Developing Foundations for Healthy RelationshipsSample

Introduction

In many ways, our relationships are the bedrock of our lives. They shape us into who we are and who we are becoming. They also determine a great deal about our satisfaction in life, our ability to be resilient, and our internal peace and happiness. At the end of the day, and at the end of our lives, it is our relationships that will define us, not what we have achieved, but who we were to those around us. On our deathbeds, we will not long to be surrounded by our trophies, merit awards, degrees, and time sheets but by the people who matter to us - and to whom we matter.

In order to cultivate healthy, sustainable, and life-giving relationships with the people around us we must become the people we wish to be friends and partners with.

The goal is to cultivate healthy relationships in all areas of our lives: family, friendships, romantic relationships, professional relationships, and our relationship with God.

In order to have healthy relationships, we need to be emotionally healthy people; taking ownership for our actions, regulating our emotions, and allowing ourselves to be changed by the person and Spirit of God. We will never become what we are not becoming, and so today is a great day to begin the journey of pursuing healthy relationships in all areas of our lives.

The Bible is full to the brim with examples of relationships - the great, the good, the bad, and the ugly - and through this study, we will look at four examples of Biblical relationships across ten studies.

Through each relational example, we will pick up one healthy foundation and then explore ways to implement that foundation in our own lives.

As you read through each day, start by thinking through the following questions:

Are the individuals in this story emotionally healthy people?

Is this the kind of relationship I aspire to have? Why or why not?

What is God revealing to me about my own relationships or who I am in my relationships?

For today as an introduction, think through or journal the answer to the following questions:

Do you think you are an emotionally healthy person? Why or why not?

In what area of your life (family, friends, coworkers, romance, etc) is/are your best relationship(s)? Why do you think that is?

For you, what defines a healthy relationship?

What are three of your relational strengths and weaknesses?

From a scale of 1 (being the worst) to 10 (being the best), rate yourself in the context of relationships:

• Self-awareness
• Communication
• Listening
• Setting boundaries
• Empathizing
• Handling conflict
• Commitment
• Forgiveness
• Gratitude

What is one thing that you are hoping to improve on or take away from this study?