'One Anothering, Part 1: Making Connections' by Mal Calladine - October 4 2020
How can we build our lives better around looking out for one another? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at four instructions from the Bible we can apply in all of our relationships where we make any kind of connection with people. What does it mean for us to love one another, greet one another, show hospitality to one another and be kind and compassionate to one another? And if God empowers us to do this better, what difference can that make?
Discussion and follow up
1. Love one another (John 14: 34)
Who are you reminded of in Jesus’ command to “must” love?
What response could you make to that person? (in prayer & practically?)
2. Greet one another (2 Corinthians 13:12)
What ways can you most greet as you connect to people in this season? Face to face? Or email, text or even letter / card by snail mail?
Who can you take an interest in who could be feeling anonymous? (that you make a difference by greeting?)
If a good greeting is a form of blessing – calling down the alignment of God on someone - who are you reminded of most wanting to greet / bless right now? Pray for them now. How could you respond to this practically? (in person? via text / email?)
3. Show Hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
Who can you be hospitable to? Even at a distance / online?
What ways in this season could you show more hospitality or open your home (keeping to Covid guidelines & the rule of 6)?
4. Be Kind & Compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
Who are you reminded of to show kindness towards?
Who are the VIPs (Very Inspiring People) who point you towards kindness?
What are you called to do?
And finally…
Was the Holy Spirit showing you anything else particularly during the talk?
More in this series
What do you want your household to be known for? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at how we can decide this and create a culture rather than having things just happen. It's also up to us how to develop spiritual lives in our families, and Mal has lots of practical ways to do this, and find time when it seems to be scarce. What will you choose to try?
What can we do that is healthy for others to copy? In this Fathers’ Day talk, Mal Calladine continues our series of looking at long term relationships as family. What are the benefits of having a goal for our households? When things go wrong, can we rebuild stability with some CPR - consistency, predictability and reliability? And how much difference can it make to share the words, “I love you,” “I believe in you,” “I’m sorry - forgive me,” and “I’m praying for you”?
When problems come up in family relationships, are we more focused on correction or connection? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at different ways we relate to each other as family, in community as well as biological families. We can choose different styles of relationship, such as being authoritarian or permissive when we are parenting, but we might need to learn how to find a middle, more life-affirming way to avoid pain and stress. What can we do to improve how we connect emotionally? Can Jesus' stories and personal example help?
What does it mean to be family and neighbours? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at how Jesus' close relationships with family and neighbours worked, and how this can help us reimagine what is possible in our relationships too.
How can we grow and support each other in committed relationships? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at ways the Bible tells us to treat each other when we have shared covenants or commitments to relationship. What does it mean to be two people of the same mind? How can we more live in harmony with each other? And what does submitting to one another look like in a healthy relationship?
How good can it be to trust people to stretch us? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at more ways the Bible tells us to treat one another - these ones are for within relationships of trust. Sometimes we need challenging or instructing, other times we need correction or the chance to confess where we have made mistakes. Can we get better at doing this lovingly and prayerfully so our lives can be better?
We could all use some encouragement right now, so how can we get better at encouraging each other? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at what the Bible says about this and lots of examples of people who are good at encouraging. There are lots of practical ideas for building people up, comforting and serving people, and sharing difficult things too.
What can we do to improve the quality of difficult relationships? Can we get better at accepting other people? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at more of the Bible’s instructions on how to treat one another. As simple and familiar as they might sound, putting them into practice can be a real challenge, but there are huge benefits for us, our neighbours and our culture.
How can we build our lives better around looking out for one another? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at four instructions from the Bible we can apply in all of our relationships where we make any kind of connection with people. What does it mean for us to love one another, greet one another, show hospitality to one another and be kind and compassionate to one another? And if God empowers us to do this better, what difference can that make?