BB – 9 Living Together As One

Lesson #9

Learning to Relate

· Getting along with one another

· Church has everything to do with getting along together; church is about relationships.

1 John 3:11 (NKJV) 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 1 John 3:23 (NKJV) 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 1 John 4:7 (NKJV) 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:9 (NKJV) 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! James 5:16 (NKJV) 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV) 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

· It sounds easy, until you start doing it!!!! Do you think you are easy to get along with? You will soon find out.

· Your brothers and sisters will bring to the surface things that are deep down inside that you may not have known were even there.

· Your spiritual growth pattern: Iron Sharpens Iron

· How you handle these feelings will determine how much and how fast you will grow.

· Some of your fellow Christians you would have never have chosen as friends.

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

· The cement that holds the church together is love, but it’s not natural love –

· But the love that is God’s very nature.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

God’s Love

· God’s love is not emotionless.

· The love of God is not just a warm fuzzy feeling, but action.

· If the young man or woman you are married to (or want to marry) is emotionless, you try to stir them up.

· You must often take the lead with your brothers and sisters to do the same.

· You must always respond to every situation in a way that Jesus would respond.

· You have heard the phrase “What Would Jesus Do”?

1 John 3:18 My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

· You must not only be aware of your actions toward others; but your reactions as well.

· How patient is God toward you and your faults?

· How do you respond to the faults of others?


· You tend to consider your faults as trivial and the other person’s as big.

Matthew 7:3-5 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

· Love always acts as forgiveness.

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

· How do you act when there are breakdowns in relationships between your brother and sister?

· When it is your fault?

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

· When it is someone else’s fault?

Matthew 18:15-17 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 17And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

· Jesus teaches that no matter who is at fault, usually it is 50/50 % fault; you are responsible to set the wheels in motion to correct the problem.
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you