2025-06-29 – Elder Andrew Dunning – “Reflecting Christ in our Relationships”

Class Video is below the study notes.

Summary

Elder Andrew Dunning centers on the theme of “Reflecting Christ in Our Relationships,” exploring how Christians can embody Christ-like qualities in their interactions with others. Relationships are inherently complex and multifaceted, but when grounded in Christ, they gain deeper meaning and purpose. Andrew draws heavily on Scripture—from Genesis and the teachings of Jesus to Pauline epistles—to emphasize that human beings are created for connection and that loving one another as Christ loved is a fundamental commandment. The foundation of any relationship should be Jesus Christ, who provides an unshakeable rock of stability and unconditional love.

Andrew stresses the importance of intentionality and planning in relationships, advocating for a proactive approach rather than letting feelings or circumstances dictate relational dynamics. Key qualities in relationships include respect, honor, communication, pursuit, and commitment, all undergirded by humility, patience, compassion, forgiveness, dignity, and sacrifice, modeled perfectly by Jesus. The class discussion highlights the transformative power of Christ in healing broken relationships and the necessity of speaking the truth in love—not merely truth or love alone. Participants share personal testimonies illustrating the difference Christ makes when central to relationships. Andrew concludes with a poignant reminder from C.S. Lewis about the risks and rewards of love, urging believers to embrace vulnerability and love unconditionally, just as God has done for humanity.

Highlights

1. Relationships should reflect Christ’s love and character to truly thrive.
2. Jesus commands us to love one another as He loved us—this is the defining mark of discipleship.
3. Building relationships on Christ, the unmovable rock, provides stability amid life’s challenges.
4. Intentional planning and active participation are essential for healthy, lasting relationships.
5. Key relational virtues include respect, honor, communication, pursuit, and commitment.
6. Jesus exemplified servant leadership, unconditional love, patience, humility, and forgiveness.
7. Transformation through Christ enables healing in broken relationships and fosters spiritual growth.

Key Insights

1. Christ as the Foundation of Relationships: The lesson underscores that Jesus Christ must be the cornerstone of every relationship. Without Him, relationships become unstable, subject to the shifting sands of emotions and circumstances. Matthew 7’s parable of the wise man building his house on the rock illustrates that Christ’s unchanging nature offers a firm foundation. This insight calls believers to evaluate the basis of their relationships and to realign them with Christ’s teachings.
2. The Danger of Building on Feelings or Circumstances: Relying solely on feelings or situational factors can lead to relational instability and heartbreak. The class discussion reveals that while emotions are natural, they are fleeting and often misleading. By contrast, relationships anchored in Christ’s love transcend temporary highs and lows, offering a deeper resilience. This insight encourages intentionality and spiritual discernment in relational decision-making.
3. The Importance of Respect and Honor: A key highlight from the class is that respect is foundational to love. Surveys show men often prioritize respect as a prerequisite for feeling loved, while women emphasize love itself. However, the deeper truth is that love and respect are intertwined; without respect, love cannot flourish. This insight calls for a mutual honoring of dignity within all relationships, recognizing the inherent worth of others as God’s creation.
4. Intentionality and Planning in Relationships: Relationships require active nurturing and a clear plan to avoid “relational ruin.” Drawing from Gary Smalley’s book Love is a Decision, Andrew stresses that relationships—whether familial, romantic, or professional—need deliberate strategies to navigate challenges and deepen intimacy. This insight challenges the common misconception that relationships can thrive on chance or luck, instead advocating for proactive growth and maintenance.
5. Jesus’ Model of Servanthood and Unconditional Love: Jesus’ life exemplifies servant leadership—He washed His disciples’ feet, loved sinners unconditionally, and sacrificed Himself for humanity. These actions redefine power and greatness in relationships as humility, service, and selfless love. The personal testimony of working as a hospital tech reinforced this by illustrating how embracing the “lowest” roles mirrors Christ’s example. This insight invites believers to adopt servant-hearted attitudes in their relationships.
6. Speaking the Truth in Love: Andrew teaches that effective relationships balance truth and love. Jesus did not shy away from correcting or challenging others, but He always spoke with grace and compassion. This delicate balance is essential to foster growth without causing harm or offense. The insight here is that relational communication must be rooted in love to bear fruit, highlighting the importance of both honesty and empathy.
7. Transformation Through Christ’s New Heart: A profound theological insight comes from the idea of a “heart transplant” offered by Christ—giving believers a new heart and spirit that empower them to live out God’s commands. This spiritual renewal enables individuals to overcome sin, anger, and relational failures. The contrast between the rich young ruler who rejected Christ’s call and the adulterous woman who embraced it illustrates the life-changing power of relationship with Jesus. This insight emphasizes that authentic transformation is only possible through surrender to Christ.
8. Healing Broken Relationships: Andrew tackles the reality of fractured relationships even within Christian communities, encouraging believers to seek reconciliation through Christ’s love and forgiveness. It highlights practical ways to mend relational rifts by embodying Christ’s patience, humility, and grace. This insight is a call to action for believers to be agents of healing and unity, reflecting God’s heart for restoration.
9. The Cost and Reward of Vulnerable Love: Ending with a quote from C.S. Lewis, Andrew recognizes that love is inherently risky and exposes one to potential pain. However, the alternative—emotional safety at the cost of isolation and bitterness—is far worse. God’s willingness to love us despite the risk challenges believers to reciprocate that love courageously. This insight encourages believers to embrace vulnerability as a pathway to deeper connection and spiritual fulfillment.
10. Daily Spiritual Discipline as Relationship Foundation: A class member’s testimony about starting the day with prayer and Scripture study reveals how spiritual disciplines set the tone for healthier relational dynamics throughout the day. This practical insight affirms that personal intimacy with God undergirds the ability to love others effectively, reinforcing the core message that relationship with Christ is the root of all other relationships.

Conclusion

In this class, Andrew offers a comprehensive, biblically grounded framework for understanding and cultivating Christ-centered relationships. He combines theological depth with practical application and personal testimony, inviting the congregation to reflect on their own lives and to actively pursue relationships that mirror the love, humility, and truth exemplified by Jesus Christ.

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