Week of August 25
Proverbs 27
Opener
- Who was your best friend growing up? What did you appreciate most about them?
Discussion
- What makes it challenging to build and maintain close friendships?
- Proverbs 13:20 says, “The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” Is there a time when you suffered harm because of the people you chose as companions?
- Read Proverbs 27:5-6. What makes it difficult for us to give “trustworthy wounds” to our friends? What makes it difficult to receive them?
- Read Proverbs 27:14. We need to know how our friends tick (like whether they’re morning-people or not). What are some other things about our friends that are important to understand?
- Read Proverbs 27:9. In the ancient world, adding sweetness to food required hard work. What are some examples of the hard work that friendship requires?
- Read Proverbs 27:10. Can you remember a time when a friend abandoned you in a time of calamity? Did that give you resolve to be a better friend to others?
- Jesus said in John 15, “I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends.” How have you seen Jesus encourage you and challenge you lately, as a good friend should?
Action Step
- Who is the one friend you need to invest your time, energy, and vulnerability with this week?