Friendship
One characteristic of people is that many are lonely. They have never learned to have a good friend. Success in life will depend on what kind of friends you have developed.
Tell us about a friend you have, who is not in this room. What made that person such a good friend?
I. Value of Friendship
A. Friends have a significant influence
Prov 13:20
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. (NIV)
B. Friends lead us
Prov 12:26
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. (NIV)
C. Friends promote mutual growth
Prov 27:17
17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (NIV)
Have you ever had a friend who caused you to do things which you later regretted?
II. Friends to Avoid
A. Company of fools
Prov 14:7
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. (NIV)
B. Alliance with evil men
Prov 1:10‑11
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;
(NIV)
Prov 1:14‑15
14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"‑‑
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
(NIV)
C. Fellowship with evil men
Prov 4:14‑19
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. (NIV)
How do we minister to evil men?
D. Gossipers
Prov 20:19
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. (NIV)
E. Drinkers
Prov 23:20‑21
20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,
21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. (NIV)
F. Bad-tempered
Prov 22:24
24 Do not make friends with a hot‑tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, (NIV)
G. Hypocrite
Prov 26:23‑28
23 Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit.
25 Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
(NIV)
H. Superficial
Prov 18:24
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
What are some things which have happened to you which have caused friendships to go bad?
III. Kinds of Friends to Cherish
A. Time-honored friends
Prov 27:10
10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you‑‑ better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. (NIV)
B. Loyal
Prov 17:17
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
Prov 18:24
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
C. Available
Prov 27:10
10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you‑‑ better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. (NIV)
D. One who reproves you
Prov 27:5‑6
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (NIV)
Prov 27:9
9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. (NIV)
Prov 28:23
23 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. (NIV)
What are some secrets you have found to maintaining good friendships?
How significant is the choice of a friend?
What are some things you would look for in someone who would be a good friend?
Are there friendships you need to get rid of , or friendships you need to develop more fully?
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