1. Building Bridges: When you and your kin, can’t
Handout #4
A. From Conflict to ________________________.
Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
And don’t think you know it all! ”
We are different in three areas:
1. How we _________________ to each other.
2. How we ________________ life.
3. How we make decisions.
The key is to understand that your spouse is your complement not your carbon copy. He/she is not supposed
to be like you!
B. From Selfish to __________________________.
Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of
others. - Andrew J. Holmes
At the root of every sinful act, every hurtful word, every inappropriate thought lies one common denominator:
Selfishness.
God calls us to selflessness, the act of sacrificing one’s own interest for the greater good.
1. Before marriage: “Scientists find that cohabitation cuts down on commitment. The message of living
together is "I'd really like to take just a part of you right now, maybe sometime later I'd take every part of
you". The relationship DEFINES itself by a holding back of total commitment. (The Ring Makes All The
Difference.)Is having sex outside of marriage making your life more or less complicated?
2. During marriage: Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for
God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Steering Clear, p. 31-34: Reasons for infidelity
a. Basic Selfishness b. Living in fantasy. c. Boredom and lack of purpose. d. High risk
takers. e. What I have is not enough. f. Soft on yourself and hard on others.
g. Pride and low self-esteem: a paradox.
C. From Crisis to _________________________.
If you went to Jesus’ house… these are the pictures he would have up in his wall.
*Tamar-had issues with in-laws, no luck in marriage. *Rahab- was a prostitute.
*Ruth- immigrant, widow. *Manasseh- blood-thirsty king. *Jacob- deceived his own father.
*His family called him crazy. Did not believe in Him.
Which teaches us two things:
1. Jesus’ family had issues you can relate to.
2. Jesus’ family had issues they needed to be redeemed from.
Acts 16:29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30
Then he
brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will
be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32
And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who
lived in his household. 33
Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and
everyone in his household were immediately baptized.34
He brought them into his house and set a meal before them,
and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.