Week 1: A friend is someone who is patient and forgiving.
Week 2: A friend is someone who listens and cares.

A friend is someone who is

and

Reveal Answer

.

Key Verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Encouragement and edification are

to Christian friendships, promoting

Reveal Answer

Reveal Answer

and mutual support within the community of believers.

The Nature of Friendship

1. Friendship is a powerful force in

our lives for better or worse.

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

2. The encouragement and support of friends help us to

when life knocks us down.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

3. The encouragement and support of a true friend is

and

Reveal Answer

.

Proverbs 27:9 (NLT) 9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:
• David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 23:16-18)
• Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17)
• Saul/Paul and Barnabus (Acts 9:26-27; Acts 11:22-26)

Acts 9:26-27 (NLT) 26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

7 Things a Friend Should Not Expect from Another Friend: A Biblical Perspective

1. Unconditional

of wrongdoing and wrong living.

Friends should

correct and

Reveal Answer

each other towards righteousness.

Galatians 6:1 (NLT) 1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

James 5:19-20 (NLT) Restore Wandering Believers
19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

Proverbs 27:6 (NLT) 6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

2. Complete

dependence

Dependence should ultimately be

Reveal Answer

, not on a friend.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

3.

of moral or spiritual beliefs

A true friend

boundaries and

Reveal Answer

spiritual growth.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT) 33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

4. Constant

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

Friends should not expect constant availability, recognizing that everyone has

responsibilities and seasons in life.

5.

loyalty

Friends should not

blind loyalty that leads to unethical or harmful actions.

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

Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

6. Financial or material support without

Healthy boundaries ensure that

is not taken advantage of and that each person is encouraged to be responsible and diligent.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV) 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

7. Keeping

that lead to harm

Encouraging

and accountability fosters trust and healing.

James 5:16 (NLT) 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.