08/08/2010 : The Art of Connecting with People

-Pst. Mark Conner

The Art of Connecting with People

Rom 15:13

Life is all about relationships

Genesis was telling us that God believes in having relationships - He made Eve for that purpose
It's thus important to know how to communicate between people - EQ
A good EQ is knowing how how to separate your emotions
Book: "Everybody is normal until you know them."
Nobody is exactly perfect even in the Old Testament

Connecting skills

1. The Art of Acceptance
Jesus has the ability to accept people as they are
We tend to treat people based on our value-system
Jesus sees a "perfect 10" for everyone- Children or outcast
Rom 15:7
Jesus accepted people first before even they change
Remember that everyone is love by God

2. The Art of Listening
Jesus often asks questions so that He can relates to others
Jam 1:19-20
Jesus calls people by their names personally
Don't try to compete the sentences for others
Showing another person's worth by paying attention to their words

3. The Art of Empathy
Listen to the heart & beyond the words
The woman by the well - Jesus listens to her heart & not just her life situation
He sees that she is still thirsty & searching
Remember everyone has a story

4. The Art of Authenticity
We need to be real, open & transparent to others
Mat 26:36-38
Jesus was with His 3 most trusted friends & He asked of them to stay by Him as His heart was deeply sorrowful
In safe relationships- don't do impressions management

5. The Art of Forgiveness
Jesus taught & modeled forgiveness throughout all His ministry
Mat 18:15
Jesus asks us to confront our anger but in asking forgiveness

6. The Art of Loving Confrontation
Eph 4:15
We need to speak to others in Love- not without each other
We need to know how to confront people lovingly
But we can confront others, we need to love them

7. The Art of Encouragement
Seagulls managers are terrible
Encouragement is oxygen to the soul
People can't read our minds
God burst out of heavens declaring that Jesus is His son & that He is pleases with Him although Jesus has not started His ministry yet
Heb 10:24-25
Luk 4:16
Jesus went to the synagogue so as to meet others

Do we need to change? Make new decisions?
Confess our own weakness daily & not just brush it over

- CHC @ Expo Hall 8; Sun Service @ 10am