God has destined you for great things. Studying the life of Jesus (talk about greatness!) leads to the discovery of how you can relate to those around you. Dionne Laborde explains in Learning from the Relationships of Jesus that those closest to you may not be supportive of the vital work that God has designed for you. Don’t let those around you stop you from fulfilling your God-given dream. Even if the religious leaders oppose your God-given task, stick to the plan. Never become haughty by thinking you “deserve” the blessings of God since you, as are all humans, are a sinner. It is the grace of God that saves you, and His grace that gives you tasks. Even though Jesus was incredibly busy, He took time to be alone with His Father in prayer. Prayer is of utmost importance to the Christian life. These are just some of the relationships that Dionne discusses in her book.

One lesson we can garner from the life of Christ is that what often seems like the worst thing that can happen turns out to be the best thing that can happen. Jesus spent His life showing compassion to those who were suffering. We also should show compassion and help those in need. As we emulate the life of Jesus, we learn how to relate to the people and world around us. As we develop our relationship with Jesus, our relationship with Satan should diminish. Relationships, including with the government and our employment, should follow the pattern set down by Jesus Christ. This is the premise of Dionne Laborde in Learning from the Relationships of Jesus. Dionne includes copious Scriptures to drive home her points. Overall, this book is scripturally sound and should encourage all who read it. You may not agree with all her theology, but following Jesus should be the desire of all Christians.

Learning from the Relationships of Jesus by Dionne Laborde shares impactful, enlightening relationship lessons from the life and teachings of Jesus. It examines the decisions he made regarding his relationships with others and how he treated other people. In the first chapter, the work draws lessons from Jesus’s relationships with his family and neighbors. It reflects on his teachings about those who he defined as his family. It also includes insight into friendships and how they can influence our life choices. The work discusses Jesus’s relationships with those he encountered during his earthly ministry including the religious and government leaders of his day, his friends, and those who were lost and suffering. From his special relationship with his Heavenly Father, we learn how we too can develop our relationship with God.

In her concise, life-changing book, Dionne Laborde explores a critical topic, deriving useful lessons from Jesus’s teachings and actions. I loved that the work is backed by biblical scriptures and that it challenged me to view the verses quoted in a new way. I appreciated that the lessons included - how to relate with family, friends, political leaders, and other people - can be applied in daily life. They are also invaluable and relevant for navigating current issues in society regarding relationships. I found the scriptures included at the end of the work to be inspiring and uplifting. Learning from the Relationships of Jesus by Dionne Laborde is a precise, powerful Bible-based work with practical lessons for learning how to relate successfully with others. Highly recommended.