The importance of connecting people in the

church cannot be overemphasized.

Relationships are the glue that holds a

church together.

In a recent survey people were asked, “Why did you

join your church?” 93% said, “I joined because of

the pastor”.

When asked, “What if the pastor leaves, will you

leave?” That same 93% said, “No. Because I have

friends here!”

Strong relationships are one of the keys to a healthy church and no church will

be stronger than the relationships its people have with each other.

In fact, in the same survey, 400 church dropouts were asked why they left and 75% said “Nobody really

cared about me.”

The lesson: the church is to be based in and built on

love and it if isn't,

it will never accomplish God’s purposes in our lives

or in the world. (Rick Warren)

LOVE: OUR GREATEST COMMANDMENT

The most important commandment says: You

must love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and

strength.

The second most important commandment says: Love

others as much as you love yourself.

No other commandment is more important than these.

(Mark 12:30-31 – Contemporary English Version)

Loving God and loving others is the most

important thing in life

LOVE: OUR GREATEST

MESSAGE

So I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember

the ways that I have loved you,

and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways. (John 13:34 – The

Voice)

I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each

other in the same exact way that I

have loved you. (John 13:34 – Names Of God

Bible)

We are to love others the exact same way that Jesus love us!

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you

are my disciples. (John 13:34-35 – The Voice)

Everyone will know you as My followers if you

demonstrate your love to others.

(John 13:35 – The Voice)

We show the world that Christianity is real

by loving others

LOVE:OUR GREATEST

CHALLENGE

If you've got it in you, get along with everybody.

(Romans 12:18 – The Message)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

(Romans 12:18 – New International Version)

With God’s help, we should try our

hardest to get along with

Everyone In The Family

LOVE: THE 5 C’S OF GREAT

CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS

Here’s what I want you to do . . . pour yourselves out for each other in acts of love,

alert at noticing differences and quick

at mending fences.

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the

same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly . . . What this adds

up to is this:

no more lies, no more pretense. Tell each other the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other,

after all. When you lie to others,

you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry —

but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed

angry.

Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your

life . . . Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say

only what helps,

each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his

heart . . . Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with

one another,

sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and

thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:3-4,

25-32 – The Message)

Commitment We are a family no matter what

happens

Communication We must be open and honest with each other

Conflict Resolution We need to forgive

and not hold grudges

CompassionWe should always try and help each other

Connection We will grow stronger

as we grow closer

Let’s Pray