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Cultivating Friendships
Have you ever felt like you didn't quite fit in or struggled to find dependable friends? What holds us back from the friendships we desire? Let's explore God's plan for cultivating meaningful, lasting relationships—ones where we can confidently grow together and experience the rich community that God designed us for.
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October 1, 2023

Cultivating Friendships

What do you look for in a friend?
Commonality
Proximity
Acceptance (& Accountability)
Fun
Dependability 

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. – Ephesians 4:1-7

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Qualities of a Godly Friend
Humility – Consider others greater (James 4:6-7; Ps 18:27; Luke 18:14)

Gentleness/Meekness – Strength under control (Matthew 11:29; Matthew 18:4; Psalm 37:11) 

Patience – Deals with disagreement peacefully and with honor. (Numbers 14:18; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 6:11-12)

Cultivate these qualities to become a good friend / Look for these qualities to find a good friend

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Fruit of Godly Friendships (Ephesians 4:2-3)
Loving Action
Unity / Commitment 

Have you ever heard someone say: “God has a plan for you.” 

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. – Ephesians 4:7

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:11-16

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God has given you a role to fulfill in His body 

To be His child and love your neighbor 

To be steadfast in faith and grow in your knowledge of Him

To be a part of the great story of redemption and embody the hope of Jesus 

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What do we look for in a friend?
Commonality
Proximity
Acceptance & Accountability
Fun
Dependability 

Qualities of a Godly Friend
Humility
Gentleness/Meekness
Patience

Fruit of Godly Friendships
Loving Action
Unity / Commitment 

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The body of Christ is the Church.

Church unity depends on Christ’s death and resurrection and our awareness of our position because of it. 

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. – Ephesians 2:13

Text “Small Group” to the 32000 to find a group. 

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