Discussion Guide | May 18, 2025

May 20th, 2025

Introduction

"Your Relationships Transform the World" - Sermon Summary

Pastor Jim Graff from Faith Family Church in Victoria, Texas delivers a message about the importance of gentleness and unity in Christian relationships. He emphasizes that successful relationships require humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love, as outlined in Ephesians 4:1-3. The sermon focuses particularly on gentleness as a key attribute that brings out greatness in others by being sensitive to weaknesses while strengthening willpower.

Intro Prayer

Lord, as we gather to discuss Your word and its application to our relationships, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us today. Help us to be humble and receptive to Your guidance as we learn about living in unity with one another. Guide our discussion and help us understand how to better love each other as You have loved us. Amen.

Ice Breaker

Who is someone in your life that you would describe as genuinely gentle, and how has their gentleness impacted you?

Main Study

Key Verses

Ephesians 4:1-3
Matthew 11:28-29
John 13:34
Colossians 2:2
Proverbs 18:24

Questions

What does it mean to be 'completely humble and gentle' in our relationships with others?
How does gentleness differ from weakness in Christian character?
Why do you think Jesus emphasized unity among believers as crucial for the world to believe in Him?
In what ways can we practice being 'sensitive to weaknesses while strengthening willpower' in our relationships?
How can we maintain unity in the church while still standing firm in truth?
What are some practical ways we can 'bear with one another in love' in difficult relationships?
How does living a 'connected life' differ from living a 'confident life'?
What steps can we take to build stronger, more unified relationships in our church community?

Life Application

This week, identify one relationship in your life that needs more gentleness. Make a conscious effort to practice humility and patience in that relationship, focusing on understanding their perspective rather than pushing your own agenda. Look for specific ways to encourage and strengthen that person rather than criticizing their weaknesses.

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Closing

Key Takeaways

Unity in relationships requires humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love
Gentleness brings out greatness in others by being sensitive to weaknesses while inspiring faith
We are called to live connected lives rather than merely confident lives
True Christian community involves both standing for truth and standing with the broken
Successful relationships require depending on others rather than trying to do everything alone

Ending Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us about the power of gentleness and unity in our relationships. Help us to move beyond mere confidence to true connection with others. Give us the strength to be gentle when it's difficult, humble when we want to be proud, and patient when we want to give up. Help us to build the kind of unified community that reflects Your love to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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