Emotionally Safe People: Building Healthy Relationships

First Priority Club Module 9: Emotionally Safe People Module 9: Week 1 Module 9 Overview: In this module, we will talk about the importance of being an emotionally safe person who fosters healthy relationships, speaks truth in love, and sets boundaries rooted in biblical principles. This week, we will read and talk about Bible verses that help us understand what it means to be an emotionally safe person and how to apply these principles in our own lives. 1.In Galatians 5:22-23a, we read: God's Spirit causes us to live in a different way. We love other people. We are happy and we have peace in our minds. We are patient, kind and good. People can trust us to do what is right. We respect other people and we rule ourselves properly. Question: Who is God s Spirit and how does He help us to be patient, trustworthy, and respecters of other people? 2.In Proverbs 11:13, we read: No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy and Proverbs 6:16-19reads: There are seven things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that kill innocent people, a mind that thinks up wicked plans, feet that hurry off to do evil, a witness who tells one lie after another, and someone who stirs up trouble among friends. Question: According to these verses, how does an emotionally unsafe person act? 3. In Galatians 6:9, we read: We must not become tired or discouraged of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right or in due time if we do not give up. Question: Why is it easy to become discouraged from doing good and how does this verse encourage us when we do? Talk About It: Do you think our current culture encourages gossip and behaviors that stir up trouble? Why? Do you value people who are trustworthy, patient, and respectful of others? Why should we avoid those who gossip or stir up trouble? What are ways that we can show others that we are trustworthy? Action: This week, spend time in prayer with God and ask Him to help you be a safe person to others and to help you find friends who are also emotionally safe. Page 1 of 4

Module 9: Week 2 Last week, we talked about what it means to be an emotionally safe person and how to apply these principles in our own lives. This week, we will talk about the value of speaking truth in love and showing others God s love. 1. In Mathew 18:15, we read: If your brother or sister in God s family does something wrong, go and tell them what they did wrong. Do this when you are alone with them. If they listen to you, then you have helped them to be your brother or sister again. Question: What are we more likely to do if we don t go to the person directly? 2. Galatians 6:1reads: My friends, if you see that someone among you is doing a wrong thing, you must warn that person. Those of you who have help from God's Spirit should tell that person how to live in a good way. But you must be patient and respect him. Be very careful yourselves, so that you do not also want to do wrong things. Question: How are we to respond if a friend is making destructive decisions? 3. In 1 John 3:18, we are instructed to not show love for each other only by what we say. We should also show true love by the things that we do and Ephesians 4:32reads: Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. 4. Hebrews 3:13reads: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin s deceitfulness and 1 Thessalonians 5:11says: So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing. Question: How can we encourage others to grow in their faith and no harden their hearts to God and sin, and to grow in their faith? Let s Talk About it: What must we be careful of when talking to a friend who may be struggling with unhealthy decisions (hint: judgement)? How would we want others to approach us if we were struggling with unhealthy behavior? Why is respect such an important aspect of showing love to others? What have you learned new this week about speaking truth in love and showing God s love to others? Challenge: Before closing the group meeting, please read this prayer out loud to the group: Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing us the importance of speaking truth in love. Help us to approach others with humility, respect, and compassion, always seeking to restore and encourage them in their faith. May the Holy Spirit guide us in being kind-hearted, patient, and loving in our words and actions, reflecting your grace and truth to those around us. Page 2 of 4 In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Module 9: Week 3 This week we will talk about emotionally unsafe people and how to have healthy boundaries in response to their behaviors. 1. In 2 Timothy 3:2a, 3-4, we read: Remember this: There are some terrible times coming in the last days. People will love only themselves and money. They will have no love for others and will refuse to forgive anyone. They will talk about others to hurt them and will have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. People will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking and will be so proud of themselves. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. Question: According to these verses, what are the characteristics of emotionally unsafe people? 2. James 5: 12reads: When you mean yes, say only yes. When you mean no, say only no and Proverbs 26:4tells us: Don t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Question: How can saying no or not responding to a foolish argument be healthy boundaries? 3.Proverbs 4:23reads: Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts and Proverbs 22:5warns us: Evil people s lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps. People who guard themselves don t have such problems. Question: According to these verses, how should we guard our minds and hearts? 4.Deuteronomy 4:15a,16a,17a-19reads: So watch yourselves and be careful. Do not become sinful and make a false god for yourselves that looks like a body or object or like an animal on the earth, or a bird with wings that flies in the sky Be careful not to lift up your eyes toward heaven and see the sun and moon and stars, all the things of heaven, and be pulled away and worship them and serve them. Question: What are examples of modern day false gods and how can we draw a boundary to protect ourselves from serving them instead of God (example: fame)? Let s Talk About It: How can fame, wealth, and status become false gods? What are healthy spiritual boundaries for us to form? How can we protect our hearts and minds from destructive habits and choices? Action: Spend the rest of the meeting preparing for next week s meeting. Please make sure a student is prepared to share a testimony, the gospel and invitation, and students hand out the Response Cards (found on the First Priority website at firstprioritytampa.org under the students tab). Remember to invite your friends to next week s meeting. Page 3 of 4

Module 9: Week 4- INSPIRE WEEK Overview: This week, we will share ways that inspire us to move closer to God. 1. Ask a student leader to share a verse from this month s module that impacted them and why. 2. Ask a student leader to share a faith story of how or why they made a decision to trust Jesus as the only way back to God. 3. Ask a student leader to read the Pray About It below. 4. Pass out Response Cards AFTER the prayer [download @ www.firstprioritytampa.org/students] 5. Collect Response Cards- leaders should follow up with students who have questions or made a decision today to follow Christ. 6. Remember to invite friends to your youth group or church this week. Pray About It: We will now take a minute to talk to God through prayer. In the quiet of your heart and mind, you can share anything with Him. As I pray out loud, I invite anyone here who wants to begin a relationship with God through faith in Jesus, to agree in your heart and mind with what I am saying because God hears the private thoughts. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you with an open heart. I acknowledge my selfishness and how it has separated me from you. I believe that Jesus is the way back to you and want to place my trust in Him today. Help me to turn from doing things my way and release my life over to you. Thank you for promising to hear and answer my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen Page 4 of 4