Friendships Are Hard to Develop Because of:
- Introversion
- Fear of rejection
- Pragmatic reasons (such as disabilities or health issues)
- Low trust
- Lack of time
- Too picky
1 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. …3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 1 Samuel 18:1-6
Why did Jonathan give David his armor?
Was this relationship homosexual?
The root word for love in 1 Samuel 18:1-6 is “aheb.” It is a word “used in a variety of relationships, but also with political implications.”
How Do You Find, Maintain, and Build Friendships?
- Christ first.
- Be real!
- No pedestals.
- Affirm and respect.
- No one’s perfect.
- Tell the truth.
- Make memories.
- Set Boundaries.
- Love is a verb.
When Conflict Comes
- Get perspective
- God’s design?
- Motives?
- Think before you speak.
- Armor up.
- Share Positive before Negative.
- Diffuse with kindness.
Big Idea: Friendships thrive when Christ is first. Conflict dissipates with perspective and kindness.