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How to Have Better Relationships

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23 ESV

Have a heart to reach people with the love of Jesus

Accept that people are different from you

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. ROMANS 12:6 NLT

I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges. PHILIPPIANS 4:2 MSG

Pay attention to how people receive you

The Challenger, 8: Intimidating and combative

The Peacemaker, 9: Stubborn and lazy

The Reformer, 1: Critical and legalistic

The Helper, 2: Prideful and pushy

The Achiever, 3: Exaggerating and attention-seeking

The Individualist, 4: Emotional and negative

The Observer, 5: Arrogant and detached

The Loyalist, 6: Untrusting and anxious

The Enthusiast, 7: Overwhelming and flighty

Ask for honest feedback from people you trust and respect

Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. PROVERBS 27:6 NLT

The Challenger, 8: Need loving but blunt friends

The Peacemaker, 9: Need motivational friends

The Reformer, 1: Need morally sound, wise friends

The Helper, 2: Need strong friends who can call out pride

The Achiever, 3: Need secure friends who can speak truth

The Individualist, 4: Need positive friends who can see beauty

The Observer, 5: Need competent friends who call them out

The Loyalist, 6: Need safe and secure truth tellers

The Enthusiast, 7: Need loyal friends who help navigate pain

Develop a relational strategy based upon my strengths and weaknesses

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. EPHESIANS 6:11 NLT

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. ROMANS 12:3 NLT

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My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Check out the home tab of the Sandals Church app for a weekly personal reflection guide and more helpful resources!​

Discussion Questions

  1. Sometimes people rub us the wrong way. What kinds of people are the most challenging for you? Why is it hard to connect with them?
  2. In a typical week, what kinds of people do you have interactions with? What have you learned about the best (or worst) ways to interact with them?
  3. How would the people you interact with most often describe you? How does that description change if it’s someone you’ve just met compared with someone who knows you well?
  4. What do you need your true friends to tell you?
  5. Considering your relational weaknesses, what’s something you can change to relate to others better? Considering your relational strengths, what’s something you can do in order to relate to others better?
  6. What is Satan’s relational strategy he uses against you? What type of armor do you need to counter his strategies?