1 dayThe Gift of FriendshipFocus: « Genuine friendship is … »
Memory Verse:
« A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity. » (Proverbs. 17:17)
Scripture References: Mark 2:1-12
1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Discussion: We will reflect upon what is genuine friendship and what are traits does a friend have. What qualities destroy friendships? Do I have a genuine friendship? Can I be a genuine friend to someone?
2 dayDesiresFocus: Do not covet or envy
Memory Verse «
26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.» (Galatians. 5:26)
Scripture References: Genesis 4:3-8, Genesis 37:4-5, 26-28, I Kings 21:5-6,12-13
There are some things which strengthen or destroy friendships.
Discussion: What is envy; how does envy influence our relationships; how do we handle feelings of envy with our friends?
3 dayCriticism and PraiseFocus: « Power of our words »
Memory Verse:
«
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.» (Proverbs.18:21)
4 dayForgivenessFocus: « Learning to forgive »
Memory Verse «
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. » (Ephesians. 4:32)
Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:21-22
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Discussion: The ability to forgive helps friendship. We are each responsible for whether our friendship will continue or end. What does it mean to forgive and how do we learn to do it?
5 dayFriendsFocus: The Cost of Friendship
Memory Verse:.
«
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. » (John. 15:13)
Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-7
1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
I Samuel 19:1-7
1 Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David 2 and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. 3 I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I'll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out."
4 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. 5 He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?"
6 Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death."
7 So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.
Discussion: The cost of friendship – a sacrifice. What did Jonathan offered for the sake of David? What are you able to give? The special cost - a life.
6 daySpecial FriendFocus: « The unique Friend – Jesus Christ »
How is Jesus different from our friends?
Matthew 16:13-16, Colossians 2:9, Mark 9:7
Matthew 16:13-16
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Colossian 2:9
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
Mark 9:7
7Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
What distinguishes Jesus as the Friend from usual friends?
1Peter 2:22;
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."
Matthew 28:20
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Discussion: The price of His friendship – death on a cross.
Who is Jesus to you? Can He be your friend?
