Sunday Sermon | Weekday Workout: Relationship - Connectedness

Day 1 – The Direction of Relationship

Scripture: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” — Amos 3:3

Let’s be honest: a lot of us are just trying to survive the day, not planning how to love well. We wake up, rush through our routines, and by the time we sit down at night we’re too exhausted to ask, “Where is all of this heading?”

But that question matters.
What do you want your marriage to look like?
What kind of relationship do you hope to have with your kids?
What kind of legacy are you shaping without even realizing it?

Sometimes we don’t ask because we’re afraid the answers might hurt. Maybe your marriage feels stuck. Maybe you’re not connecting with your kids the way you hoped. But here’s the good news: God’s never vague about His direction. He has a plan. His plan is always about reconciliation and restoration. Relationship.

Jesus didn’t come to check a box or run a program. He came to walk with us, talk with us, and call us friends (John 15:15). He came while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He didn’t wait for us to figure it out. He met us on the road—and walked with us until we changed direction.

You may not know every step forward today. But you can choose to walk in agreement with Him. That’s where healthy, holy relationships begin.

Workout for the Soul:

  • What’s one relationship in your life that feels like it’s going nowhere? Write down where you’d like it to be six months from now.
  • Ask God, “Is this where You want me going?” Let Him shape the direction.
  • Start walking with Him in that relationship—even if the other person isn’t walking with you yet.

Day 2 – Relate-tionship: You Go First

Scripture: “As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” — Romans 12:18

There’s a word hiding inside “relationship.” It’s the word relate. That’s where the work is. It’s not about how others treat you—it’s about how you treat them. You can’t control their reactions, but you are responsible for your actions.

It’s easy to get stuck waiting. Waiting for an apology. Waiting for the other person to see what they did wrong. Waiting to feel like being kind. But love doesn’t wait—it moves. Grace steps in. Mercy goes first.

That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t wait for us to make the first move. While we were still sinners, He died for us. He didn’t just say, “I love you,”—He proved it.

So what does that look like in your home? Your marriage? With your kids? In church?

It means texting first. Apologizing first. Speaking truth in love first. Not because they deserve it—but because Christ loved you when you didn’t deserve it either.

Workout for the Soul:

  • Where are you holding back love or truth, waiting for someone else to make the first move?
  • Pray for courage to “go first” the way Jesus did.
  • Take one action today that opens the door to peace—even if it feels one-sided.

Day 3 – Honest Love: The End of Small Lies

Scripture: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.” — 1 Peter 2:22

Jesus wasn’t just sinless. He was honest. Fully, consistently, gently honest. No deceit was found in Him—not with enemies, not with friends, and not under pressure.

That kind of truthfulness is rare. Especially in parenting. We’re tempted to bend the truth just to get through the moment.

“We’re leaving in five minutes…” (and we don’t).
“The toy store’s closed today…” (when it’s not).
“If you don’t behave, the police will come…” (they won’t).

It feels harmless—until it’s not. Kids believe us. And they learn from us. If we lie, even in little ways, we model dishonesty as normal. And worse? We chip away at trust. And once trust is gone, influence goes with it.

The truth is, when our kids can’t trust our words, they may also start to doubt our words about God. If we misrepresent Him—even accidentally—we risk losing their hearts.

Workout for the Soul:

  • Ask God to reveal any “small lies” you’ve justified for the sake of ease or control.
  • Commit to speak plainly—even when it’s uncomfortable.
  • Let your words reflect God’s heart: faithful, truthful, and trustworthy.

Day 4 – Honest Parenting Means Owning It

Scripture: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” — James 5:16

Here’s a parenting truth we don’t talk about enough: your kids don’t need you to be perfect. But they desperately need you to be honest.

When we blow it—and we all do—it’s not the failure that breaks trust. It’s the refusal to own it.

Maybe you snapped out of anger.
Maybe you assumed the worst.
Maybe you disciplined unfairly or harshly.

It happens. But then what?

Jesus invites us to confess—not just to Him, but sometimes to one another. Yes, even to our kids. “I was wrong. Will you forgive me?” That sentence may be one of the holiest things a parent can say.

Owning your faults does not weaken your authority. It models grace. It teaches humility. It opens the door for healing.

Workout for the Soul:

  • Think back on a moment with your child (or spouse, or friend) where you were in the wrong and never said so.
  • If possible, go to them today. Apologize sincerely. Ask for grace.
  • Your words may not erase the past—but they will soften the future.

Day 5 – Let Your Word Mean Something

Scripture: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” — Matthew 5:37

One of the most powerful things you can give someone is a word they can trust.

When Jesus spoke about integrity, He didn’t need a long contract or a signature. He said this: “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no.’” In other words—say what you mean, and follow through.

But in the real world of parenting or marriage or friendships, that’s not always easy. Life gets chaotic. Promises get postponed. We offer vague threats we don’t intend to keep. But here’s the deal:

Your word teaches people something about God’s Word.

If you don’t follow through, your child learns that words don’t mean much. If you exaggerate or manipulate, your spouse may learn that love is conditional. But when your “yes” means yes, you reflect the faithfulness of a God who never goes back on His Word.

That’s no small thing.

Workout for the Soul:

  • Think of one promise or commitment you’ve made recently—big or small.
  • Keep it. Follow through. Let your word carry weight again.
  • Teach your children why this matters: “God is always truthful. I want to be like Him.”