GlocalNet

At NorthWood this year we are focusing on the “year of the disciple.” We started a series yesterday on the “Marriage Portrait” and Jordan kicked it off stating that our primary discipling relationship is in marriage.  It was really good.  I’ll be dealing with what a “long-term” marriage is like and what all the “authority” stuff is about.  You can follow these sermons at northwoodchurch.org

What are the top 4 focused relationships that God has put you in to fulfill what God has called you to do?  If you’re married, your spouse is your number one relationship.  After that, what are the next 3?  Who is your team?  As our church grew I came to the realization that we can only manage so many relationships.  Things can get cluttered by other people’s agendas, which in turn can affect motives, commitment, etc.  Who loves you because they love you, who is going with you because they believe in the vision.  How do you discern? 

Here are some things I look at:

1.  What were they doing before they knew you? Did it have anything to do what God has called you to do?

2.  What does their past relational map look like? Birds of a feather flock together. 

3.  Have they disagreed with you, yet still supported you to the hilt?

4.  Are they there before you need them? 

5.  Do you enjoy working with them and do they enjoy being with you?

6.  What are their gifts and talents and how do they compliment or bring things to the table that you don’t?

7.  Can they not only critique you, and can they receive critique?