Do you find this accurate to your own experience or observation? In what ways does it play out in the conflict between Jacob and Esau? How does sin fuel each of these steps in a conflict? 4. What other Scripture passages come to mind that demonstrate the destructiveness of a conflict, or guide us in how to resolve a conflict? 5. Is there anyone in your life with whom you have a conflict that has not yet been resolved? What steps have you taken to try to resolve that conflict? What steps could you take? Spend some time praying that God would bring reconciliation in these conflicts. Thank Him that He has provided a way that we could be reconciled with Him.
THE ANATOMY OF A CONFLICT 1. An offense occurs. 2. A biased view of the offense is shared with others. 3. Friends take up an offense. 4. Sides begin to form. 5. Suspicion on both sides develops. 6. Each side looks for evidence to confirm their suspicion. 7. Exaggerated statements are made. 8. In the heat of conflict, those involved hear things that were never said and say things they wish they had never said. 9. Third parties, no matter how well-intentioned, can never accurately transfer information from one offended party to the other. 10. Past offenses, unrelated to the original offense, begin to surface. 11. Integrity is challenged. 12. People call each other liars. 13. Those who try to solve the problem are blamed for not following proper procedure and become the new focus. 14. Many are hurt.
HOW TO RESOLVE A CONFLICT 1. Start early. Deal with a conflict right away. Don’t sweep things under the rug. 2. Check your pride at the door. 3. Realize that you are responsible for your part of the conflict. 4. Ask forgiveness. 5. Leave the results to the Lord.
The post In the Beginning, Part 42: The Anatomy of Unresolved Conflict appeared first on Reston Bible Church.