Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
If you want to make friends, then you must first be friendly to others.
The definition of friend and friendly in Hebrew means to be an associate, companion, and keep company with the intent of making their life better.
We find in the scripture that wealth makes friends. Wealth means not only money but also being ready with ability, substance, and help from a pure heart.
To be friendly, we need grace in our speech and on our lips.
The well-known scripture “Give, and it shall be given” also applies to making friends. The words, gifts, and help will return to you with the same measure you give.
We also talked about what kind of ground you are giving to, or in other words, what kind of people you are trying to be friends with. Has it only become a one-sided relationship?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Why do you need to make friends outside of your family?
2. Have you experienced one-sided friendships?
3. How has this message helped you to make new friends?
4. What was your “aha” moment in the message?
Looking Forward to Our Discussion
In His Service, Bishop Bill
Why do you need to make friends outside of your family?
There are real souls that miss out on true friendship, or are left behind in the dust, just because people are not able to see the needs and values beyond their own blood relatives. If our goal in life is to work hard at "staying together" (which is what most families focus on) we overlook and miss the value that God has in others outside of the family. And the value and gifts that God has given us end up hidden from the rest of the world, as if we are just hoarding it for ourselves. The wisdom from the proverb that says a true friend sticks closer…
Why do you need to make friends outside of your family?
For me, there are a lot of amazing people outside my family. I would of limited myself growing up if I only stuck with family. Through my important years, the ones that define who you are, I had friends that pushed me to have a relationship with God. That is what I look for, what is their goal, to see my relationship with God grow or to satisfy their own selfish desires. From what I've experienced, my friends are closer than family. When life happens, they have been the ones that have been there.
2. Have you experienced one-sided friendships?
OH YES!!!! Those types of relationships are exhausting,…
Why do you need to make friends outside of your family? You can pick your friends you can't pick your family. Friends' outside of your family are people that I can interact with where there's no obligation attached to. Family members sometimes think that I need to do things out of obligation to them.
Have you experienced one-sided friendships? yes, I was reminded of a house that I owned that had a shared driveway, the first winter I plowed out the entire driveway. Never was there a thank you or anything from the neighbor. The second winter I just plowed my side of the driveway.
How has this message helped you to make new friends? It has showed…
Why do you need to make friends outside of your family?
-family doesn't like to see you change ... especially if they don't know God (at this time) or want Him. So this can cause you to be stuck or even fall back and then there is no growth for either of you 😐
Have you experienced one-sided friendships?
-yes
How has this message helped you to make new friends? And What was your “aha”
---By seeing the word friend a little differently---
-a friend loves especially Now and When!
- - - A friend is always ready to serve
-what are you giving with your mouth? - - - are you words from a pure heart?
-to look/pay attention…
Why do you need to make friends outside of your family?
Family is usually an enemy to the thing God wants us to do. Family will hold us back, trying to keep us in the place they think we should be.
Have you experienced one-sided friendships?
Consistently!People will be your friend(s) when you have something to offer in return, but when you are going through it, they leave you out hanging in the wind.
How has this message helped you to make new friends?
I see that we shouldn't be focused on making friend, but allow God to bring us new friends... Cuz when God does it, the new friend will get something from us, and we will get something…