• Overcoming Broken Relationships (with additional seeker-friendly questions)
• Preparing for the Seasons of Our Lives (seeker-friendly)
• Relationship Rebuilding
• Repairing Broken Relationships (seeker-friendly)
• Revitalizing Stale Relationships (seeker-friendly)
• Steps to Rebuilding Relationships
• The Art of Living With Grace (seeker-friendly)
• The Influence of Respect in Relationships
• The Joy of Building Healthy Relationships
• The Joy of Friendship (seeker-friendly)
• Uncomplicating Challenging Relationships (with additional seeker-friendly questions)
• Understanding Submission

Note: Also see the main curriculum index for a section on Romance and Marriage. *********************************************************

Overcoming Broken Relationships

Related article: When a Friend Fails You http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/friendsfail.html

You are in a grocery store…and you see “her” – the woman who you thought was your closest friend. Just seeing her triggers incredible pain. Your mind cannot help but reflect back to those days when your friendship was deep, meaningful and what you both had thought as lasting forever. It’s hard for you to even try and untangle the process of what took place. Where did the conflict begin? There had always been so much understanding between each other and that is what made the friendship so completely unique.

• What are some effective ways of dealing with emotional feelings such as love, anger, bitterness, and feelings of vindictiveness in the process of letting go of a broken friendship?
• What have you found helpful in the process of beginning to trust again after you have been deeply hurt?
• Describe some of the reasons why friendships bring you enough joy to risk them.
• Discuss some initial stages of restoring broken relationships.
• What does the Bible say about restoring broken relationships?
• How can we honor God in our relationships?

Optional Seeker-Friendly Discussion Guide:

• What are some effective ways of dealing with emotional feelings such as love, anger, bitterness, and feelings of vindictiveness in the process of letting go of a broken friendship?
• What have you found helpful in the process of beginning to trust again after you have been deeply hurt?
• Describe some of the reasons why friendships bring you enough joy to risk them.
• Discuss some initial stages of restoring broken relationships.
• What role does forgiveness play in restoring relationships?
• How can one deal with conflict in a healthy way?
• Describe a perfect friend, or does one exist?

***********************************************

Preparing for the Seasons of Life (women, seeker-friendly)

Related Article: Changes in Family Dynamics http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/famdynamics.html

It seems that once you have finally exhausted each book written for the season of life you find yourself in, you complete that season and move on to another level of learning. As exciting as this can be, it is also frustrating. Many differing dynamics influence us. At times we wonder how to cope. Please join us as we discuss and share tools on how to maximize each season of our lives.

• What are some distinct seasons of a woman’s life?
• Every season presents challenges. How can we rise above them?
• How is God there for us through the seasons?
• How can we best help others through seasonal difficulties?
• How does our attitude affect the outlook we have on seasons?

***********************************************

Relationship Rebuilding

Resentment, hostility or judgmental attitudes are not valid options to us as Christians. Yet broken or strained relationships can complicate and hinder our lives. Rebuilding relationships is our topic today–join us in chat.

• What drives conflict in a relationship?
• Alienation and antagonism can drive wedges in relationships. What are the root causes of these?
• How can circumstances or strained relationships affect our perspective of God’s sovereignty?
• The joy of our faith may be in jeopardy because of a strained relationship. How does one surrender this to God?
• What steps are necessary to release control and allow God’s working in relationships?
• How can admitting and repenting of pride bring freedom?
• Rather than fuel resentment in a relationship, how can one have a change of heart and reconcile?
• How is reconciliation the miracle of rebuilding relationships?
• Making a decision to forgive is difficult, how does one do that?
• How was Jesus our ultimate forgiver?
• Close with a time of prayer, asking God to rebuild broken relationships.

***********************************************

Repairing Broken Relationships (seeker-friendly)

Related Articles:Heal a Relationship http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/reconcile.html

The devastation of a broken relationship can have long-term impact on our lives. There are relationships where reconciling is not possible and we are left to repair that relationship in how we come to terms with it. Prior to this happening, there are distinct steps we can take towards restoration and forgiveness. Please join us as we discuss this process.

• What are some factors that may cause a break in a relationship?
• Discuss effective ways to deal with conflict.
• How can we realistically examine our role in a broken relationship?
• What role does forgiveness play in the mending?
• When is full restoration of a relationship not possible?
• Where does one find strength and wisdom in the process of repair?

***********************************************

Revitalizing Stale Relationships (seeker-friendly)

Related Article: Follow the Golden Rule http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/golden.html

A relationship, which has gone stale, makes us wonder where the passion has gone. It is possible to revitalize these relationships and to bring life back into them. This is possible when you renew your perspective and we will discuss tools as to how you can do that during this session.

• What causes relationships to become stale?
• What are some signs that a relationship is deteriorating?
• How does one rekindle the flame to deepen a relationship?
• Challenging times occur in relationships; how does one best handle them?
• What are some practical ways to maintain a vibrant relationship?

***********************************************

Steps to Rebuilding Broken Relationships

Related article: When a Friend Fails You http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/friendsfail.html

You are in a grocery store.. and you see “her” – the woman who you thought was your closest friend. Just seeing her triggers incredible pain. Your mind cannot help but reflect back to those days when your friendship was deep, meaningful and what you both had thought as lasting forever. It’s hard for you to even try and untangle the process of what took place. Where did the conflict begin? There had always been so much understanding between each other and that is what made the friendship completely unique. Then your mind reflects back to your lifetime and it grieves you to reflect on the fact that she is not the only friend who you thought would stand by you forever. What is it that causes these incredible breeches in relationships? Where is the understanding – especially as believers? Tonight we want to discuss steps to rebuilding relationships. We will also discuss how we can let go of them when we know that there truly is nothing we can do to repair them.

