The Playbook
“How To Develop Biblical Friendships”
Proverbs 27

“… the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” – 1 Samuel 18:1

How do I develop biblical friendships?

Proverbs 27

Friendships
You become like the people you walk with consistently. – Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33
Be the friend that you desire to have – Philippians 2:3-4
God will often do His deepest work in you through another person, empowered by the Holy Spirit. – Proverbs 27:5-6

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

Biblical friendship is when a friend … 
Helps me become more aware of God
Helps me be more honest about myself
Helps me be more responsive to what God is doing	

Biblical friends …
1. Strengthen your faith in God – 2 Samuel 18-20; 2 Samuel 23:16

“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.” – 1 Samuel 23:16

Jonathan + David
Jonathan didn’t merely strengthen David’s confidence
He strengthened David in God

Biblical friends …
2. Remain present even when circumstances are inconvenient – Ruth 1

“… where you go I will go …” – Ruth 1:16

Ruth demonstrates …
Loyalty
Proximity
Sacrifice 
Faithfulness in suffering
Life shared
Spiritual commitment

Biblical friends …
3. Recognize what God can do through us before anyone else – Acts 9:26-28; Acts11:22-26

“… Barnabas took him [Saul] … declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord…” – Acts 9:27

Barnabas 
Saw past Saul’s past 
Saw what God might do through him 
Vouched for him and served with him

Biblical friends …
4. Remind us of who we are when we’ve forgotten – 2 Timothy 1

“Fan into flame the gift of God…” – 2 Timothy 1:6

Biblical friends don’t just know our struggles; they remind us of our strengths.

Biblical friends …
5. Speak the truth in love – Proverbs 27:5-6

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” – Proverbs 27:5-6

Biblical friends …
6. Emphasize self-sacrifice before personal gain. – John 15:12-17

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
	
Does this friendship draw us closer to God?

The greatest friendships aren't those that simply help us enjoy life but those that help us faithfully follow Jesus. 

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Recommended resource:

Spiritual Friendship
by Mindy Caliguire