The Circle of Friendship
Prepare for Launch
with this Conversation Starter
“Friends Don’t Let Friends …”
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I remember an old public service campaign slogan that said, "Friends, don't let friends drive drunk." It made a compelling point — if you care about someone, you speak up to help them make wise decisions. And shouldn't that go beyond driving under the influence? Friends don't let friends live recklessly and drift off the narrow road, either (Matt. 7:13-14). We can't control each other's actions. But we can "speak the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15) and push one another to deeper devotion.
A foundation of trust lets us say — and hear — the hard truths.
THE BIG IDEA
Friendship is more than getting along. When you care, you step up and stand up for your friend's future, faith, and long-term well-being. We "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works" (Heb. 10:24), challenging each other to grow in Christ. Like "iron sharpens iron" — through accountability, love, and the occasional courageous conversation — "one man sharpens another" (Prov. 27:17).
When the rich young man asked what to do to have eternal life, "Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said … 'go, sell all that you have and give to the poor'" (Mark 10:21). Jesus' frankness was an act of love (Lev. 19:17-18). Because wise words are often a lifeline (Prov. 18:21). Friends don't let friends "wander from the truth" — we try to save their "soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).
A mugger's knife and a surgeon's scalpel can both cut you, but one wants to take from you while the other cuts to heal. All wounds hurt, but "faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Prov. 27:6). Friends don't jump on every failure, but in those critical "we need to talk" moments, everyone needs someone who cares enough to do what's uncomfortable, risking the relationship to help you.
THE BIG QUESTION
Do you have the courage to say what your friend needs to hear?
Sharpening
Push Friends to Deeper Devotion
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Friends Don't Let Friends …” (above). ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What piece of friendly advice do you value now but didn't at the time?ACT I
LIKE THE TEACHER — Mark 10:17-22
What’s the main point of this passage?What insights and applications do you take from the example of Christ? What do we need to get from these words that — if understood and applied — has the power to bless and strengthen us?Is there anything else here you find helpful or interesting? Anything you’ve never noticed before — or have always loved about these words?
ACT II
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THAT? — Didn't we just talk about a "Circle of Safety?"
Answer the four questions below.How does Prov. 25:11-12 change your perspective on giving and receiving correction?
Nathan and John the Baptist both confronted a king’s sin (2 Sam. 12:7; Mark 6:14-29). Why did David and Herod react differently in both stories?
What lessons do you learn from the way Paul encouraged Philemon about how to deal with confrontation?How could “iron sharpening iron” (Prov. 27:17) go wrong without the previous discussion on trust and integrity?
ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What have you learned about how to have a difficult conversation that works?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Consider how to stir up a friend to love and good works this week. REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
“Help us to sharpen one another as we serve you together" (Prov. 27:17).NEXT SESSION — Born for Adversity
Prepare by reading 2 Cor. 1:3-4; Rom 12:10-16; Gal. 6:1-5
Hear this Guided Study in action
Check out our podcast episode, where we talked about pushing friends to deeper devotion.
