This is part 5 of our sermon series, "Relationships on Lock," at Fusion Christian Church. In this series, we discuss the importance of relationships and how to create and maintain healthy ones. Here, Pastor Zac teaches us five steps to connect better with other people, and all are focused on in-person relationship.

Put Down the Phone.

Too many of us are addicted to our phones. We allow them to keep us from personal connection and it is destroying our relationships. Put down the phone when you're with other people and pay attention to them.

Look at and Listen to People.

When you are interacting with others, look them in the eye and listen to what they say. As Christians, we should desire that others know we are genuinely interested in them and that we care about their lives. Maintain eye contact and listen to other people to demonstrate your care for them.

Speak Words of Life.

It is overwhelmingly easy to be negative, especially because we are surrounded by it all the time. Because of this, choose to speak positively to people so that you stand out and shine a light in this dark world. Choose to lift up others rather than bring them down. If we can do this it will stand as a strong testimony of the light of Christ.

Practice Hospitality.

When is the last time you invited people to your home? Hospitality was perhaps the foremost characteristic of the early church, and it should be one of our strongest attributes in the modern church as well. Being inviting and kind to others should never go out of style, and God has told us in his word that he desires his people to be hospitable.

Be Fast to Forgive.

Bitterness will kill your relationships faster than almost anything else. Remember that all people are broken, and so if you have a relationship with anyone, you are likely to be hurt at some point. Choosing to forgive rather than resent the one who has wronged you will preserve your relationships. Christians must be forgiving people, because God first forgave us.