Session 13

Being A Friend First

From It Starts With Me

READ: John 15:12-17Luke 6:27-36

Too often people complain or tweet about not having friends or community in their life —if only they knew that the solution lies within them! Just as Jesus initiated a relationship between Himself and humanity, sometimes we must be the instigators and initiators of friendships so that we can enjoy the fullness of community that God intends for us. Why not create quality community for yourself by being a friend first! 

Jesus didn’t wait for us to approach Him; He made the first move. Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” We did not ask for Jesus, nor did we do anything to deserve Jesus, but yet He still came to us. 

Rather than wait for others to acknowledge us, look in our direction, or invite us to sit with them, as Christians we should imitate Jesus and go first in friendships. Make the first move: make eye contact, be the first to smile, have a good attitude, and introduce yourself! While your friendliness won’t always be reciprocated, most of the time it will be received and returned in your direction. The more you do this, the more confident you will become and the more you will recognize community happening in and around your life. 

• Go first today and extend your friendship to a stranger at school, or to someone you have known for years (but have never been friends with). 
• In your journal, make a list of names that represent the community you have in your life right at this moment. Make a second list of names of the people who you want to invest more of your time and energy on in the future.

13 of 19

Session 1

Not Giving Up

READ: Galatians 6:6-10Matthew 5:1-12Isaiah 41:10Who doesn't want to change the world? Who doesn't want to see every...

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Session 2

Inviting Them

READ: Matthew 16:13-20Acts 1:1-11Because Jesus promised to build His Church and has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us, w...

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Session 3

Apologizing First

READ: Ephesians 4:25-27Matthew 5:21-26As Christians, we are called to live in unity and in peace. However, this is not always...

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Session 4

Recognizing My Worth

READ: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20Matthew 7:24-27Romans 12:2If you are tired of thinking the same ugly thoughts about yoursel...

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Session 5

Coming To Church

Jesus knew the Church was needed and necessary – not only for the world’s sake but also for yours. If you are serious about p...

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Session 6

Having 20 Seconds Of Courage

READ: Matthew 28:16-20Romans 1:16-17, 2 Corinthians 5:19-20Telling a stranger about Jesus, your family about the Gauntle...

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Session 7

Looking Up

READ: John: 4:1-42Our generation has great potential to reach and impact the world around us but this won’t happen as long as ...

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Session 8

Letting Go

READ: Matthew 6:24-34Mark 10:17-27Being a generous person starts with us letting go of money as our Master. While money can d...

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Session 10

Loving Jesus The Most

READ: Matthew 22:37Colossians 3:1-2You don’t get to have a godly relationship without first being godly yourself. Inste...

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Session 11

Being On Time

READ: Ephesians 5:13-17Luke 12:35-40Romans 5:6Being on time makes you more than a punctual person. If you want to impr...

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Session 12

Stripping Down

READ: Hebrews 12:1-2Ephesians 4:17-32As followers of Christ, we will be able to run further faster if we don’t have sin...

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Session 13

Being A Friend First

READ: John 15:12-17Luke 6:27-36Too often people complain or tweet about not having friends or community in their life —...

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Session 14

Setting Boundaries

READ: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20Titus 2:11-14Let’s commit to set physical boundaries long before we get into a relationship....

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Session 15

Fixing My Eyes

READ: Matthew 6:22-23Mark 9:42-50, Genesis 4:7There is so much to see in this world; so many things that draw our attent...

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Session 16

Handing It Over

READ: Matthew 11:25-30Psalm 55When someone hurts us, we often harbor resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness in ou...

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Session 17

Playing My Part

READ: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 1 Peter 4:8-11Ephesians 2:20Ephesians 4:16As Christians, the church is not just a b...

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Session 18

Loving My Family

READ: Matthew 5:13-16Ephesians 6:1-4, 2 Corinthians 5:20Want your family to love Jesus like you do? Then it starts with ...

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Session 19

Getting Uncomfortable

Read: Acts 10Has anyone ever interrupted you in the middle of something really important? Maybe you’ve been watching the newes...

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