Developing Great Relationships

by Bob La Forge

Developing Great Relationships will appeal to people who • To be a better friend• To be more attractive to the opposite gender in a godly manner• To be able to recognize good and bad characteristics in discerning the right person for them either as a friend or as a spouse• Guidance on how to know if he/she should marry the person that they are dating• To know what the Bible says and does not say about how to find a mateTable of DO RELATIONSHIPS AFFECT US SO MUCH?HOW TO HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPSAcquaintanceCasualCloseIntimateFIRST IMPRESSIONS—MISTAKESDo not plan out in your mind exactly how the date should goHiding the real youLyingBraggingExcessive disclosureNot complimentingAvoid rude behaviorTalking about your exPutting yourself downBlaming mishaps on the other personGossipingConfusing attention with loveGive the person another chanceKEYS TO GOOD FRIENDSHIPSBe willing to be the first to open upEvery situation will work out the way that you might have hopedLearn to listenBe availableDo not return anger or digs in like mannerDo not judge other peopleBe loyalDo not be a pestIf you expect mercy then give mercyDo not defend yourself at another’s expenseDo not force Christians to meet higher expectationsBe genuineBe positiveFOUNDATIONS FOR DEEP RELATIONSHIPSTrustConsistencyRespectUnderstandingCommunicationPatienceRepentanceForgivenessLoveRELATIONSHIP PROBLEMSUNHEALTHY THINKINGYou find yourself only with companions rather than in relationshipsYou fear of being hurtYou fear of being exposedYou want to stay in complete controlYou lack social/personnel skills so you do not even tryYou expect perfect relationships and then bail out when your expectations are not metYou expect everyone else to make the effortUNHEALTHY PEOPLEThe constantly rescuedThe perfectionistThe controllerThe flawlessThe possessorThe fixerThe abuserPhysical abuseEmotional/Verbal/Mental abuseSexual abuseGeneral questions to ask yourselfThe addictedThe mentally disorderedUNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPSBased on a single traitOpposed by your friendsBased not on who they are but on what they may becomeUnbalancedBased on desperationStill living in the pastWhere conflicts are not properly handled and resolvedFrequent lying, criticism, anger, or belittlingNot yet availableRESOLVING CONFLICTSWhy should we resolve conflicts?Conflicts strike at the very heart of who we think God isWhat does it mean to reconcile with someone?Principles of Resolving ConflictsConclusionHOW TO HEAL FROM A BROKEN RELATIONSHIPWanting to be healedGod’s healingWhat a broken relationship can do to usImproper ways to respond to a broken relationshipAnger and FrustrationApplying inappropriate blameBlaming the other person completelyBlaming yourself completelyApplying sin where no sin is involvedRevenge or trying to hurt the personUnwarranted Hop

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2010