Friending

The Foundation Of Friendship

!

Show Me Your Friends And I’ll Show You Your Future

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Prov 13:20 √ Any success I have is the result of God using right friends to influence me. √ Almost every time I got into trouble it’s because I was with the wrong friends.

!

List Your Closest Friends… (Outside of your family. Imaginary friends don’t count) 1) ___________________ 4) _____________________ 2) ___________________ 5) _____________________ 3) ___________________

! Like it or not, we become like those we run with. !

Friendship Defined… √ A friend is someone you may or may not know well who accepts your friend request. This person is born to like and comment on your posts to make you feel good about yourself. - Facebook √ “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 √ Why Are Friendships Declining? a. Increased Work Hours b. Rising Divorce Rates c. Explosion Of Social Media Rediscovering The Lost Art Of Friendship 1. Be Present

!

√ Friends are developed face to face - not thumbs to thumbs. √ Jesus said “follow me.” In other words, “Be present.” 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT √ There is power in presence.

2. Get Open √ We impress people with our strengths, but we connect with people through our weaknesses. 16 √ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 NLT

!

3 What Kind Of Friend Will I Be? √ 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 √ 5 An open rebuke is better than hidden love! 6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27:5-6 NLT

!

Central Thought - Every Friendship Ends Up Somewhere, Few Friendships End Up Somewhere On Purpose.

!

John 13:34 Romans 12:10 Romans 5:7 Romans 15:14 Galatians 5:13 Ephesians 4:2 Ephesians 4:32

Love one another. Be devoted to one another. Accept one another just as Christ accepted you. Instruct one another. Serve one another in love. Bear with one another in love. Forgive one another, just as Christ forgave you.