Friends and Seasons
Day 1
Read Job 2
We may know the friends of Job from their efforts to convince him that he had sinned to deserve what was happening. But before that sat and grieved with him in silence for 7 days and nights.
When we consider our friend group, are we there simply for the good times?
What does it mean to sit with someone in their mourning?
How does this kind of friendship model Christ?
We may know the friends of Job from their efforts to convince him that he had sinned to deserve what was happening. But before that sat and grieved with him in silence for 7 days and nights.
When we consider our friend group, are we there simply for the good times?
What does it mean to sit with someone in their mourning?
How does this kind of friendship model Christ?
Day 2
Read Acts 15:36-41
Paul and Barnabas were close companions, missionaries, and friends. Yet, they still had a major conflict and falling out leading to them going separate paths.
Are friendships with conflict more real than others?
Is it Biblical to have conflict in our friendships even to the point of separation?
How did Got use the conflict between Paul and Barnabas to further the kingdom?
Paul and Barnabas were close companions, missionaries, and friends. Yet, they still had a major conflict and falling out leading to them going separate paths.
Are friendships with conflict more real than others?
Is it Biblical to have conflict in our friendships even to the point of separation?
How did Got use the conflict between Paul and Barnabas to further the kingdom?
Day 3
Read 1 Samuel 20
In this chapter, we see the depths of Johnathan’s devotion to David played out in real life. One would imagine it would be safer, more beneficial, and just give an overall better vibe in life to walk away from this one. Try to imagine the chaos and struggle this must have brought into Johnathan’s life and family.
In what ways do you see in this passage that Johnathan was dedicated to David’s well-being?
Think about a time that you can see a friend gave you a level of this sort of dedication.
Think of a time that you gave a friend this level of dedication. How did it go?
How do you turn these thoughts into a prayer for a friend, for your friendships, or even as a thanksgiving for the friend that God is to you?
In this chapter, we see the depths of Johnathan’s devotion to David played out in real life. One would imagine it would be safer, more beneficial, and just give an overall better vibe in life to walk away from this one. Try to imagine the chaos and struggle this must have brought into Johnathan’s life and family.
In what ways do you see in this passage that Johnathan was dedicated to David’s well-being?
Think about a time that you can see a friend gave you a level of this sort of dedication.
Think of a time that you gave a friend this level of dedication. How did it go?
How do you turn these thoughts into a prayer for a friend, for your friendships, or even as a thanksgiving for the friend that God is to you?
Day 4
Read Psalm 55
That was an interesting read! Remember, with David, the beautiful thing is that we get not only the story, but the diary entries in the Psalms as he pours out his heart. David didn’t write all of the Psalms, but he did write some of them, including this one. If you look at verse 13, you see that this one is about a friend that seems to betray David. I know that we can’t really know, but if you know the story of David, what part of his story do you imagine this could have happened?
Not all friendships go well or end up being safe. That is a real struggle and it makes us not want to open our lives to others when we experience that. Think about a time that a friendship turned out like this one for David,
Looking back at that hurt, how has that had a lasting impact on your life?
What would you go back and change if you could?
Share (without names and details) on the app messaging a time when this happened in your life and a little about how it impacted you. (Remember, that is public and you don’t need to share more than you are comfortable with.)
How can you pray about the hurts in that moment now?
That was an interesting read! Remember, with David, the beautiful thing is that we get not only the story, but the diary entries in the Psalms as he pours out his heart. David didn’t write all of the Psalms, but he did write some of them, including this one. If you look at verse 13, you see that this one is about a friend that seems to betray David. I know that we can’t really know, but if you know the story of David, what part of his story do you imagine this could have happened?
Not all friendships go well or end up being safe. That is a real struggle and it makes us not want to open our lives to others when we experience that. Think about a time that a friendship turned out like this one for David,
Looking back at that hurt, how has that had a lasting impact on your life?
What would you go back and change if you could?
Share (without names and details) on the app messaging a time when this happened in your life and a little about how it impacted you. (Remember, that is public and you don’t need to share more than you are comfortable with.)
How can you pray about the hurts in that moment now?
Day 5
“What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.”
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus- Hymn” Author: Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1855)
How does Jesus model being a friend for you?
How can you make this a prayer today?
Go on the app messaging and leave a testimony about how God has been a friend to you and taught you about what it means to be a friend to others.
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.”
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus- Hymn” Author: Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1855)
How does Jesus model being a friend for you?
How can you make this a prayer today?
Go on the app messaging and leave a testimony about how God has been a friend to you and taught you about what it means to be a friend to others.
Devotions
Archive
2024
January
March
2023
January
February
July
October
2022
October
November
2020
2019
November
No Comments