Yearning for Healthy Conversation

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 23, 2021

Series Title: Understand,(be) Non-Dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn

Today’s Title: Yearning for Healthy Conversation

Today’s Text: John 3:1-15

 

Nicodemus (John 3)                  Samaritan (John 4)

Why was this a hard conversation?

Religious/Theological                                                                  Historical/Political

 

What were the obstacles to the conversation?

Reputation/Access                                                                                Social Norms

 

Who initiated the conversation?

Nicodemus                                                                                                           Jesus

 

With what tone did the conversation begin?

Respect                                                                                                            Request

 

What was the first response?

Engagement                                                                                                     Polarity

 

How was the conversation kept alive?

Nicodemus was teachable                                        Diverted to a common need

 

How did the conversation get to the heart?

Jesus focused on belief                                                  Jesus got to her real need

 

What was the result of the conversation?

belief put to action                                       “they urged him to stay with them”

John 7:50-51  & 19:38-42                                                                           John 4:40

 

Conversations that Heal

BEGIN: Who holds the authority?

What are the obstacles?

Make a plan to begin (but just begin)

 

PROCEED:  Acknowledge the surface problem, but don’t stay there

     Seek to get to the heart

Never condemn

If you both leave the conversation willing to speak again you have both “won”!