Be Real

The relationships of believers is where God has chosen to most fully express His nature

to the world.

Relationally healthy people know how to share their lives with others, especially those

outside their circles.

In order for us to do life together, we have to learn to be appropriately open and honest with

one another about our life and our journey.

ADMIT YOUR NEED AND YOUR LIMITS

Be Real

Genesis 2:18, (NLT)

“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.””

Matthew 26:36–38, (NLT)

“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.””

The Jesus Style

One Spirit - 1

Vulnerable - 3

Open – 12

Gracious - All

What’s your style?

IDENTIFY YOUR BARRIERSBe Real

Genesis 2:25, (NLT)

“Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.”

Genesis 3:7, (NLT)

“At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”

Barriers to Being Real

Shame Hurt PrideLies Envy

Doubt

John 17:22, (NLT)

““I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.”

What are your barriers?

HONESTY BRINGS HEALING

Be Real

James 5:16, (NLT)

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

The final break-through to fellowship does not occur, because…they do not have fellowship as the

undevout, as sinners. The pious fellowship permits no one to be a

sinner. So everybody must conceal his...Many Christians are

unthinkably horrified when a real sinner is suddenly discovered

among the righteous. So we remain alone with our sin, living in lies and

hypocrisy. The fact is that we are sinners!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Galatians 6:2, (NLT)

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”

Where is your healing friendship?

TAKE IT A STEP AT A TIMEBe Real

2 Thessalonians (1:3, NLT)

“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.”

Being Real Takes Time

Intimacy & ConfessionValues & Feelings

Ideas & Opinions

Information

Clichés and Superficiality

Galatians 6:9, (NLT)

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Don’t give up!