Day 2: Our Vision for Spiritual Growth: Real Relationships
At South Ridge Church, we believe you can experience Spiritual Growth in Real Life in the following ways:
- Loving God and others.
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37)
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
- Practicing Grace and Truth with others.
In John 4:1-26, Jesus meets with a Samaritan Woman and offers her tremendous grace and truth. We must do the same in the lives of others.
- Experiencing healthy conflict and practicing forgiveness.
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
“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. 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. 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.
I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:15-20)
- Encouraging one another to abide in Christ.
“But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.” (Hebrews 3:13 HCSB)
“Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” (John 15:5b)
At South Ridge Church, we provide you the opportunity to grow in these ways through experiencing Real Relationships with others in Community Groups, Life Groups, and Mentoring, where we equip you to practice accountability, belonging, and care with others.
READING:
Of the four ways we believe you can experience Spiritual Growth in Real Relationships, which of these do you find most difficult to apply regularly?
In what ways is God’s wisdom a mystery? (1 Corinthians 2:7)
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method
PRAYER: On your own, take the opportunity to pray for your spouse, or another loved one. The following outline may be helpful.
Four Prayers for Your Spouse or Another Loved One:
- Thank God for the miracle of your spouse and marriage or the loved one in your life.
- Thank God for any way in which your spouse or loved one has changed your life.
- Commit your spouse’s or loved one’s future to the Lord.
- Ask God for help in figuring out what your part in that future may be.
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