The Jesus Way of Growing a Church Part 3

A study of the gospels demonstrates the way Jesus built his church via relationships. Consider the relationships Jesus had with people.

• To Nicodemus he was a rabbi.
• To Mary, Martha & Lazarus he was a friend.
• To the woman at the well he was a compassionate man.
• To the woman caught in adultery he was the non-accuser.
• To the disciples he was a mentor.
• To the the thief on the cross he was the savior.

Throughout the gospels Jesus was constantly building relationships with others, regardless of their station in life, he truly was the friend to sinners. If we are to build churches the Jesus way, we must focus on building relationships with people. The question for all of us is how to we build relationships today? Let me suggest we P.I.C. our relationships;

1. Patiently, we live in a world of the moment, we want things to happen as soon as possible. However, building relationships does not happen overnight - it takes time to develop relationships.
2. Intentionally, building relationships does not just happen; we do not drift into relationships, we must intentionally seek out relationships with others.
3. Constantly, Too often in the church we get a group of friends we feel extremely close to and it is difficult for new people to enter "The Circle of Trust". Yet from looking at the life of Jesus, we learn we was constantly adding relationships to his life. In fact, moments before his death on the cross he added one more relationship that changed a man's eternal destination - The thief on the cross.

Are you "P.I.C.ing " new relationships? Take some time to think about the Jesus way and begin building the church through your relationships.