Friendship
Friendship
Build a life-giving community of Christlike love.
Ever feel alone in your walk with God?
One of the most unfortunate lies we tend to believe is that our faith is just between us and God. God didn’t design us to go about life on our own but to flourish in community. When Paul writes to the church in Galatia, he tells them that to carry one another’s burdens is to fulfill the law of Christ. Here are some practices to strengthen your friendships, develop a community that pushes one another toward Jesus, and help you become the kind of friend who loves others well.
Level 1: Novice
Read John 15 and notice how often Jesus says the word, “friend.” Choose one self-sacrificial act you could do for a friend this month.
Host a game night!
Surprise a friend with an act of kindness.
Make room in your life for laughter with friends. Watch a comedy special, or get together, and tell embarrassing stories!
Level 2: Apprentice
Spend time reading about some of the great friendships in scripture (Jonathan and David, Naomi and Ruth, Jesus, Mary and Martha).
Invite your closest friends to read through a book of the Bible together. One of the volumes of the Immerse Reading Bible may be a helpful place to start.
Take the initiative, and try to make a new friend at your workplace, local coffee shop, or church!
Start a weekly gathering with friends. Make dinner, have good conversation, and enjoy quality time!
Level 3: Master
Read Matthew 5:23-24. Consider if there’s anyone in your life for you to forgive, or be reconciled to, and seek reconciliation.
Decide with a friend to practice Spiritual Friendship for the month, meeting weekly to ask each other the questions at the end of the video above.
Think of someone in your life who may need a friend or mentor, and ask God to show you if you should meet this need.
Plan a trip (or staycation) with some of your close friends!