Lost in Translation: Week 4 (CDA)
August 29, 2024

Friendship

SERIES OVERVIEW:
• Lost in Translation – A series discussing biblical words and concepts that have been redefined, misapplied or misunderstood.
• We believe the Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is infallible, inerrant, and absolute truth. It is the ultimate and final authority for Christian beliefs and living.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV) - 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

THIS WEEK: FRIENDSHIP
How does the Bible define FRIEND?
(h7453) rea’: an associate (more or less close):—brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbor.
• from: (h7462) ra’a: to pasture, tend, graze, feed. To tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to associate with (as a friend): companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.

(g5384) philos: friend, associate, companion, neighbor

WISE QUESTIONS ABOUT FRIENDSHIPS: FRIEND, ENEMY OR FRENEMY? WHAT/WHO IS BEING LOVED?

Proverbs 12:26 (NIV) – The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

• Friends are to be carefully considered
• Those who love wickedness lead astray
Proverbs 16:28 (NIV) – A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

• Those who love gossip separate close friendships – love to cause problems

Proverbs 17:9 (NIV) – Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

• Those who choose love forgive offenses
• Those who repeat offenses separate close friends - eye for an eye, or grace from love?
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

• Love is displayed in adversity – through it all or only when it’s good for me?

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

• Real friends are reliable – they are available, willing, supportive, can be trusted

Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIV) –24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

• Those who love anger love to share it

Proverbs 27:5-6; 9 (NIV)– 5Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses… 9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

• True friends rebuke openly… and it hurts
• Enemies tell you lies and puff you up
• True friends give heartfelt advice, even if it hurts – truth in love or love in lies?

John 15:12-15 (NIV) – 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I 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.

• Real friendship is found in sacrificial love as Jesus loved.
• Laying down the love of self for the love of others is the greatest love.
• Obedience to God is the best way to be the best friend – Jesus modeled this for us!
• Real friendship is founded in the Father’s business.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
• What stood out to you from this message? Why?
• What stood out to you from the biblical definitions of friendship?
• What is the most personally challenging part of this message? Share.
• How does God’s part, our part and other’s part play into this topic?
• What is one next step you can take from this message?

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