Tonight we going to be taking about friends, boyfriends and girlfriends
This is a big subject…I couldn't think of any better way to start that by watching
an episode of…Friends
[Friends series 7 The one with nap partners]
The middle bit
I guess that most of you have watched Friends before tonight
I think it would be fair to say that Chander's, Joey's, Ross's, Rachel's, Monica's and
Phoebe's friendship is one of the most important things in their lives.
How important are friends to you?
Some people have lots of friends, some maybe only have one or two…
Do you think it is better to have loads of friends or one 'best friend'?
What do you expect from a friend?
Accepting - takes you as you are
Honesty
Trustworthy
Loyalty
Understanding
Love
Do your friends live up to your expectations?
John 15:13 P1085 says "The greatest love a person can show is to die for his
friends"
Would you be willing to die for your friends? Why?
Do you ever fall out with your friends?
About what?
How does that make you feel?
The reality is friendship is hard work.
We've just seen:
Phoebe and Rachel fighting over been maid of honour
Chander trying to please Monica
Joey and Ross getting a bit too close…
Friends do get close, but do you think they can get too close?
Have you ever fancied / asked out one of your friends?
What's the difference between a friend and boyfriend…girlfriend?
Is it completely different?
If you're going out with someone, is it more important to get off or be friends?
What is more exciting?
Which will last?
Conclusion
Friends are an important part of our lives.
They can be frustrating, complicated, but at their best they can bring us a great deal
of happiness.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 P602 "Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If
one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and
falls, because no one is there to help"
So let us pray for our friends…
What I'd like you to do, is to write the names of your friends on a piece of paper and
put them into the bowl…
When we've all done that, I'd like you each to pick out a name, from the bowl and pray
for that person
Other Bible references
Proverbs 27:6 P561 "The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you, but the kisses
of an enemy are nothing but lies"
Proverbs 18:24 P583 "Some friends may ruin you, but a real friend will be more
loyal than a brother"
Proverbs 17:17 P582 "A friend loves you all the time, and a brother helps in time
of trouble."
Luke 7:34 P1016 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at
him! He eat too much and drinks too much wine, and he is a friend of tax collectors and
sinners!'"
Luke 11:5-13 What are we willing to do for friends?
John 11:1-16 and 38-44 Lazarus "a friend"
Song of songs 5:10-16 P613:
My lover is healthy and tanned, the best of ten thousand men
His head is like the finest gold; his hair is wavy and black like a raven.
His eyes are like doves by the springs of water, they seem to be bathed in cream and are
set like jewels
His cheeks are like beds of spices; they smell like mounds of perfume. His lips are like
lilies flowing with myrrh
His hands are like gold hinges, filled with jewels. His body is like shiny ivory covered
with sapphires.
His legs are like large marble posts, standing on bases of fine gold. He is like a cedar
of Lebanon, like the finest of the trees.
His mouth is sweet to kiss, and I desire him very much. Yes daughters of Jerusalem, this
is my lover and my friend.
