Love Handles: I Don't Need Friends

REMINDER:  Communion is next week, so that means INVITE NIGHT for rGroups Dec 1st-6th.  Group leaders, check your inbox for an email from your pastor about rGroups for next week.



Summary:  Friendship not only helps us show people what Jesus was like, but it also helps us get other people to Him.  There are 4 things that we can learn from the friendship of David and Jonathan that illustrate what a godly friendship looks like today.

Godly friends...

1.  Are Willing to Sacrifice for Others.
Read 1 Samuel 18:1-4.  How did Jonathan sacrifice for David?  What was so significant about the items that Jonathan gave?

-In your friendships, do you give your best to others, or do you just give the leftovers?  Do you sacrifice for your friends, or are you the only person that you sacrifice for?

-Read Philippians 2:4.  What are tangible ways that you can look out for the interests of your friends?

-How does "sacrifice for others" gel with our cultures mindset of "looking out for yourself"?  How could an attitude of sacrifice open up doors to tell others about Jesus?


2.  Come to the Defense of Others.
Read 1 Samuel 19:1-5.  Instead of making himself look good and setting his own life up for success, what did Jonathan do for David?  When is the last time you've set your own agenda and priorities and desires aside for the sake of someone else?

-Read Proverbs 18:24.  Do you have friends in your life that are more like close brothers and sisters?  What did they do to obtain that level of deep friendship?


3.  Encourage Others
Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18.  Why is it a game changer in your life when a friend comes along and encourages you during a hard time?

-Read Romans 15:2.  Spiritually, why is encouragement from close friends so important in your walk with Jesus?  How many times would you have given up or turned around if it weren't for a close godly friend spurring you on?

-What were some difficult times in your life that were made easier by an encouraging friend?  Dealing with death and loss, a set back, bad report, hardship at work or in relationships, etc.


4.  Are Faithful
Read Romans 12:15.  A true, faithful friend is there for you during the ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad.  Are you a faithful friend?

-Read Proverbs 20:6. How many "friends" do you have in your life?  Now, how many "true" friends do you have?  The ones you can call on for help, encourage you, are always there for you, would give you anything you need?  These verses say your friends may be many, but the true friends are a lot more scarce.

-Read Proverbs 19:22a and 1 Corinthians 13:7.  Simple, basic love isn't enough for a true friendship.  What are the words used to describe a close, godly friendship in these verses?


So why is being a godly, true friend an important thing for you to do?
a.  It shows the world what Jesus was really like.
b.  It helps get other people into a relationship with Him when they realize what a great friend Jesus is for them.