How do I get and keep my friends?

For the weekend of March 22 & 23, 2008 - HAPPY EASTER!

Core Scripture(s):
Proverbs 16:27-28 (AMP) “A worthless man devises and digs up mischief, and in his lips there is a scorching fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”

Proverbs 14:10 (MSG) “The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.”

Romans 12:10 (NCV) “Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.”

Memory Verse:
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Discussion Questions:

• What are qualities you DON’T like in a friend? What qualities does God not like in us? (See: Proverbs 6:15-17) How does your list compare with His?
• Has there ever been a time when you have been hurt by gossip? Can you describe the situation (no names)? How did you feel?
• Describe a time when you took part in gossip. What were the results? Read Proverbs 17:9 “Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.”
• Who in your life “sharpens you like iron” (Proverbs 27:17)? What kind of relationship do you expect from a person like this? Are you that to anyone else?

Bottom Line:
The Bible makes it clear that if we want friends – we have to show ourselves friendly. The same things that we expect out of others (loyalty, trustworthy, caring, etc.) we should do ourselves for others. It’s when we’re not loyal and we choose to gossip or betray our friends that we tend to lose our friends.