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Questions to ask yourself when choosing your inner circle of friends and a life giving community. Note: Communities are made up of imperfect people so no one is going to live life perfectly and as we join a small group it will be made up of all kinds of people. However when you choose your inner circle of 3-4 people you should be very wise as to who you choose to share your life with, because we are all greatly influenced by who we spend the most time around. Jesus chose carefully who would be in his inner circle: James, John, and Peter. They were not perfect in the beginning but they were open to the Lord’s teachings and grew to the point where they were fearless in proclaiming the Gospel!Psa. 1:1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.Choose Jesus as your best friend! Jesus should be your first go to person when in need of wisdom, comfort and guidance.John 15:14-16?You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.Pray for Godly friends who will exhort you to live for the Lord.What are some positive traits to look for in choosing your inner circle of friends? 1. Does this person have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?You can witness to someone who is an unbeliever or you can have a friendly relationship with an unbeliever but the Bible warns against putting that person in your inner circle.2 Corinthians 6:14?(ESV) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?2. Does this person always try to do the right thing?Proverbs 12:26?(ESV) One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.Prov. 12:26?(NIV) The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.3. Does this person’s influence make me a better person?Prov. 20:13 He who walks with the wise grows wise but a companion of fools suffers harm.4. Does this person encourage me in my walk?1 Thess. 5:11 Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.5. Does this person love me enough to tell me when I’m going down the wrong road? Making a bad decision? handling a situation poorly? Prov. 25: 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. Prov.19: 25 Rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.6. Does this person help me grow closer to the Lord and read His Word??Proverbs 27:17?As iron sharpens iron,?so a friend sharpens a friend.7. Does spending time with this person edify or discourage me?Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.8. Is this person grateful and often expresses thankfulness for God’s blessings and provisions?Col. 3:16 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.9. Does this person give Godly advice?Proverbs 27:9 Ointments and perfume encourage the heart;?in a similar way, a friend’s advice is sweet to the soul.What Negative Habits/Traits should you watch for when choosing your inner circle?1. Does this person tend to compromise moral values?1 Corinthians 15:33?Do not be misled: “ HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" Bad company corrupts good character.”1 Corinthians 5:11 Now, what I meant was that?you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don’t eat with such people.2. Does this person compromise Biblical principles and chooses habitually to go the way of the world? We all fail at times but a person who habitually sins when he/she knows it is wrong will not help you grow spiritually.James 4:4?(ESV) You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.3. Is this person a complainer and always talks about what is wrong?Phil. 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.4. Does this person have a bad temper and is easily offended?Proverbs 22:24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.5. Does this person tend to be jealous of what others have?Deut. 5: 21?“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”Rom. 12:15?Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.?16?Live in harmony with one another.6. Does this person talk about others? Is this person prone to gossip?Eph 4: 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Proverbs 17:9?Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.Do I exhibit any of the above traits? Positive ones? Negative ones? Am I someone else would enjoy having in their inner circle? What can I change to become a better friend?Other verses to considerProv. 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Prov. 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Prov. 25:11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ................
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