By: Ralph Ennis, Judy Gomoll, Rebecca Goldstone, Dennis Stokes, Christine Weddle
$10.99 Nav Press
As part of the Nav Press blogger program I was sent a copy of Relationships: Bringing Jesus into My World to review. This book is just one in the Connect Bible study series. As the Nav Press website states: The Connect series invites you to have your whole person changed from the inside--to become more and more like Jesus over a lifetime.
Wow. This book is not light reading. It's not fluff. It gets deep to the root of just about every relationship issue you can imagine. Like I said, it's part of the Connect Bible study series and it truly takes you right into the Bible and tells it like it is, pulling no punches as it relates to well, relationships.
This book can be used by an individual, but my recommendation would be to use it in a small group. If you don't have a small group situation, maybe you could invite a few friends over for Bible study. It might get intense, but you may well be better for it. (You will want to make sure that what happens in the study, stays in the study. It's always wise to refrain from sharing anything too personal unless you don't mind what you share being repeated or you can absolutely trust those you share with.)
Each chapter tackles a different topic. For example the first three chapters are entitled: Receiving Love to Give Love, Loving Others in Community, and Restoring Broken Relationships. Just the first chapter alone gave me enough meat to chew on to last me weeks!
The Chapters are broken down into several different sections:
A Short Story (real life example)
Pause 1: Exploring What God Says (what the Bible has to say)
Pause 2: Exploring Your Reality (seeing yourself from God's perspective.
Pause 3: Coming Alive to God and Others (examining biblical principles)
Pause 4: Journeying Forward (processing and writing out what you've learned)
Digging Deaper (a place to recap your experiences)
I was at a bit of a disadvantage as I was not reading this book as a study, but as a review product. I read every page, and I had to keep myself from doing too much soul-searching as I needed to read the whole book in a relatively short period of time. I did take some extra time to really dig into the first chapter as I used it in my daily devotions. I found myself stopping to ponder in several other areas as well.
I did enjoy what I read. Well, I guess enjoy would not be the word. It would be better to say I was challenged, yet encouraged. It is good to know that there are books out there still that expect us to actually relate to people as Christ would have us. Even in the church I hear so many excuses for wrong behavior. I see so much wrong behavior. (I engage in so much wrong behavior!)
Personally, I think this book would work best in a small group as the members could study the chapters, then support one another as they work through these difficult topics. Still, I can see where someone who is really struggling or introverted might find it better to go through alone. Either way, I do recommend this book for anyone who wants to relate to others in a Christlike manner. 
This series also includes:
