Relationships can be complicated. But we can't live our lives alone; we must get along with others. Fortunately, God has shown us how it should be done. This five-session course emphasizes that we need to love by both our words and actions. That requires giving our lives to God and learning to say no to things that don't fit into our priorities. It involves learning to communicate lovingly and showing gratitude to God and others.
Session One
Learn to Love
We need to follow up our words of love with action.
1 John 4:7–16
Just as a child might quickly say "I'm sorry" after hitting another child to avoid punishment, our words can also be hollow. We must learn that love includes both words and actions.
Session Two
Learn to Give Your Life Away
To get closer to others, we need to say yes to giving others our time, authenticity, help, and the permission to be helped.
Acts 2:42–47; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
Bible knowledge, in itself, can sometimes cause more harm than good, such as pride and a judgmental attitude. Real growth comes from putting into practice what we understand.
Session Three
Learn to Say No
Sometimes saying no is the most Christ-like thing you can do.
Acts 4:1–33; Galatians 2:11–14; 2 Timothy 2:22–25; 3:1–6
Many people think that saying no is self-centered or even un-Christian. God wants us to say no to things that are destructive and damaging to people and relationships, including us.
Session Four
Learn to Say Please
Saying please is about asking the right way.
Matthew 5:5; 6:5–8; 7:7–12
Many of us have not learned how to ask others for what we need from them. Or we resort to control tactics such as arguing, criticizing, shaming, or shutting-down instead of asking for what we need to resolve the conflict.
Session Five
Learn to Say Thank You
Those two words can salvage attitudes.
Luke 17:11–19; Acts 2:38; Romans 5:6–8; 10:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:11–18
It is important for us to regularly express our love and appreciation to those we love. Gratitude is at the heart of the commitment to follow Christ.
Total number of pages - 35 pages
