First
United Methodist Church 
Study Guide and Daily Devotion
Monday, January 22
This week we’ll look at scriptures on friendship and each day you will be invited to do something in response to our study. Let’s begin by considering what the Bible says about our need for friendships. You can find all of today’s readings on the top of the sermon notes from yesterday’s message. Read Genesis 2:18. What does this verse tell us about our need for others? While this verse leads up to the creation of Eve and it is foundational for our understanding of marriage, it also relates to friendship. Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (notice this starts two verses earlier than your sermon notes). How does this passage relate to the Genesis passage? The writer makes the case for the value of friendship. When the 12th verse speaks of three strands, many believe the third strand referred to is God. How does a shared faith in God positively strengthen a friendship? Do you have any close friends at the church? Would you consider investing the time to develop such friendships? Look over your sermon notes from yesterday’s message – point 3 and the conclusion describing how we cultivate friendships.Tuesday, January 23
Because we are all human, we are broken and imperfect, all of us will disappoint and hurt our friends from time to time, and our friends will hurt or disappoint us. This is a common theme throughout the Bible. Let’s take a look at just two examples: Read Psalm 41:9. Has this ever happened to you? This passage pointed toward the scriptures greatest example of betrayal by a friend. Read Matthew 26:14-16, 26:20-25 and 26:47-50. Proverbs speaks of friendship and the threats to it. Read Proverbs 16:28, 17:9, 19:6, 22:24. Are there friends that you have wronged in the past or with whom you are alienated by something you’ve done or failed to do? Pray, and then either drop them a note, an e-mail or make a call to express your concern for them and to apologize.Wednesday, January 24
Yesterday we learned that friends will at times hurt one another. It is likely that you have had persons who had wronged you in the past – persons who were friends. Offering forgiveness is not always easy. It requires time. And when the other hasn’t sought our forgiveness, perhaps not even acknowledging or understanding the wrong they’ve done, it is particularly difficult. But mercy is essential to friendship. Today we’ll read a few scriptures about forgiveness. Read Colossians 3:12-13. Which persons who are now, or have been in the past, your friends, do you still harbor ill feelings for? List their names here and pray for God to give you the gift of mercy toward them. Does Colossians 3:12-13 apply to these situations? Consider initiating contact with them to seek reconciliation.Thursday, January 25
Jesus chose 12 to be his closest friends and disciples. In Jesus’ small group they developed a bond of friendship that would later be the foundation for becoming apostles and the founders of other small groups. Are you in a small group that regularly studies together and prays for each other? Friendships founded in small groups are often the strongest and deepest. If you are not currently in a small group please join in one of the Lenten small groups beginning in mid February. These groups will be studying Isaiah the Magnificent Prophet. You may register by calling the church office, 882-1436.Friday, January 26
Look over your sermon notes again. Why are friendships important? What is required to maintain them? What is the difference between I-It and I-Thou relationships? Read Proverbs 17:17 and 18:24. Read I John 4:7-21. Make a list of three persons who are close friends or potentially close friends. Pray for them, drop them a note and tell them what they mean to you. Find one concrete way to bless them today.