Relationships - How Do I Make Things Right_Damage

Relationships Are Hard. The Bible Has Something to Say.

Every one of us carries the weight of a difficult relationship. A friendship that broke. A family member we can’t seem to reach. A romantic relationship that confused us. Words said that can’t be taken back.

And when you’re new to the Christian faith, the questions get even bigger: How does following Jesus change the way I relate to the people around me? What does the Bible actually say about family, friendship, dating, marriage? And when things go wrong — how do I make them right?

Relationships: How Do I Make Things Right? by Sharon Dickens tackles all of this with warmth, honesty, and clear biblical grounding. This is Book 9 in the beloved First Steps series — a collection of plain-language discipleship workbooks designed for people who are brand new to the Christian life, especially those with no church background.

A Practical, Gospel-Centred Guide to Every Kind of Relationship

What makes this book stand out is its scope. Sharon Dickens doesn’t just talk about one type of relationship in vague, general terms. She walks through the full range of relationships that shape our daily lives:

Family — honouring parents, sibling dynamics, navigating difficult home situations
Neighbours and community — loving the people around us as Christ commands
Friendships — what healthy, Christ-centred friendship looks like
Dating and courtship — honest, biblical wisdom for those seeking a life partner
Marriage — the gospel-shaped design for the most intimate human relationship
And above all, Jesus — the relationship at the heart of everything

At every turn, Dickens roots her guidance in the Bible and in the grace of the gospel. This is not a self-help book with Christian language sprinkled in. It is a discipleship resource that helps new believers develop a truly biblical worldview of human relationships.

Meet Biddy — Your Guide Through the Book

One of the most beloved features of this book is Biddy — an example character who appears in every chapter, illustrating the principles being taught through real, relatable scenarios. Biddy’s story brings the biblical teaching to life in a way that abstract principles alone never could. Readers who are new to faith — particularly those from unchurched backgrounds — have found this device enormously helpful for seeing how the gospel actually plays out in the messiness of everyday relationships.

What the Book Covers — Key Themes

The biblical foundation of all relationships — why how we relate to others matters to God
Family relationships — God’s design and how to honour it even in imperfect families
Friendships — what they should look like for a follower of Jesus
Neighbours and community — the call to love those around us
Dating and romantic relationships — clear, biblical, and honest guidance
Marriage — the gospel picture at the heart of the most intimate relationship
Conflict and forgiveness — how to make things right when relationships break down
Jesus as the model and source of all right relationship

What Readers Will Learn

How the gospel transforms every type of human relationship
What the Bible actually teaches about family, friendship, dating, and marriage
How to navigate conflict and pursue reconciliation in a Christ-honouring way
Why relationships are not just personal matters but expressions of our faith
Practical, illustrated applications of biblical truth for everyday relationship challenges
How to develop a genuinely biblical worldview on love, commitment, and community
How to use this book for personal devotion, mentoring, or small group discussion

Who Should Read This Book

New believers wanting to understand what the Bible says about relationships
Christians from unchurched backgrounds with no framework for biblical relationships
Young adults navigating dating, friendships, and family dynamics for the first time as Christians
Mentors, disciplers, and church workers looking for a trusted one-to-one resource
Couples in pre-marriage conversations wanting a gospel foundation
Youth and young adults ministry leaders seeking accessible discipleship material
Churches in India and worldwide running new members or new believers courses

What Readers and Leaders Are Saying

“Dickens writes in an easy-to-read, conversational style that presents biblical truth in a highly applicable manner. Developing a biblical worldview concerning our relationships is a must for all of us, especially those who are new to the faith.” — John C. Kwasny, Director of Discipleship Ministries, Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church

“At the heart of the book is Jesus, the most important relationship of all. The language is straightforward and easy to understand for people who have recently come to faith, especially if they don’t have a church background and vocabulary.” — Graham Nicholls, Director, Affinity, Cambridge, UK

About the Author — Sharon Dickens

Sharon Dickens is a Christian author with a heart for reaching people who are new to faith, particularly those from unchurched and marginalised backgrounds. Her writing is known for its warmth, clarity, and practical gospel application — bringing biblical truth to bear on the everyday realities of life. She is a contributor to the First Steps series, which was developed in partnership with 9Marks Urban and published by Christian Focus Publications.

About the First Steps Series

The First Steps series is a collection of ten short workbooks designed for people who are brand new to the Christian life, written using plain, accessible language with no assumed church background. Each book can be worked through alone, with a mentor or friend, or in a small group setting. Titles in the series include: