Online Sermons
Lesson #2 - Effective Communication
Series: Home-BuildersLESSON #2 – EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION
“At most of my live marriage seminars, I ask several hundred couples to name one thing they believe would improve their marriage
above everything else. Without exception, In more than twenty years and from more that three hundred thousand people, the
answer has come through loud and clear: ‘we need better communication!’. “ / Gary Smalley in, Making Love Last Forever, p.141.
THE LIFEBLOOD OF A MARRIAGE
“Communication is to love what blood is to the body. When communication stops, love begins to die.” / Paul Faulkner
Ann Landers agrees: “The most important single ingredient in a marriage is the ability to communicate.”
Good communication skills are vital. Unresolved disagreements often evolve into violent arguments.
Ongoing argumentation becomes a relationship roadblock which, when uncorrected, results in despair and even divorce.
Learning to communicate well is critical to enjoying true “oneness” in marriage. cf. Gen.2:24; Mk.10:8-9 & Eph.5:31
WHO’S BETTER AT COMMUNICATING?
Typically speaking, who tends to be the weak link in the chain of communication - - husbands or wives?
Why is this? Would it be safe to say that a key to good communication is good listening? cf. Js.1:19
How can we improve our listening skills so as to enhance the quality of our communication?
~ A good starting place is to practice what Smalley describes as, “Drive-Through Talking”.
~ Prov.18:21a / Death and life are in the power of the tongue…
HOW TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The following recommendations are offered by Paul Faulkner in, Whatever Happened To Mom Dad & The Kids?, pgs, 88-98.
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1. Be Knowledgeable. / 1Pet.3:7
2. Be Loving. / 1Cor.13:4-8
3. Be Transparent. / Eph.4:15
4. Be Trustworthy / Prov.18:24b
5. Be Positive. / 1Cor.14:26b
6. Be Sensitive. / Eph.4:2 & Col.3:13
7. Be An Effective Communicator. / Eph.4:29
8. Be An Active Listener. / Prov.18:13 & 29:20
9. Be Concise. / Prov.10:19
10. Be Prayerful. / 1Thess.5:17 / “It takes a duet to make a trio.”
11. Be Decisive. / Ecc.9:10 / You must make time (to talk).
BARRIERS TO GOOD COMMUNICATION
1.Materialism / Putting things before people.
2. Critical Attitudes /Mt.7:1-5 – do not judge lest you be judged…
3. Fear / Eph.5:21 / Mutual submission requires openness and dialogue.
4. Manipulation / Both nagging and strong-arming breeds resentment.
5. Preoccupation / Lk.10:40-42 /The tyranny of the urgent!
6. Dullness / “The only difference between a rut and a grave is the dimensions.”
7. Alcohol & Drugs / Prov.23:31-33
8. Mental Health / Gal.6:2
9. Dishonesty / Eph.4:25
P.S. – Are you brave enough to take the quiz on the flipside?
