Our overall goal in FirstStep is to discover what a balanced, integrated, and healthy life of a disciple of Jesus looks like, specifically within the context of Manna Church.
In the last session, we talked about Bible reading, prayer, and worship. In this session, we will explore important aspects of living a life in which we learn to genuinely love each other.
This is a core value for us. It is to be a core value for all Christians.
Matthew 22:39 (ESV)
...You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
John 13:35 (ESV)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
We believe Small Groups are the environments in which we learn to live out the next three Healthy Habits. Small Groups are where we grow as Christians.
Find a Small Group that interests you and fits your season of life.
Use what God has put in your life and lead one yourself… Attend and complete LeaderStep! (Note: completing NextStep and becoming a member of Manna Church are prerequisites for participating in LeaderStep.)
Acts 2:42–47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
It takes effort and ongoing fellowship to develop genuine accountability. Though sometimes challenging, developing accountability relationships has incredible benefits.
We need trusted friends who know us, love us, and help us deal well with our secrets, our weaknesses, and our life challenges.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
James 5:16 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (ESV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
All of us, at one time or another, have been significantly wounded, offended, inconvenienced, betrayed, abandoned, rejected, mistreated, and disappointed. The consequences of others’ hurtful behavior and words often have far-reaching and ongoing impacts on our lives. Nevertheless, as Christians, we are commanded to forgive.
Forgiving people for what they have done is often very difficult. Forgiveness involves turning over to God the person who hurt us and what they did (or didn’t do). It involves handing over to God the “cases” we have built against other people. It involves trusting God with our pain.
Learning to forgive is necessary for us to grow in our relationship with Jesus and to develop healthy relationships with other people. A healthy habit of forgiving people is perhaps the most difficult of healthy habits to cultivate. But, the freedom it produces is well worth it.
Someone once said, “When we refuse to forgive someone, it’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
“A refusal to forgive means that God stands back and lets you cope with your problems in your own strength.” R.T. Kendall (Total Forgiveness)
Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Matthew 18:21–22 (NIV 84)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive someone who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Luke 6:28 (NIV)
...Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
It’s not always easy, but it is simple.
Ask God: “Who do I need to forgive?”
Ask God to give you strength to choose to forgive them for what they have done (or failed to do).
Then, choose to forgive and release them for what they have done. Just do it!
In what areas of my life do I need accountability?
What people in my life can hold me genuinely accountable?
Ask the Lord to show you who you need to forgive. Make a list of the people, what they did (or didn’t do) that hurt or offended you, and how their behavior impacted you.
Choose to forgive each person for what they did and how it impacted you.
Ask God to forgive you for harboring unforgiveness toward that person.
Ask God to bring strength, healing, and restoration to the areas in which you were hurt.
*icons on this site are from flaticon.com