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God’s Way

BE a real MAN

David’s 3 - 2 Samuel 23:13–17

Single (w/ children)

Single (no children)

Married (with children)

Married (no children)

Demographics

Below 21

21 – 30 31 – 40 41 – 50 51 – 60 61 – 70 Above 70

Relationships

Age groups

FriendsNo. with friends in room No. with best friends in room

What does a real man do with...Week 1: a friend?Week 2: his devotion to God?Week 3: his wife?Week 4: his children?Week 5: his acquaintances?Week 6: his workWeek 7: his free timeWeek 8: the rest of this series?

Outline for series

What?? Starting with friendship?

A Friend?

And not God??

“It is not good for man to be alone” – Gen 2:18David had friends (3, 30, supporters in his wars)Jesus had friends (3, 12, 72)We as men of GBC are going to help each other

in both trellis and vine workWe as men need to

Become better disciples ourselvesLead the way in making more disciples for ChristImprove in our walk with GodHelp and be helped by our Christian friends

A Friend?

Only 10% of all men ever have any real friends (Loy McGinnis, author of The Friendship Factor)

“My wife is my best friend”Kent Hughes: “We need Christian male friends

who have a same-sex understanding of the serpentine passages in our hearts...”

We need someone to...Pray for us, Listen to us,Talk to us, Hold us accountable if necessary

Male friends

This series requires for you to have at least 1 friend

The partner must be in GBC and/orThe partner must attend these sessions

Where am I going with this?

Example Friendship

DAVID & JONATHAN

Jonathan’s Heart: 1 Sam 14:6 - 15

David’s Heart: 1 Sam 17:45 - 47

1. Friendship’s Mutuality2. Friendship’s Love3. Friendship’s Commitment4. Friendship’s Loyalty5. Friendship’s Encouragement

5 Christian Friendship Features

Mutuality of soul was common thread 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. (1 Samuel 18:1)

As men of GBCMen growing in our walk with GodBetter disciples, better disciple makersYou and your male GBC friend will have at

least this mutuality of the soul

1. Mutuality of the Soul

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. (1 Samuel 18:1)

David’s fire for the Lord met Jonathan’ fire for the Lord

Found connection - Jonathan loved David as himself

(Love neighbour as oneself, thus fulfilling law of God)

As men of GBC – may the love for our friend develop like that of David and Jonathan

2. Love

“Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.” 1 Sa 18:3.

Jonathan committed to David – knowingly laid down his right to kingship

As men of GBC – commit to your friend at least for the duration of this seriesKeep your wordKeep your appointmentsCommit to help should difficulty arise

3. Commitment

Jonathan defended and spoke well of David (2 Sam 19:1) with Saul

Pascal: “I set this down as a fact, that if all men knew what each other said of the other, there would not be four friends in the world.”

As men of GBC – stay loyal to your friend.ConfidentialityBe his prayer partner, friend, counsellorGet permission if you need to ask help from someone

else

4. Loyalty

Keilah’s men planned to give over DavidFled disheartedly into the desert to HoreshWho came to encourage him? (2 Sam 23:16)How?

Titus TouchApostle Paul down casted – God sent TitusResult: “my joy was greater than ever” – 2 Cor 7:6

As men of GBC – EncourageChristian men are minorityTrue Christian men are the minority in the minorityPray, talk, meet, sms

5. Encouragement

Three options:

1. Choose someone right now in this room2. Think and pray, arrange before next Sunday3. Drawing next week

Dare: Choose a friend

?

Questions