Loving People Resources: General

Loving People: "I am growing in my ability to receive and show love to others."

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In this general category, we recommend one activity most: learning what it means to relate to one another in a loving way and encouraging one another, as in a Running Partner relationship.

Running partners exist to encourage one another spiritually -- just as athletes need training partners, we need people to run alongside us as we seek to follow Christ. Be sure to read the Running Partner information contained the appendix of the "Investigating the Way of Christ" study, or click here to view those pages online.

As you grow in loving people, it helps to know what the Bible says about our relationships with "one another." Check out this exercise to consider some of the "One Another" commands in Scripture.

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Boundaries

Author: Henry Cloud & John Townsend
© 2002 Zondervan ISBN 0310247454
Notes: This is a self-help style book about setting up clear boundaries in your life -- with your family, friends, work, and self. This book is especially interesting for anyone who feels taken advantage of, who thinks they have trouble saying no, or who wonders about setting limits in their relationships.
Resource Access: Purchase at a bookstore (including at Gateway) or order online
Growth Level: Develop

Investigating the Way of Christ

Author: Gateway Community Church
© 2003-2007 Gateway Community Church
Notes: Learn about the way of life Jesus has planned for all of his followers. Includes 16 individual lessons organized around each of the Way of Christ categories (Loving God, Loving People, Building Character, and Being the Body / Building Christ's Church). Printed copies available for $5 at Gateway's bookstore (for people who attend Gateway -- we cannot ship them) or click the "online" box below to download a free PDF version.
Resource Access: Available in June at the bookstore
Growth Level: Discover

12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (Like Me)

Author: John Fischer
© 2000 Bethany House Publishers ISBN 0764222023
Notes: # Step 1: "We admit that our single most unmitigated pleasure is to judge other people." If that statement is something you relate to, this book may be for you. Through adaptations of the 12-steps, Fischer tries to help his readers "find grace to live unmasked." When we seek to judge others, we are trying to show that we are better than anyone -- but judgment is not a relational quality Jesus calls us to! # Reading Notes: The style of writing and content may relate most to those generally familiar with the Bible and traditional church life. Therefore, this book is not recommended as highly for those who are new to church involvement -- Fischer's stories may not hold as much meaning for you.
Resource Access: Purchase at a bookstore (including at Gateway) or order online
Growth Level: Deepen

Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them

Author: John Ortberg
© 2003 Zondervan ISBN 0310228646
Notes: So, you think you're normal? Well, maybe not... The first section of this book is titled "Normal: There's No Such Thing, Dear." From the first chapter, Ortberg helps us all realize that all of us could come with a "slightly irregular" tag -- yet we can live with authenticity with others, despite how un-normal we actually are. Other chapters talk about acceptance, empathy, conflict, forgiveness, confrontation, inclusion, and gratitude.
Resource Access: Purchase at a bookstore (including at Gateway) or order online
Growth Level: Develop

Memorize a key verse - John 13:34

Author: John 13:34
(NA)
Notes: # Memorize a key passage of Scripture about Loving People. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (NIV).
Resource Access: Look up the verses in your Bible or access at BibleGateway
Growth Level: All

Media

There are currently no resources of this type in this category.

Group Study

Connecting With God's Family

Author / Series: Brett & Dee Eastman, et.al.. / Life Together
© 2002 Zondervan ISBN 0310246733
Bible Section: Topical Study
Notes: A group study community and loving people. This is a good general introduction to the concept, and it's especially appropriate for brand new groups who are both learning about community & experiencing it in their groups.
Resource Access: Purchase at a bookstore (including at Gateway) or order online
Leader Notes: 6 sessions. Recommended for new leaders & Taste of Community groups.
Growth Level: Discover

Sermon on the Mount (part 2): Connect with Others

Author / Series: Bill Hybels / New Community (Willow Creek)
© 2001 Zondervan ISBN 0310228840
Bible Section: NT-Matthew
Notes: Looking through selections from Matthew 5-7, this study guide looks at the broad topic of connecting with others -- how we interact with others and the non-Christian world we live in. 6 sessions cover topics such as peacemaking, authentic faith, lust vs. love, truth-telling, and judging others.
Resource Access: Leaders can access at the library or anyone can order online
Leader Notes: 6 sessions. Suitable for both new and experienced leaders. Could extend this study by using Sermon on the Mount 1: Connect with God (Loving God category)
Growth Level: Develop

Celebrating Friendship

Author / Series: Edited by Traci Mullins / Women of Faith
© 1998 Zondervan ISBN 031021338X
Bible Section: Topical Study
Notes: This study guide is clearly designed for women. Think about what friendship means, from a woman's perspective, and through examining several Biblical friendships.
Resource Access: Buy at a bookstore, including at Gateway online ordering
Leader Notes: 6 sessions. Can be easily used by new leaders and new groups. The lessons are easy to understand. Not recommended for groups looking for truly deep studies, but great for busy women, especially moms!
Growth Level: Discover

Loving God & Others

Author / Series: Group Publishing / Learn It Live It
© 2005 Group Publishing ISBN 0764427741
Bible Section: Topical Study
Notes: This study is all about the two greatest commandments - to love God and love people. This series is highly interactive and focused on living out what you learn -- not being content to just gain knowledge, but put it in practice.
Resource Access: Leaders can access at the library or anyone can order online
Leader Notes: 8 sessions. The Learn It Live It series are easy to lead and cover good material.
Growth Level: Develop

1 John: Love Each Other

Author / Series: Bill Hybels / New Community (Willow Creek)
© 1999 Zondervan ISBN 0310227682
Bible Section: NT-1 John
Notes: Group Study about the book of 1st John. Sessions take a group through the entire book of 1 John - a book that focuses on love.
Resource Access: Leaders can access at the library or anyone can order online
Leader Notes: 6 sessions. Recommended for more experienced leaders.
Growth Level: Develop

Lessons on Love: Building Deeper Relationships

Author / Series: Bill Hybels / InterActions (Willow Creek)
© 2005 (updated) Zondervan ISBN 0310265932
Bible Section: Topical Study
Notes: Group Study about love -- love without limits. Sessions cover tender love, tough love, sacrificial love, steadfast love, and radical love.
Resource Access: Buy at a bookstore, including at Gateway online ordering
Leader Notes: 6 sessions. Recommended for new leaders. Previously published as "Lessons on Love: Following Christ''s Example" Revised in 2005.
Growth Level: Develop

Friendship: Growing Side by Side

Bible Section: Topical Study
Notes: Dig through Bible stories of friendship -- some you're probably familiar with (David & Jonathan or Ruth & Naomi) and some you probably aren't (David & Mephibosheth, for example). Friendships, both when they are going well and going poorly, teach us to many important life lessons. This study guide will help you consider these important relationships.
Resource Access: Inquire at a bookstore or order online
Leader Notes: 10 sessions. The Life Guide studies are usually east to lead. Consider the length of the study before picking it to use with your group -- but you can easily omit some sessions.
Growth Level: Discover

Redefining Life: My Relationships

Bible Section: Topical Study
Notes: Like the other study guides in the Redefining Life series, this book appeals to people in their early to mid twenties. Tacking issues people really face in this transitional age, these books come through with solid questions about relationships for individual and group use.
Resource Access: Buy at a bookstore, including at Gateway online ordering
Leader Notes: 8 sessions. Suitable for group or individual use. Designed to be done first on your own, then discussed in a group. Individual portion includes elements that are suitable for people checking out faith, seekers, and new Christians or those new to small groups.
Growth Level: Discover