Words To Live By: Week 2

Words to Live By - Week 2
On Friends

Welcome!

Cue the Golden Girls theme song…this week we’re talking about friendship! Scripture contains more wisdom about friendship than you might expect. God cares about who we surround ourselves with and how we show up in those relationships. We hope that your conversations about friendships will also help deepen the relationships you are building within your CoreGroup. 

Opening Prayer:

God, thank you for bringing this group together again. Each of us brings knowledge, insight, and a unique perspective to our conversation. Open our minds and hearts to hear from one another and to hear from you. Help us to listen with curiosity and share with humility. Use this time to strengthen the friendships we are building with each other. Amen.

Ice Breaker:

A foundational part of childhood friendships is, of course, the sleepover. Share a favorite sleepover memory with the group.

The Head:

“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”
Proverbs 14:7

“A scoundrel plots evil and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.”
Proverbs 16:27-29

“A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.”
Proverbs 17:10

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17

1. The Proverbs use lots of words to describe undesirable friends that we may not use in normal conversation. What words or phrases would you use to describe fools, scoundrels, perverse and violent people?

2. There seems to be warnings interlaced into these verses almost like there is an active effort to ruin friendships.  Why do you think these forces of evil want to keep us apart?

3. Why do you think the writers of Proverbs felt it was important to include wisdom about friendship?

The Heart:

1. Story time! Share a time when a friend (or friends) have shown up for you in a memorable, meaningful, or significant way.

2. Proverbs lists some traits we should look for in our friends, but it is not exhaustive. What traits are most important to you when you are looking for friends? 

3. Take a moment to consider your current friendships. How do you feel about the number of friends you have? What about the quality of those relationships? In what way would you like to see growth in your friendships?

Closing Prayer:

Hey God, we are so thankful for the gift of friendship.  For it is in these relationships that we can experience warmth, grace, and compassion in a way that You intended.  Forgive us when we struggle to see the real value of our friends.  Help us to be kind to one another and to embrace You as our role model for the best kind of friendship.  It is in your name that we pray, Lord.  Amen.

The Hands:

1. All of this friendship talk can also bring up painful memories for some of us. Do you have a friendship that needs repairing or forgiveness? How might you invite God into that situation this week? 

2. Friendship is a two way street. What steps can you take to be a better friend in the relationships you have currently?

Call to Action: What are you feeling God is calling you to do?