People Skills #4

PEOPLE SKILLS #4

The people in our life define the happiness in our life.

It is easy to go to extremes in the Bible, but we are called to live in the tension.

John 2:9-10 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

John 2:15-16 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

• Jesus was both invitational and challenging.

How Am I With People?

Heb 10:24-25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

John 4:15-18 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

John 4:28-29 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?

Hard conversations are not easy and have never been.

When we challenge, we want the best for the person and the best for the relationship.

CHECKPOINTS FOR HARD CONVERSATIONS

1. Be a liberal encourager.

2. Tone awareness.

3. Choose a foundational question.

4. Use an “and” statement.

5. Give the difficult info in 3 sentences or less.

6. Ask “Does that make sense?”