• What are some of the causes of broken relationships?
• Discuss some initial stages of restoring relationships
• What are Biblical ways to restore broken relationships?
• Name some examples from the Bible of people who had broken relationships. How did they handle the difficulty?
• How can we honor God in our relationships?

***********************************************

The Art of Living with Grace

Related Article: Daughter of Grace http://www.christianwomentoday.com/growth/daughter.html

In a world where the rights of an individual are vital, the aspect of “undeserved favor” seems to be a misfit. Is it possible to grant to one who has wronged you “undeserved favor”? Ironically, it is grace that enables a family to function as unique individuals blend together. Please join us for a stimulating discussion on living with grace in a graceless society.

• How would you define ‘grace’?
• Is grace a lost virtue in today’s society?
• How do we give grace?
• How can we properly receive grace?
• How have you seen grace extended toward someone who had wronged a close friend or family member?
• How can we find and practice the balance between ‘toeing’ the line and application of grace?
• What affect will giving grace generously affect our lives and those around us?

*********************************************

The Influence of Respect

Related Article: Top Ten Ways… http://www.womentodaymagazine.com/relationships/tensupport.html

Few things feel as significant as the adoration and complete respect of a young child. Regardless of the relationship – it feels so good to be someone’s hero and to be respected. This gift of respect has an incredible ability to enrich relationships and carries a great amount of responsibility with it. Whether you find yourself at work, in a marriage, single, in a friendship or a parent each relationship can be richly enhanced with respect and honor. Please join us as we discuss how you can influence the relationships in your life with honor.

• What does honoring look like in a home or work situation?
• If we have not honored someone in the past, how can we improve that relationship?
• What are some ways we should react when we feel that we have not been honored?
• How does honor or lack of honor affect our relationships?
• How does our relationship with God help us in this area of honoring others?
• How can we pray regarding development of honor in our lives?
• How does the Holy Spirit help us to honor others?

***********************************************

The Joy of Healthy Relationships

 Related Article:: Heal A Relationship http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/reconcile.html?a=487 Hospitality On The Run http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/hosp.html

The true joy of great and meaningful relationships, we all long for them! What makes for real relationships that last, those that sustain you rather than drain you? Join us today for a stimulating discussion on building healthy relationships.

• What benefits can be found in a healthy relationship?
• Describe what a joyful relationship means to you.
• What things hinder relationships?
• How does one love unconditionally?
• What are some steps to make a relationship more meaningful and joyful?
• Where is the ultimate source of joy found?

***********************************************

The Joy of Friendship (women)

Related Article: Best Friends http://www.christianwomentoday.com/growth/bestfriend.html

Even in loneliness, have you ever looked at yourself as the friend of someone you may not have ever gotten to know before? You are in a position where you can bring joy into someone’s life by being a friend. As women, we are often lonely because of the busyness and sheltered lives we live. There are people all around us who feel the same and are looking for a meaningful friend. Even in this chat room, friendships are being built and women are being impacted through knowing that someone cares for them. Please join us!

• What does being a friend mean to you?
• What qualities do you value in a friend?
• How do you improve a friendship that is struggling?
• Should one sacrifice values for a friendship?
• What keeps a friendship alive and growing?
• What are some ways that we can cherish our friends more?

***********************************************

Uncomplicating Challenging Relationships

Related Article: Love needs Three http://www.christianwomentoday.com/womenmen/loveneedsthree.html

Sometimes we find ourselves in relationships where the values and ideas we have always believed do not seem to be lining up. It can be disorienting and confusing. These times can also lead to growth and development. One particular dynamic that can become quite challenging is when we find ourselves in a relationship with a non-believer. This may be the result of you becoming a believer during your marriage; perhaps you are dating someone who does not share your faith. Please join our discussion tonight as we share ideas as to how we can be an example for Christ as we deal with some of these challenges.

• What are the challenges of beginning in a relationship with a non-believer?
• How can one best deal with spiritually unmatched relationships when one becomes a Christian?
• How do you share your faith with someone close to you?
• What is a person to do if your partner is unwilling to accept your faith?
• How does one deal with family pressure of continuing in a spiritually unmatched relationships?
• How can differences in values be seen in the workplace?
• How can one share his/her own values with others, without showing disrespect toward their beliefs?

Optional Seeker-Friendly Discussion Guide: As we grow in our understanding of spiritual matters, we may find ourselves in relationship with others who do not share our faith or our values. Perhaps it is a marriage, a dating or workplace relationship, or a friendship; the challenges are real as you try to relate to those who think and live in ways contrary to what you hold dear. Please join our discussion tonight as we share ideas on “Uncomplicating Challenging Relationships.”

• What are the challenges of beginning in a relationship with one who shares differing values?
• How do mismatched value systems complicate a relationsip?
• Can a relationship like this work?
• What should a healthy relationship be based on?
• How does one build a firm foundation to live by in this world today?
• How can differences in values be seen in the workplace?
• How can one share his/her own values with others, without showing disrespect toward their beliefs?

***********************************************

Understanding Submission

Few topics stir more opinions and discussion among women than the topic of submission. Debates abound, yet submission has some very practical implications for our daily lives. Are women to submit, and if so, to whom? Is it all that important to submit? What are some danger areas of submitting or not submitting? We invite you to join our moderated discussion on “Understanding Submission.”

• What does the word submission mean to you?
• How was Christ submissive to His Father?
• The Bible talks a lot about submission, what does it say?
• Why do many people think that submission can mean playing a doormat to others?
• Is submission being a servant or surrendering ourselves to others?
• What qualities does it take to have Godly submission in our lives?
• How is one to be submissive to her husband if she is married?