UNLESS a Man finds a Woman

Relationships

Before we are men, husbands or fathers…

We are SONS

What does it mean to be a son (of a father)?

What does Jesus say about His relationship with the Father?

Fruitfulness

Love

Truth

What are we called to as men?

To till the garden

To keep the garden

To be true to the covenant with God

The Garden – a relationship inventory

Family of origin: Father, Mother, siblings

Current “Family”: Wife/partner, children, niblings, grand-children

Faith: God (Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit), Journeymen, Church/Parish

Workplace: Boss, colleagues, minions

Social.

I exist in a web of relationships - links to nature, people, God.

I trace out these links, giving thanks for the life that flows through them.

Some links are twisted or broken: I may feel regret, anger, disappointment.

I pray for the gift of acceptance and forgiveness.

The Garden – a relationship inventory

How important is the relationship to me (0=totally unimportant, 10=essential to my life)

How would I rate the relationship (0=totally broken, 10=perfect)

How much time do I spend in that relationship (face to face, phoning, emailing)?

How much time to do I spend working on that relationship?.

Till the garden

Five Love Languages (Gary Chapman)

Words of Affirmation

Quality Time

Gifts

Acts of Service

Physical Touch

Till the garden – marriage

1. Create a habit of reunion every day

2. Set aside two minutes of undistracted communication every day

3. Practice an appreciation ritual every day

Till the garden – teenage and adult children

Silent assent is not enough

You are my beloved son/daughter

You have what it takes

You are beautiful

Till the garden – teenage and adult children

What do you want for your children?

Don’t judge before 30

Letting go of your authority

Share a common interest

Trust

Barriers to good relationships

Building Trust

Building Trust – The 13 Behaviours

1. Talk straight2. Demonstrate respect3. Create transparency4. Right wrongs5. Show loyalty6. Deliver results7. Get better

8. Confront reality9. Clarify expectations10.Practice accountability11.Listen first12.Keep commitments13.Extend trust

Be true to the covenant with God

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”