Monday, May 6 ~ EQ: What is Biblical Friendship?

First, some thank you cards: Ms. Lindner, Loreal Weitzel & Heather Goode

Discuss: What was your take away from 

Journal 34: Which one is true? Why?
True friendship cannot be forged; it must be discovered.
True friendship cannot simply be discovered; it must be forged. 


Activity: Circle Talk
Directions: According to Tim Keller, these four qualities are the key to a true friendship. He backs each idea up with verses. As you rotate around to posters with the following verses, discuss the trait and write down an interpretation of each verse in your own words as well as an example of how it can be applied.

Constancy
~ The quality of being faithful and dependable.

• Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
• Proverbs 18:24b: “But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Carefulness 
~ We must know each other well enough to know what is love and what is offensive. 

• Proverbs 25:20: “Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart  is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.”
• Proverbs 27:14: “Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.”

Candor (truth telling)
~ The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.

• Proverbs 27:5-6: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
• Proverbs 29:5: "To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet." 

Counsel
~ Advice given to aid in wise decisions. 

• Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
• Proverbs 27:9: “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” 
• Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." 
• James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of the righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” 

He sums it all up as this: "A friend always lets you in, but never lets you down" (Timothy Keller). 

Journal 35: What do you gather about the balance of these four traits of a true friendship? What is the result of one lacking trait?
Do your closest friends have these four things? 

HW: Start thinking of what your RECLAIM: Friendship chapter might look like. 

Men's Moral Questions for Women