Love Talk 1– Communication 101

Three Seasons Community Church– 9-9-07

The majority of the battle is putting the information you’re learning into practice!

Our goal during this series is simple –

1– The Foundation

The foundation of any healthy relationship has to be God!

2 Cor. 6:14-16 (NIV)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? [15] What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

Are you both believers?

If not, how open is your spouse to accepting Jesus?

Don’t date, or marry an unbeliever! You cannot change them and they may not let God change them!

2 – The Lifeblood or nerve center

In a house it’s your water shut off valve and your electrical panel

In a relationship it’s COMMUNICATION!!!

James 1:19 (NIV)

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

TIME to talk

ATTEND to your partner [Psychological and Physical attention]

Keys: Good Eye Contact; Be "in tune" with your partner; Choose and environment free of distractions

LISTEN to the feelings not just the words

CLARIFY the content [since many words have multiple meanings]

AVOID giving unwanted advice

THIS STOPS THE FLOW OF CONVERSATION AND GOES TOWARD SOLVING A "PROBLEM" THAT MAY NOT NEED TO BE SOLVED

The #1 problem couples report is breakdown in communication.

On a scale of 1-10 how would your spouse rate your relationship?

"Once the walls are going up it’s pretty hard to get out of it"

Are there "walls" in your relationship? Why?

Are there subjects you avoid? Why?

Have you signed up for a Journey Group?

Communication is the lifeblood of your relationship!! Let’s learn to do it better!