Gardens Part 12: Test Your Relationships

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 

In our efforts to build bridges and tear down walls, we must test our relationships. 

1. Am I truly yoked to Jesus? (Matthew 11:29-30)

2. Am I yoked with other believers who help me “purify” and “perfect holiness”?

3. Do I need to unyoke from any unbelieving relationships or habits? 

REMEMBER: ALL GOD’S PROMISES ARE YES! IN CHRIST! (2 Cor 1:20)

“I will live with them and walk among them,

And I will be their God,

And they will be my people.” 

“Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 

“I will be a Father to You, 

And you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

(2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

WE ARE THE DEARLY BELOVED AND WE NEED EACH OTHER

As God’s dearly beloved, we are given a saving relationship with Him and an encouraging relationship with other believers. We need Him and each other. 

WE ARE THE DEARLY BELOVED AND WE NEED TO WEED TOGETHER

As God’s dearly beloved, we are given instructions to cut off habits and relationships that drag down our belief and darken our hearts. We don’t need wickedness, darkness, the devil, unbelief or idols. 

THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK EACH OTHER

1. How is your soul?

2. How are your relationships?

3. How can I lift you up?

Explore more ideas on how to cultivate growth in the Relationship Garden with the Growth Plan at:

www.stillnaz.com/growthplan.  

For Further Study on 2 Corinthians: 

Bible Project’s Summary

 https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-corinthians/  

Theology of Work’s Exploration

https://dev.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/2-corinthians 

Especially the article on “Working with Unbelievers.” 

For Relationship Guidance from RightNow Media:

“Find Your People” 

Jennie Allen

https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/524867 

“Real Relationships” 

Les and Leslie Parrott

https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/894 

Free RightNow Account: www.stillnaz.com/rightnow 

Message Reflection Questions

1. Begin with silence.

2. What did God say to you through the message?

3. Read Matthew 11:29-30. What does it mean to be yoked with Jesus?

4. What habits or relationships help you personally stay yoked to Jesus?

5. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. What does it mean to be yoked with unbelievers? Why can’t you be yoked with Jesus and the ways of unbelievers?

6. Read the promises of 2 Cor 6:16b-18. Which resonates with your soul and which do you struggle with believing?

7. How do these promises help us “purify ourselves” and “perfect holiness” as Paul describes in 2 Cor 7:1?

8. What habits or relationships do you need to cut off in order to purify yourself and perfect holiness? What habit or relationship do you need to add?

9. Close in prayer. Include prayers for renewal and revival in you, in Stillmeadow and in the church in America.

DAILY READINGS 

For the Relational Garden series, we’re reading through the second letter to the Corinthians, to whom Paul was appealing for reconciliation and collaboration. 

Monday: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Thursday: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Friday: 2 Corinthians 10:1-11

Saturday: 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

Helpful Instructions for reading

1. Start with silence. Recognize that the Jesus Paul talks about is the Jesus who is with you now.

2. Thank God for something that happened in the last 24 hours.

3. Read the verses. Ask: What is God saying about how we relate to Him and how we relate to others in this passage?

4. Review the memory verse for the series: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

5. Finish in prayer for yourself, your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your church. Pray through the nations at www.prayercast.com/nations.html.