FRIENDSHIPS

The lesson plan and the source of inspiration for the lesson plan.

TYPES OF FRIENDSHIPS

• What qualities do you want in a friend?

• What type of friends are out there, generally speaking?

Now – Categorize each of these friendships into the following types.

FRIENDSHIP TYPES

1. Mentorship: Every ten seconds, I want you to ask me to drink some of my water.

• Jesus & The Disciples: Matthew 10: 1-4 & Luke 6: 12-13

• Jesus did life with them, he taught and empowered them, even Judas.

Food For Thought: Are your present friends always asking you for advice? Are you constantly pouring into them? Are they pouring SUBSTANCE back into you? If not, where are you getting help from? Who’s mentoring you while you mentor them?

2. Friends With Benefits: Pinch your neighbor, say I love you, then pinch again!

• Samson & Delilah: Judges 16: 4-6

• Delilah was using him for money and Samson claimed to be in love but why?

Food For Thought: How do you know if a person actually loves you (not the image, thought, or idea of you)? How would you know if they’re just using you?

3. Romantic Relationship: Drop something on the floor; see if someone picks it up!

• Ruth & Boaz: Ruth 2: 10-11 & Ruth 4: 13

• Ruth was kind and generous during tough times and Boaz loved how she carried herself, the type of woman she was, and he married her.

Food For Thought: Are looks more important or is character more important?

What characteristics make for a good partner? Explain your answer.

4. Destiny Helpers: Trust fall exercise. Everyone get up and partner up!

• The Paralytic & His Friends: Mark 2: 3-5

• Four men carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus to be healed. When they couldn’t get through the crowd, they decided to tear the roof of the house open and lower him. The difference between him and all the other paralyzed people, was solely the company he kept.

Food For Thought: How far are you willing to go to help your friends?

How far are your friends willing to go to help you?

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, make me Best Friends with my Destiny Helper!

MORALLY UPRIGHT V. SPIRITUALLY UPRIGHT FRIENDS

I think we get these two mixed up quite often because our morally upright friends understand us on an emotional level, they seem to really love us or be ride-or-die people. While, our spiritually upright friends, either, seem boring, too holier than thou, lack personality, or they lack spiritual depth. It may also be easier to relate with our morally upright friends because WE lack spiritual depth. There are a lot of people at different levels of faith, so it’s hard to tell.

Now – Categorize these two friendships accordingly!

Morally Upright:

• Job & His Friends: Job 2:11, Job 4:7, Job 5:8, Job 42:7

• They blamed Job for all the bad that happened to him. They did not believe in his innocence. Instead they labeled him as being guilty.

• They lacked spiritual understanding and discernment.

• They connected emotionally, but not spiritually!

Spiritually Upright:

• Barnabas & Paul: Acts 9:26-28 & Acts 13:2-3

• Barnabas defended Paul in front of the other disciples. He believed Paul and they became brothers in faith who, prayed and fasted together.

• They did life and ministry together under the guidance of the holy spirit.

• They connected emotionally and spiritually!

CLOSING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What’s the difference between a MU and a SU friend?

2. How can you distinguish between the two?

3. Why is it important to know the difference?

4. What are some simple ways to check the spiritual depth of our friends?

5. How can we also check our own spiritual depth?

Source Of Inspiration: Crowned In Faith

Shared by: Simbi Akanni

#Friendships