How to Restore Broken Relationships

The weekend doesn't have to end. Keep Talking on your own or with a group.

Start Talking - Find conversation starters for the group or with a friend.

• As Christmas approaches, what are you looking forward to most?
• Everyone has relationships that could be better. Describe a time recently when you worked to make a relationship better. What did you do?

Keep Reading – Read the Scripture and ask a question to get the group thinking.

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

• Peace was defined as not the absence of pain and conflict but the presence of the person of Christ.
• Why is it important for Christians to seek “peace” and “goodwill” with all people as much as possible? Why does it matter?

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

• Peace is a gift from God and should guide and lead us in our relationships.
• In your life, how have you seen thankfulness and gratitude soothe and mend relationships?

Keep Talking – Choose questions to create openness.

How can you have P.E.A.C.E. in your relationships this Christmas?

1. Pray for the people that brought you pain.

• Matthew 5:44-45 says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. . . “
  Pastors Jimmy and Irene were honest and direct about this point – this just doesn’t sound right! Yet it is what Jesus taught because prayer takes the pain out of my hands and gives it to God. Can you share a time when you did this – as difficult as it may have been?
• Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” We also learned that as we pray, prayer changes us before it changes others. How have you recently seen this truth, either in your own life or someone else’s?

2. Examine your heart even when you’re hurt.

• Psalms 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” As we seek peace with others, we examine our own hearts first, and ask if "anything" is offensive in us. Why is this crucial to bringing peace?
• Hebrews 12:14 says, “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Managing unrealistic expectations is part of the “work” needed to keep relationships strong and healthy. Have you been in a relationship where you realized you had unrealistic expectations? What did you do to restore peace?

3. Accept that God uses fractures for a better future.

• Matthew 5:9 says, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” Pastors Jimmy and Irene reminded us that conflict is an invitation from God to love as He loves. While we know this is true, what gets in the way of us realizing this when conflict arises?
• As support for this third point, Pastors Jimmy and Irene said, “There is a greater purpose in the pain.” What did they mean by that? How have you seen this is true in your own life?

4. Commit to a route of reconciliation.

• Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Matthew 6:15 says, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” We discovered these verses remind us forgiveness is a decision we make and that “you control you.” Even though reconciliation may not always happen in our relationships, why should it still be our goal?
• Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Pastors Jimmy and Irene stated, “It’s not about my rights, but my ways.” What did they mean by this statement? How does this remind you that the vertical relationship is crucial to every horizontal relationship you have?

5. Embrace the gift of grace.

• 2 Peter 1:2 says, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” Our pastors said, “As I give more grace, I receive more peace.” How have you seen the validity of this statement in one of your relationships?
• Notice the verb in this point – embrace! How do we embrace God’s grace? How can we do this in our lives today?

Keep Moving/Going – Commit to a step and live it out this week.

Pastors Jimmy and Irene closed by reminding us, “Our connection with God requires communion with people.”

As you prepare to enter the holiday season, are there any relationships that could be better? Or is there a relationship that unfortunately, is a battle, and there hasn’t been any constructive communication for a long time? If so:

• Will you commit today to seek P.E.A.C.E. in each of those relationships and be willing to do whatever God puts on your heart during this holiday season?
• S.O.A.P out a passage of Scripture from this week.

Keep Praying

• Allow time for prayer requests from everyone in the group.
• Pray

Keep Praising

“Christmas Day” - Chris Tomlin / We the Kingdom

“You Hold It All Together” – Maverick City

“King of Kings” – Hillsong Worship

Or check out our "Faith Over Fear" playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.

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