Change is hard, especially change where we have no say in the matter. In those times, it is good to have people around to encourage, strengthen, and comfort us, but sometimes those people are hard to find. As we continue our Strengthening Church Relationships Series, we discover that God gives us tremendous insights in how to be good friends by caring for the people around us. Join us on Sunday for “Do You Want Good Friends? Care for Them.”
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MESSAGE STUDY NOTES
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WARM UP
Describe a time where someone went out of their way to care for you.
SCRIPTURES USED
Galatians 4:12-14, 6:2-3; I Corinthians 12:24-27; Acts 2:32, 34-35, 44-45, 11:29; Colossians 1:3, 4:3; I Thessalonians 1:2, 5:25; II Thessalonians 3:1; Ephesians 1:16-17; Romans 1:9; II Corinthians 1:4; Isaiah 1:3
MESSAGE POINTS
How Does the Bible Say We Can Care for Each Other?
1. Generosity of time/energy
2. Generosity of money
3. Generosity of prayer
To be effective:
• Check in regularly
• Observe carefully
• Grow compassion
Friendship Covenant: “I will care for you”
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. In caring for others, what do you struggle being generous with the most – time/energy, money, or prayer? Why?
2. If you could speak to your three closest friends all at once, what would you tell them you’d like the most from them – to be checked on regularly, for them to be more observant of your state, or that they would grow in their compassion toward you? Why?
APPLICATION QUESTION
How do you think your closest friends would describe your consistency in checking in with them? Why?
MENTORING QUESTION
If someone wanted to grow in compassion, what advice would you give them? Why?
