The Friendship Bouqet

You know one of the things I’m most excited about for our "Soul’d Out" group? The potential for friendships! There are 13 of you young ladies in this group…and I love watching how you are growing in friendship with one another.  Each one of you… an individual, unique flower, when grouped together can make a beautiful, sweet smelling bouquet that can honor the Lord with its aroma of LOVE!

 

 Through this group of girls, the Lord has certainly provided each of you the opportunity to make friends, but also the chance to be a faithful Christian friend.  So let’s talk about what a true friend is…

             ~Trustworthy. A real friend is always faithful and looking to protect and seek what’s best for the other person. You’ve got to earn a friend’s trust by keeping your word and keeping their confidence.

                ~Encourager. Genuine friendship is telling your friends what they mean to you. Be creative in looking for ways to express your feelings. However you do it, do it often! No one ever gets tired of hearing that she is loved, valued, and appreciated.

                ~Open. Be honest with your friends. As you learn more about them and become more comfortable in your relationships, you will begin to trust them and open up about your true feelings, struggles, and emotions. Friendship will grow deeper when you are open and honest. No one is perfect so we don’t have to act like it!

                ~A Positive Person. No one wants to be around a person who is negative all the time. Grumbling and complaining is a sin because it’s communicating a lack of trust in God’s plans. Look for the best in every situation…choose gratefulness!  Trust that God is at work even when we don’t see it. 
                ~Respectful. Respect means listening without interrupting. It means you don’t focus on your friend’s weaknesses but look at their strengths. It means avoiding a judgmental or critical spirit. Instead, make sure the words that come out of your mouth to them and when speaking about them are kind, uplifting, and considerate.

                ~A Servant. Selfishness is one of the biggest enemies of true friendship. Rather than asking what your friend can do for you, think about how you can serve her? When you consider others more important than yourself, you are becoming more like Jesus.

                ~A Speaker of Truth. A true friend speaks the truth in love and attempts to encourage friends with God’s word and the hope of the Gospel. There may be a time when you need to lovingly confront a friend on her sin. It’s never easy, but if done humbly, your friend will hopefully see it as an act of love for her. 

Think about it………….     

~Can you think of any other qualities of a true Christian friend?

~From the above list, how are you doing at being a true Christian friend? Is there an area you would like to grow in? 

~Are you excited for your friendships in this group? Do you have fears or concerns about friendships in this group?