Any relationship that we have with God will be determined by what we think of God and what we think God thinks of us.

Resources: Good and Beautiful God, James Bryan Smith. Abba’s Child, Brennan Manning

Relationships require communication. The quality of our relationship with God will be affected by the quality of our communication with God.

Resources: Hearing God, Dallas Willard

For two persons to be able to develop a relationship, there must be a way for them to be together, to share a space. God’s Kingdom provides this space.

Resources: Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard

A relationship with God depends on how well we “do” relationships in general. Community is the place where we develop this ability and capacity to participate in an authentic relationship with God.

Resources: Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Relationships are not fixed or static. As we grow and change, our relationship with God will also be different. It can be helpful to know and anticipate some of the typical ways that our relationship with God may change over time.

Resources: Critical Journey, Janet Hagberg. Mansions of the Heart, Tom Ashcroft.

To develop a healthy image of God, understand how He desires to participate in a relationship with us, and how He invites us to participate in the relationship with Him, we need guidelines. The Bible provides these guidelines.

Resources: Eat This Book, Eugene Peterson, Meeting with God in Scripture, Jan Johnson