Sermon Series:
This week, pastoral elder Jadae Fox talks about finding Godly friends by harkening back to the relationship between David and Jonathan.
Sermon Passage:
1 Samuel 18:1-4
Sermon Outline
Godly Friends Are:
- Loving
- Committed
- Giving
Circle Church Discussion Questions
1. Godly Friends Are Loving
A. What does it mean to "love a friend as your own soul" (1 Sam. 18:1)?
B. Why is love foundational to all healthy, character-building friendships?
2. Godly Friends Are Committed
A. Jonathan made a covenant with David. What does "commitment" look like in modern friendships?
B. Why do you think deep, committed friendships are rare today?
C. What fears or barriers keep us from committing deeply to others?
3. Godly Friends Are Giving
A. Jonathan gave David his robe, armor, and weapons.
What does it look like to "give like that" in friendships today?
B. Why is vulnerability ("taking off our armor") so hard and so essential for this kind of friendship?
Personal reflection and application questions
Which of the three qualities loving, committed, giving do you most need to grow in?
Who is one person God may be calling you to invest in as a "character friend"?
What is one practical step you can take this week to be a godly friend?
References to godly friends in the Bible
Godly friends strengthen your hand in God.
1 Samuel 23:16 Jonathan strengthened his hand in Cod
Opposite: Ungodly friends wenken your walk with God.
1 Corinthians 15:33-Band company corrupis good morals
Godly friends speak truth in love.
Ephesians 4:15 Speaking the traith in love.."
Opposite: Ungodly friends flatter or deceive.
Proverbs 27:6 "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, profuse are the kisses of an enemy"
Godly friends sharpen you.
Proverbs 27:17-"Iron sharpens iron
Opposite: Ungodly friends dull your discernment.
Proverbs 14:7-"Leave the presence of a fool..."
Godly friends stick eløser than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 ... there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother
Opposite: Ungodly friends abandon you in difficulty.
Proverbs 18:246-"A man of many compamous may come to
Godly friends carry your burdens.
Galatians 6:2- "Bear one another's burilens...
Opposite: Ungodly friends add to your burdens.
Matthew 23:4-They tie up heavy burdens but will not vine them."
Godly friends stir you toward love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24-Stir up one another to love and good works
Opposite: Ungodly friends entice you into sin.
Proverbs 1:10"If sinners entlee you, do not consent
Godly friends are loyal through adversity.
Proverbs 17:17-A friend loves at all tracs...
Opposite: Ungodly friends betray you.
Psalm 41:9- My close friend.... has itfted his incel against me
Godly friends encourage your faith.
Hebrews 3:13 "Exhort one another every day..."
Opposite: Ungodly friends harden your heart.
Hebrews 3:12 Take care... lest there be in you an evil, unbelieving heart.
Godly friends restore you gently when you fall.
Galatians 6:1 Restore him in a spirit of gentleness."
Opposite: Ungodly friends shame or expose you.
Proverbs 11:13-"A gossip hetrays a confidence...
Godly friends pray with you and for you.
James 5:16-"Pray for one another...
Opposite: Ungodly friends ignore God entirely
Psalm 14:1 "The fool says in his heart. There is no God"
Godly friends speak wise counsel.
Proverbs 27:9- "The sweetness of a friend comes from earnest cotarvel
Opposite: Ungodly friends give foolish or harmful advice.
Proverbs 13:20-A companion of fools will suffer harm"
Godly friends walk in the light with you.
1 John 17-"If we walk in the light... we have fellowship.
Opposite: Ungodly friends walk in darkness.
John 3:19-People loved darkness rather than the light.
Godly friends forgive as Christ forgave.
Colossians 3:13-"Forgive euch other, as the Lord has forgiven you...
Opposite: Ungodly friends hold grudges.
Ephesians 4:31-"Let all binerness... be put away from
Godly friends build you up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Encourage one another and huild one another up.
Opposite: Ungodly friends tear you down.
James 3-6 "The tongue is a fire setting on fire the course of life."
Godly friends love at all times.
Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all thes
Opposite: Ungodly friends love only when it benefits them. Proverbs 20:6-"Mony
proclaim steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?”
Jadae Fox.mp3- Length: 1:26:57
