IT'S COMPLICATED #3 | Friendships | June 12, 2022

IT'S COMPLICATED | Friendships | June 12, 2022

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

https://www.journeyweb.net/gather/

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

TIME:

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

TRANSPARENCY:

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

TRUTH:

Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. Proverbs 28:23 (NIV)

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:5-6 (NIV)

TENACITY: 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

A true friend ALWAYS lets you in, NEVER lets you down.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:12-15 (NIV)

Reflection Questions:

1) Who is your 2 AM phone call? Do you have people that you can call at any hour and they will be there for you?

2) What has been your greatest challenge when it comes to developing deep and lasting friendships with people? Explain.

3) Do you have a regular rhythm of getting time with others that follow Jesus? Why or why not?

4) How well do you speak truth and/or receive truth from your friends? What makes this challenging for you? How could you grow in this?

5) What prevents us from being totally transparent with our friends? What does lack of transparency cost us in friendships? What is the perceived “risk” of being transparent with our lives?

6) Why do we often fear and/or shy away from conflict in relationships? How can conflict handled well be a catalyst for deeper friendships? Share an example of this in your life.

7) What is your next step in building a meaningful relationship with someone in God’s family? Is there someone you feel nudged to move towards? Is there a relationship you should rekindle that has grown distant?

Next Steps: 

Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeyweb.net/connectcard

Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeyweb.net/give

Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2022.06.12.pdf