It has been said that “loneliness is the plague of the 21st century.” Even within families, marriages, friendships, and churches, people are lonely. There is a desperate need to connect with very little ability, it would seem, to do so. This is where God comes in! God is connection (Father, Son, Spirit) and designed us for deep relationships. He has told us exactly how to make that happen in His book. This series is meant to create and deepen friendships in your church family and together we are going to create a “Friendship Covenant.” Join us for “Do You Want Good Friends?,” the first message in our new series Strengthening Church Relationships.
*******************
MESSAGE STUDY NOTES
*******************
WARM UP
If the depth of your friendships was placed in terms of economic wealth, would you say you are more Elon Musk or homeless? Why?
SCRIPTURES USED
John 15:12-13; Romans 13:10; I Corinthians 8:1, 13:1-3, 14:1; Ephesians 5:2;
Colossians 3:14; I Peter 4:8
MESSAGE POINTS
1. Love completes God’s law
2. Loves makes it difficult to divide the church
3. Miraculous church work is useless without love
4. Love is our top priority
5. To follow Christ, we must love
6. Love is the secret to church oneness
7. Love keeps us together after hurts
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. “To have good friends, be a good friend.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think God repeats the importance of love for the rest of the church
so often?
APPLICATION QUESTION
What did you feel God said to you (if anything) about your love for your church family? What do you think he might be asking you to do?
MENTORING QUESTION
How would you help a fellow believer who sees their romantic partner or children as a much higher priority than their church?
