Discipline of Friendship
Study on Chapter 5 of Disciplines of a Godly Man (R. Kent Hughes)
“To love a person means to see him as God intended him to be.” - Dostoyevski
Food for Thought
Jesus calls us friends
(Q) What can we learn about friendship from Christ’s statements about us being His friends (John 15:13-15)?
(John 15:13-15) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
(A) I can see great love and humility; because as he is the God and the creator, he calls us (the creatures) friends. Not only he said but also demonstrated it through his crucifixion.
Wife, the most intimate friend
(Q) “If you are married, your wife must be your most intimate friend.” Do you agree, really? How would such a friendship show itself (apart from sexuality) … grow … weather the stresses of the relationship?
(A) agree - spend most time with her and husbands and wives have the most influential relationship mutually They respect, encourage, and love each other.
David & Jonathan
(Q) What truths of Christian friendship are evident (분명한) in the relationship between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 14 - 18)? List as many as you can.
(A) they had same heart and loved each other. like minded; trust in God; trust & love each other - one in spirit (1 Samuel 18:1); goal is same (glorifying God); honest, unselfish, humble love; made a covenant (church membership); desire for the best (page 62); loyalty; encouragement
Titus Touch
(Q) Have you experienced the “Titus Touch” (2 Corinthians 7:6,7)? In your own words, what is the “Titus Touch”? How can you become more like Titus? Why would some men choose not to?
(2 Corinthians 7:6,7) But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
(A) Yes, when I traveled Korea, I was struggle with my father, one brother sent me an email and encouraged me. At evangelism, an unknown brother paid for the lunch without telling me and he disappear.
Godly encouraging. Union with Holy Spirit through prayers. Prayer and diligently put effort on that.
Shy, fear what if it is rejected.
Prayer
(Q) What does prayer have to do with your friendships? God won’t force someone to be your friend, will He?
(A) I don’t think God would force anyone but he could help e.g., through circumstances and events
Hospitality
(Q) What do 1 Peter 4:9 and Hebrews 13:2 teach about friendship? How can you apply these Scriptures to your life?
(1 Peter 4:9) Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
(Hebrews 13:2) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
(A) hospitality and friendly acts should be must for friends. Friends without friendly is not right. Do not be discouraged nor tired but keep friendly even for the strangers.
Applications
Application/Response
What did God speak to you about most specifically, most powerfully in this chapter? Talk to Him about it right now!
(page 62) “To love a person means to see him as God intended him to be.” - Dostoyevski
Now I know how to pray for and how to consider others. Not as I want him/she to be but God wants him/she to be.
Think About It!
List those whom you consider good or close friends. After each name, tell why you see that person as a friend. Then summarize what you are looking for in friends and why you value such relationships.
- Wife: most intimate
- Yim: same evangelism heart, encourager
- Jeff: godly respectable
Sharing spiritual joy and burden. Pursue God’s kingdom and righteousness together.
My Questions
- Can I choose our own friends (preference) or let God to bring?
- Can I have non believer or nominal/cult christian friends?
