bible study
title: a true relationship
key passage: 1 corinthians 13:4-7
for many people people, a key moment in their christian life comes when they realize that christianity isn't a religion but a relationship. instead of hoping that rituals and precisely worded prayers earn them a place of favor with God, they find they can approach him like a best friend. but what if you've had bad experiences with relationships in the past?
maybe you're the person who woke up one morning to find the other side of the bed empty. that the one who told you "till death do us part" had left without a backwards glance. if that's you, remember that God is faithful and "he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself" (2 timothy 2:13, nlt).
what does that mean "he cannot deny himself"? it means that God is an honorable God. he won't promise one thing and do another. in contrast to all the broken promises that fill our lives, the promises of God will always stand. and he has promised to always love you and always be there for you.
or maybe you still have the scars or bruises from a parent who said they loved you but whose actions weren't loving at all. you need to know that God means something very different when he says he loves you. look at how he describes love in 1 corinthians 13:4-7.
"love is patient"--God will never force you into a decision. "love is kind"--God wants what is best for you. "love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. love does not demand its own way. love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged." you are always welcome in God's family. your past doesn't matter, all the things you did or did not do. if you've been putting off a decision to follow God or at least to consider a relationship with him, it's not too late.
"it [love] is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out." whatever abuse you may have experienced in the past is not your fault. and anyone who persists in doing evil will be brought to justice.
"love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance" (1 corinthians 13:4-7, nlt). how can you lose if you have this kind of relationship with God? God will always believe in you and always be there for you. will you meet with him today?
consider it
even though our passage today can apply to God's relationship to us, it was written as a guideline for our own relationships with others. think about the following:
- are there people you find difficult to treat this way?
- which aspect of love described in these verses can you focus on improving?
apply it
a short bible study like this isn't enough to pull you through the damaged relationships in your life. you need active daily participation in loving healthy relationships.
start with your bible and begin spending time with God on a daily basis. let his word teach you about who he is and his love for you.
express it
if you've never known how God loves you before today, take a moment and thank him for that love. it doesn't have to be a fancy prayer with big words, just a word of thanks. ask God also for a desire to get to know him better. ask him to remove any barriers their may be in your heart to forming a healthy relationship with him.
