LIVING IN WISDOMVILLE – “FRIENDS”
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 13:20
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
In order to live in Wisdomville, we must have godly friends and be a good and godly friend.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD AND GODLY FRIEND?
- A good friend is faithful.
Friends do not desert each other when times are bad.
(Proverbs 17:17) “A friend loveth at all __________________________…”
(Proverbs 27:10) “Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, _________________________ not;…”
One of the greatest friendships in the Bible was that of David and Jonathan. When Jonathan’s father, King Saul hated David so much that he wanted to kill him, Jonathan protected David. Even with the loss of his future kingship, his relationship with his father, and the potential loss of his life, Jonathan remained loyal to David. What a FAITHFUL friend!
- A good friend keeps confidences.
Friends do not gossip.
(Proverbs 16:28) “A froward man soweth strife: and a __________________ separateth chief _______________________.
(Proverbs 11:13) “A _______________________ revealeth secrets: but he that is of a ____________________ spirit concealeth the matter.”
As a friend you’ll know details and secrets of your friend’s life. Friends do not gossip. Gossip is telling detrimental things about another person to someone who is not a part of the problem or the solution. Friends know when to tell someone else (such as in cases of abuse) and when to keep confidences.
- A good friend is kind.
Friends do not carry jokes or pranks too far.
(Proverbs 26:18-19) “As a ___________________ man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
So is the man that deceiveth his ____________________, and saith, Am not I in sport?”
Or it could be said like this – Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” There is a big difference between a joke or harmless prank and going too far. Trust is a wonderful thing, and it should not be mocked. Your friend trusts you – be worthy of it.
- A good friend does not co-sign.
Friends encourage each other to live within their means.
(Proverbs 17:18) “A man void of understanding _________________________ hands, and becometh _________________________ in the presence of his friend.”
Money is often been a cause of bitterness between close friends. When you co-sign, you accept responsibility for the debts of others. When you co-sign, you are enabling your friend to buy something he cannot afford. The Bible calls that “putting up security” or being “surety.” Often people pledge themselves to be responsible for their friend’s debt. This is a recipe for disaster. Friendship is strained. It is best to encourage your friends to buy only what they can afford. When someone wants something they can’t afford, encourage them to save until they can buy it. If your friend is truly in need, it is better to give them a gift rather than to loan or co-sign.
- A good friend brings out the best in his friends.
Friends do not ask their friends to participate in sin. They look out for each other.
(Proverbs 16:29) “A _______________________ man ______________________ his neighbour, and ___________________________ him into the way that is not ________________________.”
(Proverbs 22:24-25) “Make no _________________________ with an _______________________ man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou __________________________ his ways, and get a ________________________________________ to thy soul.”
Instead of doing harm to people, such as corrupting their morals and leading them to do something wrong, a good friend will bring out the best in righteousness and usefulness for good in their friend. True friends will not entice to do wrong; they will encourage to do right.
- A good friend always tells the truth.
Friends do not withhold the truth in order to save the other person’s feelings.
(Proverbs 27:17) “Iron sharpeneth __________________; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his _____________________________.”
(Proverbs 27:6) “______________________ are the _________________________ of a __________________________; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
(Proverbs 27:9) “Ointment and __________________________ rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s _______________________ by hearty counsel.”
True friends put the needs of a friend before their own need to keep the friendship. We all need someone who will tell us the truth in a loving way. It is hard to grow without the help of our friends.
It’s never easy, but when you must tell someone the truth, use this approach: speak calmly, clearly, directly, honestly and respectfully. This is how Jesus would confront someone.
Write out the six things you have learned about being a good friend…
- A good and godly friend _________________________________________________
- A good and godly friend _________________________________________________
- A good and godly friend _________________________________________________
- A good and godly friend _________________________________________________
- A good and godly friend _________________________________________________
- A good and godly friend _________________________________________________