SUNDAY LESSON, 2/2/25
BUILDING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS:
CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
1 John 4:18; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
This is week 5 in our new year sermon series: BUILDING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS. This Sunday we are studying how important it is to CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT in our homes, churches, places of work, etc. It all starts with loving one another.
When we don’t feel safe in a relationship, we put up walls of safety to protect us from being hurt. However, these relational walls keep us from really connecting with the people in our lives on a deeper level. Thus, it creates a sense of dread and fear in our homes, churches and/or places of work.
The late Biblical counselor and author, David Powelson, writes: “Safety is when you feel free to open up and reveal who you really are and know that the other person will still love, accept, and value you—no matter what.” This is the kind of relationship that God wants us to have and enjoy with others but we don’t always make it safe for the other person in our relationship, and it’s not always safe for us.
1 JOHN 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
