THE FOUR RELATIONAL SPHERES

Matthew 22:37-40 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

John 15:4-5 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

RELATIONSHIPS IN THE HOME

Ephesians 5:1-2, 21 1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. … 21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

•  Spouse
•  Father
•  Mother
•  Child
•  Finances
• Singleness

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD’S FAMILY, THE CHURCH

Ephesians 4:29-32 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

• Position/Part in the body
• Gifts/Abilities
• Loving the Family of God
• Conflict Resolution
• Purpose of the Church

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORLD

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

• Employees
•  Employer
•  Ethics
•  Hobbies
• Friends
• Neighborhood
• Community

CONCLUSION

John 13:34-35 34A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS IN LIFE GROUP OR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

Passages to consider: Matthew 7:24-27; Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:11-22, 5:21-6:4, 6:5-9.

1. What did the sermon show you personally?

2. Read Matthew 7:24-27. What is significant as you look at the passage this time?

3. What are the big rocks in your life? A) How do you know if that’s what you actually practice? B) What do you think your calendar, checkbook, and mental energy would show you?

4. What big rocks do you need to add? Or what rocks do you need to adjust (whether invest in or decrease)? A) What would that look like for you? Be as specific as possible.

5. What “gravel and sand” competes with the big rocks in your life? What will you do with that tension this season?

6. Choose one big rock: Abide, Church, Home, Work/World. Take time to pray and make a plan about how to align it to what the Holy Spirit is showing you. Share it with someone.