God said, "It is not good for man to be alone!" Genesis 2:18
TYPES OF FRIENDSHIPS
- Casual Friends can be the result of my circumstances
- But Close Friends should be the result of my choices
Fact: The closer I am to a person, the greater they influence my life.
So, I need to CHOOSE my closest friends wisely
"A righteous person is cautious in friendship, (because) the ways of evil people can lead them to do wrong." Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)
WHO NOT TO CHOOSE AS A CLOSE FRIEND
God says some people you should avoid: (a partial list)
1. People who like to argue
"Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them." Proverbs 20:3 (TEV)
2. People who gossip
"Stay away from gossips- they can't keep a secret and they tell everything." Proverbs 20:19 (CEV)
3. People who flatter others
"Flattery is a trap; evil people get caught in it, but good people avoid it and are free." Proverbs 29:5
4. People who can't control their temper
"Don't make friends with a hot-tempered person. Don't associate with anyone easily angered, or you'll learn to be like them and not able to change." Proverbs 22:24-25
5. People who steal or shoplift Proverbs 1:13-15
6. Believers who sin sexually 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR CORE FRIENDS
1. Choose friends who encourage me spiritually
"Encourage one another and build each other up." 1 Thessalonian 5:11
2. Choose friends who consistently support me emotionally
"A friend loves you ALL the time, like a brother born to help in trouble." Proverbs 17:17
3. Choose friends who challenge me to think
"If you keep company with wise friends, you'll become wise. But if you make friends with foolish people, your life will fall to pieces." Proverbs 13:20
FACTORS FOR FORMING FRIENDSHIPS
1. BE CHEERFUL: Greet people with a smile
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." Proverbs 15:30 (NLT)
"The Lord is pleased with friendly words." Proverbs 15:26 (TEV)
2. BE COMFORTABLE: Relax & be yourself
Jesus: "The second greatest command is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself!" Matthew 22:39 (NIV)
"We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes." 2 Corinthians 4:2 (Mes)
3. BE CONVERSATIONAL: By asking questions
"Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others and in what they are doing." Philippians 2:4 (LB)
4. BE CONSIDERATE: Listen well & empathize
"Let everyone be quick to listen and slow to speak . . ." James 1:19
"Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15
5. BE CONSISTENT: Stick with them in tough times
"There are 'friends' who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 (LB)
"A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty." Job 6:14 (NIV)
6. BE CONFIDENTIAL: Don't gossip about them
". . . a true friend will keep a secret." Proverbs 11:13 (CEV)
"No one who gossips can be trusted . . . but you can put your confidence in someone who is trustworthy." Proverbs 11:13 (TEV)
7. BE CANDID: Always tell them the truth
"An honest answer is a sign of true friendship." Proverbs 24:26 (TEV)
8. BE CHRISTLIKE: Love them unconditionally
"Accept each other, just as Christ accepted you." Romans 15:7
Action Plan: Spend time this week thinking about the state of your friendships. While doing this, reflect on how you are as a friend. Take these thoughts into your quiet time this week and talk with God about your friendships.
Action Plan: To start or join a small group, click here.
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship looks at what it means to abide in Jesus. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
