
Your Journey With Jesus
Rejoice at Jesus' Incredible Salvation
PART 1 — THE KICKOFF
“What's so great about Jesus?”
Why do we love stories about friendship? Whether it’s Samwise refusing to let Frodo carry his burden alone in the Lord of the Rings, the way Watson and Sherlock work together, or Dorothy’s unlikely friendship with her crew of traveling companions — the scarecrow, lion, and tin man. Or maybe even Jonathan in the Bible, a friend who loved David as his own soul. Don't we all want a friend like that? Someone who offers a shoulder to cry on? Someone you can laugh with or just call when you need a little help? They're always around, you can't shake them. A good friend is one of life’s greatest blessings.
So before we get into some deeper conversations about friendship, what's your favorite story about friends? And what character do you connect with most and why?
ICE BREAKER QUESTION

PART 2 — LET’S GET INTO IT
Let’s get into it and grow closer to Jesus. What’s so great about Jesus? He wants a relationship with each of us, so he calls us to follow him.
Jesus elevated the quality of the word “friend” when he described what he did for us as anact of friendship and called his disciples “friends” (John 15:14-15). He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus is the best friend you never knew you always needed. The best comparison he could give for the way he loves you is the unfathomable, perfect love God the Father has for him (John 15:9)! Just let that sink in!
What are your favorite qualities of your best friend?
REACH OUT QUESTION
You mean more to him than you will ever fully grasp. But may God grant you “strength to comprehend … the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18-19). Jesus stood up for us and gave his life “while we were enemies” far from God (Rom. 5:10). If that’s what he does for his enemies, just imagine the confidence his friends have in him! He’s already been a friend to you, so if you decide to be his friend and follower, he will “never leave you” so you “can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’’” (Heb. 13:5-6).
Once you know Jesus and his love, your life will never be the same.
THE BIG IDEA
PART 3 — INTO THE BOOK
Jesus might seem distant when you only think about him reigning in heaven. To get to know him, you have to also see who he was when he lived among us. He shows us his heart as we watch him interact with people. Like when his friend Lazarus got sick while Jesus was out of town. It’s just one of the many treasured moments in Jesus’ life that — when we hear them — make us want to learn a little more about him.
So read John 11:1-44 together and notice what he’s like. How does he feel about people? And what can he do to help? They say you learn who your real friends are when bad times come. Notice what kind of friend Jesus was when Lazarus and his sisters needed him.
After reading, take some time to discuss it.
What do you notice about Jesus?
TALK ABOUT THE READING

PART 4 — GOING DEEPER
Ready to go deeper? As we consider our favorite qualities of our friends — people we want to be around and share our lives with — it's easy to see how Jesus' character makes him "best-friend material." Let's notice a few together.
Jesus is our compassionate friend. He sees our weaknesses and understands when we're hurting. Jesus once looked at a crowd of people and saw they were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matt. 9:36). He wasn't detached from their struggles — he deeply felt their pain and lack of direction. Like a friend moved by our tears, Jesus was "moved with compassion" for a leprous man who begged for healing (Mark 1:41) and the widow who lost her son (Luke 7:13). It wasn't just a feeling, but it spurred him to action, to heal, to comfort, and to restore. And he understands our weakness, since he (sinlessly) walked in our shoes, experiencing our temptations, anxieties, and frailties of daily life. He doesn't condemn our struggles but lovingly meets us where we are with empathy and grace (John 8:1-11).
He's our committed friend. He's there for us, reliable, and dependable. He left the glory of heaven and entered our world, not for his own benefit, but to be with us and ultimately to save us (John 6:38). He lived his whole life with the cross in mind, setting "his face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51), knowing the suffering that he'd face. His commitment to his mission and to us was unwavering, even coming at immense personal cost. He finished the job, announcing with his final words from the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30), signifying his complete commitment to the Father’s task. He didn't give up or turn back — he saw his commitment through to the very end. And he did it all with joy, knowing how desperately we needed a Savior to take care of our sin problem (Heb. 12:2).
He's our counseling friend. He teaches us how to live. Like a good friend who offers wise counsel and valuable insights you might not see yourself, through his words and actions, Jesus shows us how to live a life that’s pleasing to God. His teachings on love, forgiveness, humility, and seeking God's kingdom offer a roadmap for navigating life's complexities (Matt. 5-7; Luke 6). Before his death, he promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Helper or Counselor (John 14:26), who would guide believers into all truth. The Spirit gave us the living words of Christ (2 Cor. 2:11-16) and he remains present in believers, producing the fruit of Jesus’ character within us (Gal. 5:22-25). So Jesus offers a constant source of wisdom and direction in our lives. And he calls us to a better way of life. And like a good friend doesn't always agree with you — challenging you when necessary to help you grow — Jesus offers wisdom that's not always easy to hear. He often challenges our worldly perspectives and calls us to a higher standard of living, one marked by love, justice, and faith. He wants what’s best for us, gently pushing us beyond our comfort zones towards spiritual growth.
Basically, Jesus embodies the best qualities of a perfect friend because he offers the deepest compassion for our struggles, an unwavering commitment to our well-being and salvation, and wise counsel that guides us towards truth and life. He's the friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Are you intrigued by Jesus? Are you drawn to following him?
THE BIG QUESTION
PART 5 — WRAPUP
THE CHALLENGE
Jesus is such an amazing friend! So, let's take some time to notice the value of friendship in life. Consider this week, if you could ask a friend to help you with something important in your life, what would it be? As you start the next conversation, take a moment to talk about what you noticed.
NEXT TIME
As we probably all remember from our younger years, we tend to become like the people we spend our time with. That's what Jesus wants us to do when we develop a deeper relationship with him — to become like him! In our next conversation, we'll consider how our lives change when we walk with him. And as we break from our past and walk down a new road with Jesus, we'll see the powerful ways that God can use us and mold us into his children.
CLOSING BLESSING
May we find our hearts growing closer and closer to Jesus this week, inspired by his incredible love and sacrifice for us.