FRIENDS

Definition:

A friend is a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. It is also an acquaintance. Further, it can be a person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.

Brief Explanation:

Making friends is fairly natural for most children as they grow up.  However, developing  true,  close and intimate relationships is not always easy in the body of Christ.  There are many reasons that can be proposed for this reality, but regardless ones opinion, finding friends is an art form, requiring that the person needing friends be friendly. A counselor can model friendship, but can rarely be the friend of the client, due to the relationship dynamics of counselor/counselee.  The church can and, of course, should be a place where friendships, based upon a common faith in Jesus Christ are developed. A counselor needs to encourage friendship development, both in the church and community.

The Word of God:

Proverbs 17:17

“A friend loves aT all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Amos 3:3

“Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?”

Galatians 6:2

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Proverbs 27:6

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”

Proverbs 17:9

“He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.  But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”

Romans 12:15

“Rejoice  with  those  who  rejoice,  and  weep  with  those  who weep.”

Proverbs 13:20

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Proverbs 27:10

“Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.”