"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24, KJV.
"It is the privilege and duty of Christians to seek to refresh their spirits and invigorate their bodies by innocent recreation, with the purpose of using their physical and mental powers to the glory of God. Our recreations should not be scenes of senseless mirth, taking the form of the nonsensical. We can conduct them in such a manner as will benefit and elevate those with whom we associate, and better qualify us and them to more successfully attend to the duties devolving upon us as Christians." —The Adventist Home, p. 493. [Mirth: Social merriment; noisy hilarity; high excitement of pleasurable feelings in company]
You as a disciple have a Friend in Jesus Christ! You can be friendly and make other friends! You have Bible guidance in friendships!
To want to make friends is natural. The closeness of our friendships will determine the influence we have upon our friends and the influence our friends will have over us. This we cannot escape-we will influence our friends, and, in turn, we will be influenced by them.
In this lesson you will discover—
IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIPS
1. What Bible words aptly describe every disciple's closest friend? Proverbs 18:24.
Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Note: The language of this expression may conveniently be applied to Christ. He is true and faithful, the One who never fails. "The everlasting assurance shall be yours that you have a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 271.
2. What are some of the results of close friendships? Proverbs 13:20.
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (CEB) Don’t be deceived, bad company corrupts good character.
Note: The Bible uses the word "fool" to describe "Any person who does not act wisely, that is, does not follow the warnings and requirements of God, which are founded in infinite wisdom. Hence "a fool" is put for a wicked man, an enemy or neglecter of God." --American Tract Society Dictionary
3. What Bible principle should guide the disciple in forming friendships? James 4:4.
James 4:4 (NIV) You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
4. What counsel is given us regarding close relationships? 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15.
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (NIV) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15) What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) Just as iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend.--Complete Jewish Bible
1Corinthians (NIV) 15:3 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Romans 14:19 (AMP) So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].
Romans 15:19 (NLT) We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.
1Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
5. What was the basis of David's friendship with Jonathan? 1 Samuel 18:1.
1 Samuel 18:1 (NIV) After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.
6. What is the sign of an enduring friendship? Proverbs 17:17.
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
7. How is genuine love revealed? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8. Under what circumstances did Jesus perform His first miracle? John 2:1-11.
John 2:1-11 (NIV) On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2) and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3) When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4) "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." 5) His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6) Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7) Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8) Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9) and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10) and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." 11) This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
9. What were some other occasions in the social life of Christ? Luke 19:1-10; Matthew 9:9-13.
Luke 19:1-10 (NIV) Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2) A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3) He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4) So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5) When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6) So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7) All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" 8) But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." 9) Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV) As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10) While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11) When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12) On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13) But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
10. What other home did Jesus at times visit? Luke 10:38-42.
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39) She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40) But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41) "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42) but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Note: Jesus life gives us the example of using social events in order to reach people's hearts with the gospel.
11. When Christ's disciples returned from a busy trip, what did He invite them to do? Mark 6:30, 31.
Mark 6:30-31 (NIV) The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31) Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
12. Who are we to remember during the happy moments of recreation" Ecclesiastes 11:9, 10; 12:1.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 (NIV) Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. 10) So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV) Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--
DISCIPLESHIP COMMITMENT
"Recreation, when true to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen and build up. Calling us aside from our ordinary cares and occupations, it affords refreshment for mind and body, and thus enables us to return with new vigor to the earnest work of life." —Education, p. 207.
Questions to help process recreation choices:
How much does it cost to participate? Is it good management of God's money?
How much time does it take to participate? Is it a good use of time? Does it provide time to improve relationships?
What impact does this activity have on me physically? Does it promote good health?
What impact does this activity have o me emotionally? Is it restorative or stress inducing?
What impact does this have on me spiritually? Does this feed worldly desires or wholesome aspirations?
The personality Test--what kind of person will it make me?
The spiritual test--will it weaken my reason, impair the tenderness of my conscience, increase the influence of my body over my spiritual life, destroy to any degree my relish for spiritual things?
The health test--does it in any way militate against my health and strength?
The cooperation test--what does it do for others? Does it help or hinder?
The value test--does it crowd out something better?
The time test--does it have quality and durability?
The appreciation test--does it develop in me the desire for the best?
The symmetry test--will I be building a balanced and well-proportioned life?
The motive test--is there anything selfish about it?
The budget test--not merely "can I afford it?" but "should I make the investment?"
What other guidelines can you discover in choosing recreation and friends?
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.