Believers Church Of Sylvania

(Matthew 28:18-20 NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

(John 13:35 NIV) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

(Acts 2:41 NIV) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

(Acts 2:42-43 NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ... All the believers were together and had everything in common.

(Acts 2:45-47 NIV) They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (Met needs & kept up with each other) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

(Ecclesiastes 4:8 NLT) This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing.

(Proverbs 27:19 GN) A mirror reflects a man's face but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

• People that have great relationships... nurture the important ones.

(Revelation 2:4-5 NIV) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. ...

• People that have great relationships... restore the broken relationships.

(Romans 12:17-18 NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

(Colossians 3:13 NIV) each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

• People that have great relationships...redefine the harmful relationships.

(Proverbs 13:20 NLT) Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

(1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV) Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

(2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NIV) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

• People that have great relationships...initiate meaningful relationships.

(2 Timothy 2:2 NLT) You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

1. Caring.

(John 13:15 NLT) I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

(Galatians 6:2 NIV) Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

2. Encouraging.

(John 14:1 NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

(Hebrews 3:13 NIV) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

3. Partnering.

(John 15:5 NIV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

(Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

4. Protecting.

(John 16:1 NIV) "All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.

(Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

5. Praying.

(John 17:1, 9 NIV) After Jesus said this, ... I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.