The Makings of Friendship
Prepare for Launch
get ready with these Helpful Resources
Mark 3:12-21; Phil. 2:1-11; Rom 12:16-18
“Make a Picture”
My grandma loved using her old-school film camera to capture that Kodak moment any time us grandkids came over to her house. "Let me make a picture of you boys," she'd say as we stood awkwardly in front of her 60s faux-wood paneled wall. "Make a picture" might sound like a funny phrase, but back then, photography took effort! Those pictures would take forever to develop compared to today's digital cameras and smartphones.
Like analog photography, friendship takes time and energy — as we've covered — but it also requires us to stretch outside our comfort zones. Sometimes, our friendships must be made and developed over time, overcoming obstacles that might keep us from getting close.
THE BIG IDEA
Limiting friendships to people just like you severely shrinks your pool of possible partners.
We bond over what we have in common. But even within the church, where we share so much in Christ, we have immense diversity! And that’s a gift from God (Rom. 12:6-8).
Those closest to Jesus had obstacles to overcome, too (Mark 3:13-21). Picture Jesus' inner circle: pairs of brothers mixed in with complete strangers; outspoken, passionate men following with some you never hear a peep from; and a former zealot walking with a former tax collector! Jesus didn't seem stuck on similarities in backgrounds and interests beyond their interest in following him.
And think about the differences between Jesus and his friend group. Their differences with each other pale in comparison to the difference between his disciples and him. He was as different as a person could get. He was perfect. But he became like us to create this friendship. And now, he can sympathize with our weakness (Phil. 2:1-11). So follow the Lord's lead and get interested in the interests of others!
Who's waiting to be your friend if only you'd be interested?
THE BIG QUESTION
Making Friends
Overcome the Obstacles to Getting Close
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Make a Picture” (above). ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
Who's your "weirdest" friend?ACT I
LIKE THE TEACHER — Mark 3:13-21
What do you see Jesus doing here?Why do you think it’s recorded in the book? What’s the point of the passage?What do these words teach you about overcoming differences?What insights and applications do you take from Christ and the disciples' example?
ACT II
Deep Thoughts — Phil. 2:1-11
Meditate on this great passage of Scripture and share any insights and applications you draw from it. Here are a few questions that might help you prepare to discuss the passage:What blessings does Paul hope will inspire greater efforts toward unity (Phil. 2:1-3)?What do you think it means to consider others more significant than yourself (Phil. 2:3-4)? How could this be misunderstood or twisted? Why does the world have so much trouble with this idea?Is it okay to look out for your own interests (Phil. 2:4)? Explain.How are Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus good examples of these attitudes (Phil. 2:17-30)?What do you learn from Christ "emptying" vs "grasping" (Phil. 2:5-11)?What does this passage illuminate about what Christ gave up for us (Phil. 2:6-11)?What else do you take from Christ's example? How can we, practically, show more of this attitude?
ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What fears have kept you from sparking up a relationship with someone, and what advice would you give someone to handle a similar situation?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Leave your comfort zone and invest in someone else's interests.REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
"Father, help us to look out for the interests of others, and not just our own interests" (Phil. 2:3-4).NEXT SESSION — The Heart of the Matter
Prepare by reading Luke 10:25-37; 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Matt. 22:36-40