The Word Trybe

PEOPLE SKILL 101: NAVIGATING FRIENDSHIPS, TALKING STAGES & RELATIONSHIPS“A man with many friends may lose them. But there is a friend who is more faithful than a brother.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬ ‭EASY‬‬“Anyone who does not love other people does not know God. We know this because God's own nature is love.”‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭EASY‬‬“Stop doing evil things. Instead, do things that are good. Try to be friends with people. Help people to live in peace with each other.”‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭EASY‬‬“Instead, we will love each other and we will speak God's true message. As a result, we will become more and more like Christ in every way. He is the head of his body, which is the church.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭EASY‬‬“It is God himself who helps us to be patient and strong. So I pray that he will help you to agree with each other and to be friends. That is how Christ Jesus wants you to live.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭EASY‬‬

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-13 KJV‬‬“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭TPT‬‬You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.‭‭

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬Charity never faileth:..‭‭

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬Charity beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.‭‭

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬“Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭KJVCharity thinketh no evil;

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬Charity is not easily provoked…..‭‭

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬Charity seeketh not her own,…

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬“Charity doth not behave itself unseemly,…

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬Charity is not puffed up,…‭‭

charity vaunteth not itself….‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬…charity envieth not;..

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬“Charity is kind;….”‭‭

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬“Charity suffereth long, …..,”

Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭32‬ ‭KJV‬‬And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence! You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. You have laid your hand on me! This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible! Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength. Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run and hide from your face? If I go up to heaven, you’re there! If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too! If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there! If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting! Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me. It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me, for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night. There is no such thing as darkness with you. The night, to you, is as bright as the day; there’s no difference between the two. You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord! You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place; carefully, skillfully you shaped me from nothing to something. You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me.‭‭

James‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭MSG‬‬You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.

1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭MSG‬‬We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don’t be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time.‭‭

2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭MSG‬‬In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭PEV‬‬‭‭ Let me use another picture story. In a big house there are lots of things that people use all the time. Some of those things are really special, like gold bowls and silver spoons, and people use those things for good clean jobs. But for dirty jobs, they use pots made from the ground, or from wood. Well, it is like that too with people that belong to God. If you stop doing bad things, you are like gold things or silver things, and God will use you for the good jobs. You will live in a clean way, and you will be ready for God to use you any way he wants to.

Jesus said to his followers, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.”Mark 16:15 (NCV)Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.Psalm 67:2 (LB)…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: The Great Commission is mycommission.Verse to Remember: “Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.” Psalm 67:2 (LB)Question to Consider: What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short-term missions experience in the next year?

Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them.1 John 5:10a (GWT)Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word. . . .The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message!1 Thessalonians 1:8 (MSG)

In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.John 17:18 (MSG)The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me.Acts 20:24 (NCV)………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: I was made for a mission.Verse to Remember: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV)Question to Consider: What fears have kept me fromfulfilling the mission God made me to accomplish?What keeps me from telling others the Good News?

We are weak . . . yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.2 Corinthians 12:9a (LB)…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: God works best when I admit myweakness.Verse to Remember: “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.”2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)Question to Consider: Am I limiting God’s power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do Ineed to be honest about in order to help others?

My servant Caleb thinks differently and follows me completely.Numbers 14:24 (NCV)Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.Philippians. 2:5 (MSG)…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: To be a servant I must think like aservant.Verse to Remember: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 (NIV)Question to Consider: Am I usually more concernedabout being served or finding ways to serve others?

Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.”Mark 10:43 (MSG)Y ou can tell what they are by what they do.Matthew 7:16 (CEV)…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: I serve God by serving others.Verse to Remember: “If you give even a cup of coldwater to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42 (NLT)Question to Consider: Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?

Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.Romans 12:5 (MSG)What you are is God’s gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God.Danish proverb…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: God deserves my best.Verse to Remember: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)Question to Consider: How can I make the best use of what God has given me?

You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb.Psalm 139:13 (MSG)…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: Nobody else can be me.Verse to Remember: “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.”1 Peter 4:10 (LB)Question to Consider: What God-given ability orpersonal experience can I offer to my church?

Your hands shaped me and made me.Job 10:8 (NIV)The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises.Isaiah 43:21 (NJB)…………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: I was shaped for serving God.Verse to Remember: “God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all.”1 Corinthians 12:6 (Ph)Question to Consider: In what way can I see myselfpassionately serving others and loving it?

