Big Idea: Healthy relationships reflect God’s love through grace, wisdom, and respect. Grace Filled Relationships: 1. Before Judging Someone, Examine Your Own Heart “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT2) 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5 (NLT2) A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. Matthew 7:17 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 14:1 (NIV) “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. Matthew 18:15 (NLT2) 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. Matthew 18:16 (NLT2) 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. Matthew 18:17 (NLT2) 2. Discern Who Is Ready To Receive Truth “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. Matthew 7:6 (NLT2) 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT2) So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Proverbs 9:8 (NLT2) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2 (NLT2) 3. Treat People With Love, Grace, And Respect 9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. 12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:9-12 (NLT2) “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NLT2) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT2) Am I judging others more than I examine myself? To have grace filled relationships I will: Examine my own heart first before judging others Signing up for Vertical Marriage May 3, 10 to 3:30 [$35 per person] Invite someone to Easter Celebration. Sat. 11-1 Egg Hunt & Sunday 9:15 & 11am [This is only a guide – select the points you want to discuss.] Key Passage: Matthew 7:1-12 Big Idea: Healthy relationships reflect God’s love through grace, wisdom, and respect. Icebreaker: What’s the best piece of relationship advice you’ve ever received? How has it helped you? Opening Prayer: “Lord, thank You for giving us wisdom on how to build healthy relationships. Teach us to reflect Your love by showing grace, seeking wisdom, and treating others with respect. Help us to grow in love, humility, and kindness as we follow Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” 1. Before Judging Someone, Examine Your Own Heart Read: Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus warns against judging others harshly—why do you think people tend to focus on others’ faults more than their own? What does it look like to lovingly correct someone without being judgmental? How can we make sure our own hearts are right before addressing issues in others? Read: Matthew 18:15-17 How does Jesus teach us to correct one another? What is the attitude and desire behind the confrontation? 2. Discern Who Is Ready To Receive Truth Read: Matthew 7:6-8 Jesus teaches us to be wise in how we engage with people. How do we know when to speak truth and when to stay silent? Have you ever tried to help someone who wasn’t ready to receive wisdom? How did that go? Why is praying for wisdom (asking, seeking, knocking) so important in our relationships? Read: Proverbs 9:8 What usually happens when you try to correct someone who isn’t ready or willing to listen? Read: Galatians 6:1-2 How does Paul instruct us to correct one another? 3. Treat People With Love, Grace, And Respect Read: Matthew 7:9-12 The Golden Rule teaches us to treat people as we want to be treated. How does this practically apply in everyday life? Why is generosity in relationships (kindness, patience, encouragement) so powerful? Share a time when someone’s generosity or kindness impacted you. Read: Ephesians 4:32 Healthy relationships flourish when we give more than we take. Which attribute do you need to work on this week? Read: Galatians 6:9 What harvest are you praying for? Jesus calls us to reflect His love by showing grace, using wisdom, and living generously in relationships. Which of these areas—grace, wisdom, or generosity—do you need to grow in the most? What’s one change you will make this week to improve your relationships? Show grace instead of judgment Seek wisdom before speaking Express generosity through kindness and encouragement