Christian Friendships Can Serve God Powerfully
by Living His "Together Way"
Christian friendships may very well be the most overlooked powerhouses for the church.
It is in friendships that Christians loosen up with each other, get to know one another's victories and heartbreaking challenges, seek help for marital and family situations, and complain about relationships and responsibilities. This transparency often exceeds that of marriage and family, or any other relationship. Therefore, Christian friendships are fertile ground for helping one another out of self-denying love. Problems can be faced. Spiritual battles can turn into spiritual growth.
Christian friendships can be dynamite!
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For friendships to progress toward their potential in mutual help, Christians need to learn well the Togethers of Scripture. The Togethers are the blueprint for bringing the power of Jesus and the Christian faith into play.
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Just wait to see what happens when a few friends
interact in the humble and self-sacrificial way
of the Togethers. Those observing the friendship group
will be inspired to think about Jesus.
John 13;35
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
interact in the humble and self-sacrificial way
of the Togethers. Those observing the friendship group
will be inspired to think about Jesus.
John 13;35
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Christian friendships can also open up outreach and ministries. Friends love to get together. If friendships can be encouraged (given the courage) to take on reaching out to others, the possibilities are endless, from home repair for financially-strapped elderly to helping in the aisles of the grocery store. (read our article Jesus in the Cereal Aisle)
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For friendships to progress toward their potential in ministry, church leaders must recruit friendship groups for service. Pastors must give sermons with ministry applications for friendship groups. See Recommendations for Pastors and Preparing the Saints for Works of Service.
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Don't miss these sections at our other website: ChristiansTogether.org
Loving Your Inner Circle
fostering your closest relationships
Having Friends
making friends
keeping friendships interesting and meaningful
meshing friendships with family
Loving Your Inner Circle
fostering your closest relationships
Having Friends
making friends
keeping friendships interesting and meaningful
meshing friendships with family
Ideas for ministries by friendships: (just to get you started thinking of other ideas)
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>> Take a child or children missing regular contact with the parent of your same gender for fun outings. Because there are more than one of you, concerns about molestation will be eliminated.
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Copyright 2012 Dick Wulf, Colorado, USA