It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.Ephesians 2:10 (LB)I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do.John 17:4 (MSG)………………………………………………………………………………………….Point to Ponder: Service is not optional.Verse to Remember: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)Question to Consider: What is holding me back fromaccepting God’s call to serve him?

Everything on earth has its own timeand its own season.Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CEV)I am sure that God who began the good workwithin you will keep right on helping you growin his grace until his task within you is finallyfinished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.Philippians. 1:6 (LB)………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: There are no shortcuts to maturity.Verse to Remember: “God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6 (NCV)Question to Consider: In what area of my spiritualgrowth do I need to be more patient and persistent?

Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts . . . but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right.2 Timothy 2:22 (LB)Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: There is always a way out.Verse to Remember: “God is faithful. He will keep thetemptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.”1 Corinthians 10:13b (NLT)Question to Consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?

Happy is the man who doesn’t give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him.James 1:12 (LB)My temptations have been my masters in divinity ~ Martin Luther…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.Verse to Remember: God blesses the people whopatiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.James 1:12 (NLT)Question to Consider: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most commontemptation I face?

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)It is the fire of suffering that brings forth the gold of godliness ~ Madame Guyon…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: There is a purpose behind everyproblem.Verse to Remember: “And we know that in all thingsGod works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)Question to Consider: What problem in my life hascaused the greatest growth in me?

People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.Matthew 4:4 (NLT)God’s . . . gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need.Acts 20:32 (MSG)……………………………………………………………………………………….Point to Ponder: The truth transforms me.Verse to Remember:“If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31–32 (KJV)Question to Consider: What has God already told mein his Word that I haven’t started doing yet?

God wants us to grow up . . .like Christ in everything.Ephesians. 4:15a (MSG)We are not meant to remain as children.Ephesians 4:14a (PH)………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: It is never too late to start growing.Verse to Remember: “Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” Romans 12:2b (TEV)Question to Consider: What is one area where I needto stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way?

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.Romans 8:29 (MSG)We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.Colossians 1:15 (MSG)………………………………………………………………………………………….Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.Verse to Remember: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit’s power to be like Christtoday?

You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.Ephesians 4:3 (NCV)Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.Colossians 3:14 (LB)…………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect theunity of my church.Verse to Remember: “Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together.” Romans 14:19Question to Consider: What am I personally doing toprotect unity in my church family right now?

2 Corinthians 5:18 (GWT)[God] has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.………………..…………………………………………………………………………7 BIBLICAL STEPS IN RESTORING A RELATIONSHIP ​ Talk to God before talking to the person​ Always take the initiative ​ Sympathize with their feelings​ Confess your part of the conflict​ Attack the problem, not the person​ Cooperate as much as possible ​ Emphasize reconciliation, not resolutionPoint to Ponder: Relationships are always worthrestoring.Verse to Remember: “Do everything possible on yourpart to live in peace with everybody.”Romans 12:18 (TEV)Question to Consider: Who do I need to restore abroken relationship with today?

But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’ —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert,‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭5, 12-15 MSG‬‬BOOK REVIEW…………………………………You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.James 3:18 (MSG)They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.Acts 2:42 (MSG)…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: Community requires commitment.Verse to Remember: “We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers.” 1 John 3:16 (GWT)Question to Consider: How can I help cultivate todaythe characteristics of real community in my small group and my church?

Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace.Colossians 3:15 (CEV)How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony!Psalm 133:1 (TEV)…………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: I need others in my life.Verse to Remember: “Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:2 (NLT)Question to Consider: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?

You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.Ephesians 2:19b (LB)God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.1 Timothy 3:15b (GWT)…………………………………………………………………………………………Point to Ponder: I am called to belong, not just believe.Verse to Remember:“In Christ we who are many formone body, and each member belongs to all the others.”Romans 12:5 (NIV)Question to Consider: Does my level of involvementin my local church demonstrate that I love and amcommitted to God’s family?

No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.1 Corinthians 13:3b (MSG)Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.2 John 1:6 (NCV)………………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: Life is all about love.Verse to Remember: “The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”Galatians 5:14 (NIV)Question to Consider: Honestly, are relationships myfirst priority? How can I ensure that they are?

God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory.Hebrews 2:10a (NCV)See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!1 John 3:1 (NLT)……………………………………………………………………………………..Point to Ponder: I was formed for God’s family.Verse to Remember: “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:5a (NLT)Question to Consider: How can I start treating otherbelievers like members of my own family?