Multiplying Your LifePrøve

### Description We have all heard people say, and maybe we have even said it ourselves, “It’s lonely at the top.” This is often true. But God didn’t create us to be loners. He created us for relationships and these relationships are sometimes challenging. Many leaders have seen great success in their professional life, but their families are in deep trouble. Part of being a devoted follower of Jesus means taking our marriages, parenting, friendships and other relationships and giving them to God. What does that mean? Good question. ### Leading and My Relationships What sounds more risky to you, being alone or being known? In His wisdom, God declared a significant commitment to relationships. The awesome attributes of God - His holiness, wisdom, and power that hold together everything in the universe, make it clear that He doesn’t need anything or anyone. This makes His commitment to relationships even more amazing. In the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’s perfect relationship within the Godhead, He chose to draw us in to relate deeply with Himself. Having been created in His image, He wants us to thrive in relationship with Him. As leaders, we cannot put our messy relationships in a box and close the lid. God has not given us that option. If our relationship with Him is healthy and thriving, it will reflect in all of our relationships with people. As we see in the imperfect relationships and families in the Bible, God can accomplish His purposes through men and women like us. Paul gave the Ephesian believers some ‘guidelines’ for healthy relationships. What guidelines does Ephesians 5:15-6:9 identify for healthy relationships with people in our lives? Think of the health of your relationships on a 1-10 scale (10 being the healthiest): Spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, child, parent, sibling, co- worker, employee, affinity group member, fellow church member, neighbor, other friends or family. What are some of the ways being a leader has affected these relationships? Think of what attitudes a believer should have in relationships. In community, you are not alone, we really are responsible for one another.