First Principles

Best Friends of All Time

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Introduction

  1. Have the new Christian share about their closest relationships during their lives.
  2. Ask how close they feel to God and their spiritual family in comparison to their physical family and old friends. Ask the young Christian, "Who are your closest friends in the church?"


  1. One Another Scriptures
    1. John 13:34-35: Love one another. Jesus teaches that Christians should have better relationships than people in the world. Set your mind to make Christians your best friends.
    2. Hebrews 3:12-14: Daily encouragement of one another.
    3. Ephesians 5:19-20: Worship God with one another in singing to God with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
    4. Colossians 1:28-29: Disciple one another. This is essential in God's plan to become mature. As we mature, we learn to instruct one another (Romans 15:14).
    5. Galatians 6:1-2: Gently restore one another and bear one another's burdens.
    6. James 5:16: Confess sins to one another. Discuss openness and transparency, remembering that "openness breeds openness." So, the older Christians should share their struggles first and/or their struggles as a young disciple.
    7. James 5:16-18: Pray for one another, as it makes a huge difference!
    8. Hebrews 12:14-15: Be holy and help to prevent bad attitudes ("bitter roots") in one another.
    9. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14: Outlook toward leaders and one another.
    10. John 17:20-23: The ultimate goal of unity is world evangelism!
  2. Date and Marry Only Disciples
    1. 1 Corinthians 7:39: Marriage must be in the Lord.
    2. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Dating, as in marriage, is a partnership in which you are "yoked together." Disciples must separate from unbelievers to receive the promises of God.
    3. 1 Kings 11:1-10; Nehemiah 13:23-27: Study this principle in the Old Testament. To date or marry outside of the faith is to be unfaithful to God. If you are single, have you gone on a Christian date?
    4. 1 Peter 3:1-7: If you are married, are you winning your spouse? Are you going on dates with your spouse?
  3. Reconcile with One Another
    1. Matthew 18:15-17: Christians will sin against each other. When someone sins against you, do not gossip by going to someone else. Talk to the person who hurt you, so you can win him/her over as a friend.
    2. Church discipline begins one-on-one and rarely should go to step 2, 3 and 4.