Healing of Relationships

Read It:

1 Peter 3:7-9

7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 2:21-25

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Meditate On It

1. Scan through the context of the chapter in 1 Peter 3. How does the Apostle Peter characterize husband and wife relationships? What is the role of the husband? What is the role of the wife?
2. Based on the passage, what are the possible reasons why prayers can be hindered?
3. List down the ways we can cultivate better relationships within our family and other relationships.
4. Read 1 Peter 2:21-25. According to this passage, what example of Jesus can we follow when others revile us?

Apply It

God has a heart for marriages and family. He desires harmony, peace, and order at home. This can be seen in how the Lord created the structure for husband and wife to be fellow partakers of the grace of life: the husband leading and caring for his wife and the wife submitting and honoring her husband. This kind of partnership and mutual love brings about marital restoration and results in prayers being unhindered! God also delights in communal harmony when His people treat one another properly in all humility. This is the sort of relationship that abounds in God’s blessings!

1. For the married: How can I treat my spouse in a godly manner?
   For the singles: How can I ensure that my current relationships are Christ-centered?
2. What can I specifically cultivate in my character when it comes to harmony and restoration of relationships?(Let the Lord impress upon your heart and mind which area I need to grow in: being harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, humble in spirit, non-retaliating, eagerness to bless)
3. Is there anyone in your family that God is asking you to reach out to? Take time to pray for that person so that God may pave the way for you to be reunited, reconciled, and restored with them.

By faith, I will pray for an opportunity to engage with… (mention each person by name)

This coming week, I will text or call this person and let them know that I care for them…Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, Time-bound (SMART) commitments

Example: “I will engage with my child or parent/relative or friend by spending quality time with them, doing their favorite bonding activity next weekend

Pray It

• Ask God to use you as a channel of His love to your relatives and family members
• To be a more Christ-like family member, spouse, parent, child, etc.
• To shepherd our families and our homes in the ways of the Lord
• To be filled with the Holy Spirit to exhibit the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
• To glorify and praise God in all things, even the often-challenging relationships in our families
• Let us confess our tendency to take our families for granted, to ignore conflicts or relational tensions, as well as our unforgiveness towards those who have hurt us, especially in our families
• Be intentional this week by reaching out and praying with a family member, relative, or friend whom you need to reconcile with
• Take the opportunity to pray with your family and loved ones: encourage one another and appreciate each other’s good qualities and actions
• Take time to ask one another: “How can I improve?” and then pray for each other