1. Be Present

2. The first gift of God to humanity was the gift of relationship.

3. Relationally healthy people know how to share their lives with others, especially those outside their circles.

4. In order for us to do life together, we have to learn to be appropriately open and honest with one another about our life and our journey.

5. BE PRESENT

6. Listen WELL My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (James 1:19)

7. LISTENING IS A CHOICE

8. JESUS LISTENED TO THOSE AROUND HIM

9. BEING PRESENT INSTILLS DIGNITY AND VALUE

10. MODEL LISTENING

11. 1.Letting the other person talk more than you. 2.Include them in the conversation. 3.Ask open ended questions 4.Be comfortable with SILENCE 5.Repeat back what you have heard

12. 6.Do not tell them your story 7.Let their response be enough 8.Listen to what has not been said 9.Suspend Judgment 10.Don’t change the subject 11.Know when to change the subject

13. Psalm 116:1-2 1 I love the L ORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 2 Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!