Spiritual Friendships

Scott Risley

1 Samuel 18-20

Spiritual friendships are impossible if there is unbridled anger or envy present. Replace the fear underlying the anger and envy with service. If you are under attack from an angry person, first, get out of an unsafe situation. Then, try to do good and be humble, and let the situation fuel your prayer life. Spiritual friendships take initiative, encouragement plus affection, and sacrifice plus vulnerability.

Spiritual Friendships

James Rochford

1 Samuel 18-20

King Saul's relationships were ruined by his jealousy, anger, fear, insecurity, and suspicion. The relationship David and Jonathon had was very different. They both put God first, and the other before themselves, both were honest and expressed love for each other, and both believed in what the other could become.

Friendship and Dating God's Way

Ryan Lowery

Ruth 1:1-3:14

Throughout the book of Ruth, we see the ways God is able to both provide for us and work through us when we follow His ways.

So This Is Christian Community?

Patrice McCormac

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Christian community is a lifestyle lived in response to what Christ has done. It is something we all can do, not a list to check off. It is a willingness to move towards one another to meet the needs of each other.

Holy Sex

Lee Campbell

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

God's design for sex is for developing oneness with your spouse. Our culture instead, views sex as solely for satisfying personal pleasure. This attitude is destructive to others, to your relationship with God and to yourself. Use sex as God intended. It is a picture of God's nature and character.

A Passion for People

Patrice McCormac

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Paul demonstrates three principles that characterized his relationship with the Thessalonians. He was committed to spending face-to-face time with them. He was committed to their spiritual well being. And finally, he took great joy in their spiritual progress.

How Paul Engaged with People

Mike Woods

1 Thessalonians 2:1-13

Paul paints a picture of how he interacted with the Thessalonians as an example of what Christian relationships should look like. His message was the Gospel. His motivation was to please God and serve others. His means was to be both nurturing and challenging.

Doesn't Christianity Crush Diversity?

Rebecca McLaughlin

1 Thessalonians 2:1-13

Our culture characterizes Christianity as a faith that promotes racism, homophobia, and other unrighteous positions. But instead, a study of history shows Christianity, informed by the Bible, as being a driving force for justice, protection of the oppressed, equality, and kindness. The best way to prove that Christianity is a faith of love, is to ensure our words and actions toward others are consistently loving.

Becoming Peacemakers

Ken Sande

1 Thessalonians 2:1-13