Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
LEGO bricks illustrate the important principle that we were made for connection. When we make the right choices we can share life together with others in great relationships. Here are some keys to make those relationships work.
Key #1: Humility
When we think less highly of ourselves and more highly of others, relationships flourish.
Romans 12:3-5 …Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Humility comes from an honest self-evaluation. Part of that evaluation is realizing that, like parts of a body, we are dependent on others. Other people are valuable to God, so they should be valuable to us. God can use imperfect people in my life. Not only do we value the gifts and strengths of others, we are also patient with their weaknesses and faults.
Key #2: Unselfishness
Unselfish people always seem to have plenty of friends, but selfish, self-centered people drive others away. One way to be unselfish is to serve others with practical needs.
Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
The law of Christ is his command to “love one another”. When we selflessly serve others, we embody Jesus’ love. This can include bearing any kind of burden, whether emotional, physical, or spiritual. When you serve, it opens doors of trust and connects you to other people’s lives.
Key #3: Forgiveness
One of the greatest sources of broken relationships is the unwillingness to forgive. Yet forgiveness is crucial.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Forgiving others is the choice to stop harboring bitterness and anger, and to treat the people who hurt us with kindness in return. This doesn’t seem like a natural response, but we embrace it because God has forgiven us through Jesus Christ. So when you’re offended – as you certainly will be – don’t bail on the relationship. Forgive and work it out. The flip side is to humble yourself and ask others for forgiveness when you realize you have wronged them.
Key #4: Truth
Great connections require both love and truth.
Ephesians 4:15-16 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The “love” part has to do with humility, unselfishness, forgiveness, and similar qualities. The “truth” part has two expressions. First, tell others the truth about YOUR life. Be authentic. Don’t live behind a mask. Second, tell others the truth about THEIR lives when needed. Of course, you should examine your own life first. And you will need to speak humbly and unselfishly – and receive it the same way. We all need to be challenged, confronted, or corrected at times. This leads to a dynamic relational life.
Key #5: Jesus as the foundation
As practical as these relational keys are, there is one more key that pulls them all together and gives them greater power. This happens when Jesus is the foundation and center of our relationships.
Ephesians 2:13-14 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.
In verse 13, when you cross the line of faith, you are united with Jesus. But then (verse 14), you also become united at that same time with others. When we are connected to him, we are connected to each other. So Jesus is the ultimate connector – not personality, culture, or compatibility. He not only reconciled people to God, but to each other as well.
You can have better relationships by applying any of these keys. But to maximize the relationships in your life, the most important thing you can do to is to make sure you are connected to Jesus first. Once that issue is settled, the next most important choice you can make is to get involved in healthy relationships at your church, if possible through a small group.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Who are your best friends (besides your spouse)? How did you become friends?
- What are some of the keys that have maintained your friendships over time?
- Read Romans 12:16. Why is humility a key to living in harmony with others?
- Read Galatians 6:2. Discuss practical ways that Christians can share burdens.
- Read Ephesians 4:31-32. Why should we forgive each other? What happens to relationships when people won’t forgive?
- Read Ephesians 4:15-16. How does speaking truth help build strong relationships? What are some reasons you might hesitate to tell people truth?
- If you are in a small group, discuss how the members of your group can become better connected with each other.
- If you are not in a small group, talk about steps you can take to get connected with other Christians.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
