Tonight was our last night for the class. Every person has been in every class. Two couples did a make-up class when health or schedule prohibited their participation in the regular class. That is part of the agreement of being in the class.
We will recognize each person at graduation Sunday night after services. I plan to have a picture on my web site: www.barberclippings.com .
The outline for tonight's class:
* * *
How Can I Be a Friend to Jesus?
Introduction:
A. As we come to the close of this series of classes, I hope we can say with confidence what Solomon wrote. Ecclesiastes 7:8
B. In this final session, let us
1. Reflect and review.
2. Apply.
3. Evaluate.
4. Finish.
C. Jesus is my Friend; how can I be a friend to Him?
I. BY OBEYING HIM. John 15:14; James 2:21-23
II. BY BEFRIENDING HIS FRIENDS. Matthew 25:34-40
III. BY IMITATING HIS ATTRIBUTES OF FRIENDSHIP.
A. He understands me.
1. How can I understand Him?
2. How can I understand others?
3. How can I understand myself?
a. When tired?
b. When lonely?
c. When tempted?
d. When happy?
e. When sad?
B. He loves me all the time, even when I have problems.
1. How can I love Jesus all the time?
2. How can I love others all the time, even when they treat me and others wrong?
3. How can I love myself all the time, even when I make mistakes?
C. He tells me the truth.
1. How can I tell Jesus the truth and when should I tell Him the truth?
2. How can I improve my truthfulness with others?
3. How can I improve my truthfulness with myself?
D. He is willing to help and serve me.
1. How can I help and serve Jesus?
2. How can I help and serve others?
3. How can I ask and receive the help and service I need from others?
E. He brings out the best in me and challenges me to grow.
1. How can I respond to Jesus and follow Him in growing?
2. How can I help others to grow spiritually?
3. How can I encourage myself to grow? 1 Samuel 30:6
Conclusion:
A. What was helpful in this class?
B. How can this class be improved?
C. What needs to be discussed that we haven’t discussed?
D. How do you want to say, “Good-bye”?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Learning to Love my Friend(s) 9
My Friend Brings Out the Best in Me and Challenges Me to Grow
A. A good friend is not a “yes-man.”
B. A friend reinforces my strong traits and challenges me to grow in areas of weakness. Proverbs 27:17
C. Jesus is that kind of friend to me and encourages me to be that kind of friend to others.
I. MY FRIEND STRENGTHENS MY GOOD POINTS BY WHAT HE GIVES ME.
A. Ability and opportunity. Matthew 25:14,15,29; 1 Corinthians 15:9,10
B. The freedom to start where I am and to grow. Luke 16:10
C. Compliments when I succeed.
1. I need to know how to give a compliment.
a. Tell what you like.
b. Tell why you like it.
c. Ask a question.
2. I need to know how to receive a compliment. Proverbs 27:2
a. When complimented, say, “Thank you.”
b. Accept good gifts.
c. Don’t insult people by denying what they say good about you.
II. A GOOD FRIEND WILL CHALLENGE ME TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS FOR THE BEST REASONS.
A. By moving my motivation more and more from fear to faith, hope, and love.
1. Fear of punishment motivates and is scriptural. 2 Corinthians 5:10,11; Matthew 10:28
2. As I mature, my motivation grows in the direction of
a. Faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7
b. Hope. Romans 8:24; Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 3:15
c. Love. 1 John 4:18
B. However, fear of the wrong thing will motivate in the wrong direction.
1. God doesn’t give that kind of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7
2. In place of timidity, there should be
a. Power.
b. Love.
c. Sound mind.
III. A GOOD FRIEND WILL REBUKE AND CORRECT ME WHEN I AM IRRESPONSIBLE. Proverbs 27:5,6
A. Why is open rebuke better than secret love?
B. When would a friend wound you?
C. How can I correct in the right way?
1. Be truthful. Ephesians 4:25; Matthew 5:37; Ephesians 4:15
2. Keep current. Ephesians 4:26,27; Matthew 5:23-26
3. Attack the issue, not the person. Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 5:21,22
4. Act, don’t react. Ephesians 4:31,32; Matthew 7:12
5. Suggest positive traits to replace negative habits. Ephesians 4:25-32
A. Friendship is complicated and powerful.
1. For good. Proverbs 27:17
2. For evil. 1 Corinthians 15:33
B. Consider:
1. How can I be a friend to Jesus?
2. How can I be a friend to others?
3. How can I be a friend to myself?
4. How can this class be improved?
5. How will I end this class and say good-bye?
A. A good friend is not a “yes-man.”
B. A friend reinforces my strong traits and challenges me to grow in areas of weakness. Proverbs 27:17
C. Jesus is that kind of friend to me and encourages me to be that kind of friend to others.
I. MY FRIEND STRENGTHENS MY GOOD POINTS BY WHAT HE GIVES ME.
A. Ability and opportunity. Matthew 25:14,15,29; 1 Corinthians 15:9,10
B. The freedom to start where I am and to grow. Luke 16:10
C. Compliments when I succeed.
1. I need to know how to give a compliment.
a. Tell what you like.
b. Tell why you like it.
c. Ask a question.
2. I need to know how to receive a compliment. Proverbs 27:2
a. When complimented, say, “Thank you.”
b. Accept good gifts.
c. Don’t insult people by denying what they say good about you.
II. A GOOD FRIEND WILL CHALLENGE ME TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS FOR THE BEST REASONS.
A. By moving my motivation more and more from fear to faith, hope, and love.
1. Fear of punishment motivates and is scriptural. 2 Corinthians 5:10,11; Matthew 10:28
2. As I mature, my motivation grows in the direction of
a. Faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7
b. Hope. Romans 8:24; Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 3:15
c. Love. 1 John 4:18
B. However, fear of the wrong thing will motivate in the wrong direction.
1. God doesn’t give that kind of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7
2. In place of timidity, there should be
a. Power.
b. Love.
c. Sound mind.
III. A GOOD FRIEND WILL REBUKE AND CORRECT ME WHEN I AM IRRESPONSIBLE. Proverbs 27:5,6
A. Why is open rebuke better than secret love?
B. When would a friend wound you?
C. How can I correct in the right way?
1. Be truthful. Ephesians 4:25; Matthew 5:37; Ephesians 4:15
2. Keep current. Ephesians 4:26,27; Matthew 5:23-26
3. Attack the issue, not the person. Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 5:21,22
4. Act, don’t react. Ephesians 4:31,32; Matthew 7:12
5. Suggest positive traits to replace negative habits. Ephesians 4:25-32
A. Friendship is complicated and powerful.
1. For good. Proverbs 27:17
2. For evil. 1 Corinthians 15:33
B. Consider:
1. How can I be a friend to Jesus?
2. How can I be a friend to others?
3. How can I be a friend to myself?
4. How can this class be improved?
5. How will I end this class and say good-bye?
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