How Can I Be a Better Friend? // Monty Plummer
Let's dive into the first message of this month's series as we learn about managing and maintaining great friendships!
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How Can I Be a Better Friend?
(Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
(Matthew 7:12 NIV)
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
(Mark 2:1-12 NIV) When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. (2) Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, (3) four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. (4) They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. (5) Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (6) But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, (7) “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” (8) Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? (9) Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? (10) So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, (11) “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (12) And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
Love God
(Proverbs 27:17 NIV)
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Love Ourselves
Love Others
(Proverbs 17:17 NIV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
“Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future.”
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Connect Group Questions:
• Why is it important to love God with all we have?
• What do you think “love your neighbor as yourself” means?
• How did the paralyzed man’s friends show love?
• How can friends help each other grow?
• What makes a good friend?
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