HOW TO FIND FRIENDS

The Cure for Loneliness: Part 1
September 3, 2023
Pastor Brian
 
“GOD said, “It’s not good for the Man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a companion.”” (Genesis 2:18, The Message)

Two Kinds of Friends
•

friends are the result of chance.
 
•

Reveal Answer

friends are the result of choice.
 
“The righteous choose their friends carefully…” (Proverbs 12:26, NIV)

“…Associating with bad people will ruin decent people.” (1 Corinthians 15:33, GW)

“Whoever walks with wise people will be wise but whoever associates with fools will suffer. ” (Proverbs 13:20, GW)
 

HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS
“A wise person wins friends.” (Proverbs 11:30b, NLT)
 1. Be more

Reveal Answer

than interesting.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:3–4, NLT)
 
2. Be more

than critical.

“Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing. ” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, GW)
 
3. Be more

than talkative.

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (Proverbs 18:13, NLT)

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19, NLT)
 
4. Be more

than pitiful.

“Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.” (Romans 12:10, The Message)

“All of you are plotting against me, and no one informed me when my son entered into a loyalty pledge with Jesse’s son. No one felt sorry for me and informed me that my son has encouraged my servant David…” ” (1 Samuel 22:8, GW)
 
5. Be more

than mopey.

*“A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13, NLT) *

“When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.” (Job 29:24, NLT)
 
6. Be more

than fault-finding.

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9, NLT)

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults.” (1 Peter 4:8, The Living Bible)
 
7. Be more

than apathetic.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, NIV84)

“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” (Proverbs 27:9b, The Message)
 
8. Be more

than fair-weathered.

“In trouble like this I need loyal friends— whether I’ve forsaken God or not.” (Job 6:14, GNB)

“Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.” (Proverbs 18:24, CEV)

“A true friend is always loyal.” (Proverbs 17:17a, The Living Bible)

“Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?” (Proverbs 20:6, NLT)
 
9. Be more

than prayed-for.

“….my eyes pour out tears to God. I want someone to plead with God for me, as one pleads for a friend.” (Job 16:20–21, GNB)

“Then, after Job had prayed for his three friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had had before.” (Job 42:10, GNB)

“Friends, please pray for us.” (1 Thessalonians 5:25, CEV)
 
10. Be more

than complaining.

“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:11, NLT)
 

BOTTOM LINE:

Reveal Answer

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ACTION STEPS
Friendship Reading Plan
HOST a group!