OPEN WIDE YOUR HEARTS/CONFESS YOUR SINS TO ONE ANOTHER

Class #3, Transforming Friendships

Spring 2011 – Athens Church of Christ

class notes by Sam Laing

2 Cor. 6:11-13, 7:2, Philippians 1:7-8

1. Sharing your heart

• Means to let others know what is in our heart
• “we have spoken freely” – 2 Cor. 6:11
• We have to real with people to be close to them – to know and be known
• Jesus in the Garden Matt. 26:38
• Paul: 2 Cor. 2:1-4, 1 Thess. 2:8
• How does sharing your heart connect you with others?
• 2 Cor. 4:13-17/ Rom. 12:9
• What do we share? On what levels?

°         Facts

°         Opinions

°         Feelings

2. “Open Wide Your Heart”  (2 Cor. 6:11-13)

• Means to let someone in, to allow them a place in our heart, allow ourselves to care
• “We are not withholding our affection from you”
• “A fair exchange” – why does openness need to be a two way street?
• Need for vulnerability

3. “Make Room in Your hearts’ (2 Cor. 7:2)

• Opening our hearts to new people, new friends
• We cannot be equally close to everyone, but we can open our hearts to new people throughout our lives
• What does it mean to withhold affection from someone?

°         Guardedness

°         We don’t trust/we are protecting ourselves

°         We are selfish, don’t want to invest