We live in a variety of communities, including family, church, ministry, life group, business and more. How we relate to one another will demonstrate whether we are living in ways that glorify God. One of our goals should be to interact with the people in our lives so they will be drawn to God, us and our communities. In this practical, biblical book you will discover how to: ** Cultivate strong communities that glorify God and draw people to Him and to your group--both believers and not-yet believers ** Deepen your personal knowledge of the Bible ** Grow in your relationship with God ** Learn how to live out God's Word in all your relationships ** Discover step-by-step, practical applications to enrich your life ** Develop effective communication expertise to deepen your connections ** Discern what others are communicating to you, both verbally and nonverbally ** Challenge your personal and community core beliefs ** Build rapport with others quickly, to enhance your interactions and communication ** Create receptivity to your ideas ** Establish a bond of trust resulting in long-term, meaningful associations ** Break free of your fears and the security of your comfort zone, pushing you beyond whatever hinders your relationships This is based on the book and subsequent workshops called Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills written by Ken and Gaylyn Williams, a father-daughter team. Gaylyn, as well as Ken and his wife Bobbie, served with Wycliffe Bible Translators. This book is divided into seven Keys to unlock relationships: 1. Lay the Foundation unlocks the connection between how God sees us and how we treat others. 2. STOP in the Name of Love! unlocks readers' potential by helping them stop sabotaging their relationships. 3. Listen Up unlocks understanding. 4. Unravel the Mystery unlocks intimacy in relationships. 5. Nurture Trust unlocks a healthy foundation for relationships 6. Cultivate Life unlocks the power of encouragement. 7. Overcome Obstacles solidifies the skills learned. Each Key examines a skill you can apply to relationships with anyone in your communities-family members, friends, colleagues and even acquaintances. As you complete the activities, your communication skills and knowledge of Scripture will be strengthened. Available as an online course or workshop for your ministry. www.RelationshipResources.org; www.RRcourses.com Here are some of the reviews of this material: "Gaylyn Williams wisely shares practical tools to build community by learning the skills to treat each other with dignity and love that is truly felt and understood. These biblically-grounded principles are destined to transform lives and ministries, unlocking new doors to spread the love of Jesus." Dr. Dick Eastman, International President, Every Home for Christ "We train people to preach so well that they can raise the dead, then they kill them again with their interpersonal skills. These materials give pastors and ministry leaders the practical skills they need to be effective in their ministries." Patrick Repp, Minnesota Renewal Center "There is no church, no pastor, no elder board, no ministry team and no Bible study group that would not profit immensely from this book. The tools given at the workshop using these materials are truly everyday tools. I use them in every relationship-from the casual acquaintance to the most intense counseling situation." Pastor Tim Westcott, Idyllwild Bible Church, Idyllwild, California "I really believe this material has His anointing and is the best training tool I've seen for our kind of people. I really believe in it." Duane, missionary in Thailand "I have three things to say about your material: 1) excellent 2) Excellent 3) EXCELLENT! It is definitely worth the price of the course!" Phil, missionary in Ecuador
About the Author: The author of thirty books, Gaylyn is best known for her practical, biblical approach to self-help. She addresses the struggles, disappointments and challenges that are common to all, honestly sharing from personal experience, including: abandonment as a child, deaths of her six-month-old son and her fiancé, sixteen years as a single mom raising two rambunctious sons and major betrayals by a close friend. Her titles include "The Surprising Joy of Exploring God's Heart," "Keys to Joy" and "All Stressed Up and Everywhere to Go!" She has been published by traditional and nontraditional publishers including Readers Digest, B&H Publishing Group, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Wycliffe Bible Translators, International Training Partners, Outskirts Press, Success Books, Standard Publishing and Joshua Morris Publishing. Raised as a missionary kid in Guatemala, Gaylyn went on to serve as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators for fifteen years and The Navigators for three years. Since 1999, she has directed a nonprofit international ministry called Relationship Resources. Gaylyn is the mother of two married sons. Today Gaylyn writes and speaks nationally and internationally. Dozens of radio and television programs have featured her. She taught as an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, and English Language Institute China. She has also served on many boards of directors. Readers and students alike agree: Gaylyn is passionate about encouraging and equipping people in their relationship with God, themselves and others. Her writing and speaking are practical and biblical, empowering people to grow spiritually, personally, relationally, and professionally. Gaylyn can be contacted at Gaylyn@RelationshipResources.org "Gaylyn Williams and her incredible life story and spirit inspire all those who are fortunate enough to hear her speak or read her story. Gaylyn's humble, but powerful, style is laced with humor, grace, heartache and joy, while her story embodies adventure, courage, triumph and tragedy. By creatively sharing the lessons she learned along the way, Gaylyn helps the rest of us see how we too can apply those lessons to ease our own burdens." -Kris Harty, Author and Speaker