Understanding relationships
Life is about relationships. How we feel about ourselves determines our ability to form and sustain healthy relationships. There are a number of factors that determine our self-image; understanding our temperaments and those formative influences will help us to answer these questions. We hope that you will find here an understanding of yourself and others that will help you to bring together life-changing truth and the challenges of everyday life. We trust that in these resources you will discover principles that will equip you to work through the most challenging relationship issues, whether in your own life or as you offer support for others.
How understanding helps relationships
We have taught for many years in this church that relationships have to be at the centre of everything. Firstly, our relationship with God - 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' - and then others - 'Love your neighbour as yourself' (Luke 10:27).
This is because, at the back of everything, is a Triune God who has always been, always is, and always will be involved in the deepest, most meaningful relationships possible. In other words, we - and all of creation - are simply made that way.
However, we live in a broken, damaged world. Sin and its consequences destroy relationships. The church is God's way of restoring those relationships - through Jesus.
So, we are not about temperaments. They simply help put shape and understanding to how we tick. Rather, we are about restoring relationships because that is what God is about. We are not even about growth or wholeness. Those things happen as a by-product of pressing through in our relationships.
If we make growth the primary aim the focus comes back on to us. If we make relationships our passion then it will always be about the other person. We are certainly not into self-help - that would be a denial of the Gospel - but we do believe that we should take responsibility for ourselves to live in God's grace and power.
This is because, at the back of everything, is a Triune God who has always been, always is, and always will be involved in the deepest, most meaningful relationships possible. In other words, we - and all of creation - are simply made that way.
However, we live in a broken, damaged world. Sin and its consequences destroy relationships. The church is God's way of restoring those relationships - through Jesus.
So, we are not about temperaments. They simply help put shape and understanding to how we tick. Rather, we are about restoring relationships because that is what God is about. We are not even about growth or wholeness. Those things happen as a by-product of pressing through in our relationships.
If we make growth the primary aim the focus comes back on to us. If we make relationships our passion then it will always be about the other person. We are certainly not into self-help - that would be a denial of the Gospel - but we do believe that we should take responsibility for ourselves to live in God's grace and power.
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