Friendship Takes Proximity and Presence | May 28, 2023

Logan Holloman | NextGen Pastor

Read: 1 Corinthians 16:5-18 (NIV)

What is the biggest barrier for you to get over in making friends?

Friendship takes proximity and presence.

God models for us presence and proximity.

Paul’s people:
- Ephesians 6:21-22
- 1 Corinthians 16:5-18
- Romans 15:22-16:18
- Colossians 4:7-18
- Philemon 1:1-3, 22-24

How do you make a friend?
- Embrace the awkward
- Be courageous
- Root your identity + value in Jesus

“It’s scary to initiate but Jesus was the great initiator” -Jennie Allen

But nothing that exciting happened. They sang a few songs and then talked about the Bible for a while. At the end of the meeting, everyone paired off to pray for each other and the pastor asked me what I thought of the group. Then he asked if I would come back. I said I guess, but I wasn’t sure. That was seven years ago. Some of those strangers from the house that first night are now some of my closest friends. It didn’t happen overnight. It took me a long time to feel comfortable. I usually came after the life group had already started and left as soon as it was over. But I was seeing the same people every week and I was telling them about my problems and they were telling me about theirs. Do that for long enough and you become friends. You get to know enough people that way and life group goes from being an obligation to something you look forward to.
- Jonathan Tjarks

What’s the cost of not finding a few deep friendships?

Reflection Questions:
1) What is the biggest barrier, obstacle, or fear for you to get over in making friends?
2) Brian shared last week some numbers around our time and friendship. What are some possible things you might need to say “no” to in order to prioritize friendships?
3) Who are one or two people in your life that are already in your presence and proximity who has the potential to become a friend? What’s one step you can take this week towards that?

Next Steps:
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Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.05.28.pdf