Relational Wisdom

Why do some people have stronger friendships and marriages than others?  Why do they truly enjoy their children, perform so well in the workplace, and have such an appealing Christian witness?  And why are they so good at reducing and resolving conflict?

A Better Kind of Smart

Why?  Because they have something more valuable than a high IQ: they’ve developed relational wisdom.

Relational Wisdom: A Theology for Life

The Bible provides a highly effective way to deal with relationships and the emotions that fuel them. These truths may be organized into a discipleship paradigm called “relational wisdom.”

Relationships are three dimensional

 God, Self, Others

Relationships involve two dynamics

Aware – What do I know? (Knowledge)

Engaging – What will I do? (Action)

To be relationally wise in all situations …

PRACTICE THE SOG (OR SOV) PLAN

 Self-aware: How am I feeling and acting?

·         What am I feeling? Why?

·         What do I feel like doing? What are the likely consequences?

·         What can I do instead?

 Other-aware: How are others feeling and how am I affecting them?

·         What do others seem to feel? Need? Want? Fear?

·         How am I impacting others?

·         Is this really the best time to talk, counsel, or correct?

·         How can I serve, love, or forgive others?

God-aware: Where is God leading me?

·         Who is God? What is he like? What is he doing?

·         Am I acting in faith or unbelief? Do I trust in him or myself?

·         What difference does the gospel make?

·         How can I pray? What Scriptures can guide me?

·         How can I show that I love, trust, and obey God above all things?

o   Values-aware: Where are my values leading me?