Introduction: There are a lot of people who choose to live life ________, without the interaction of others.

Ralph Keys, Author of, We the Lonely People writes, “We value mobility, convenience and privacy. _______ is our most cherished value.”

One by Harry Nilsson

Solomon provides us with _______ reasons why it is important to have a friend/s in our lives. One author called these: Survival Lessons for life. Here they are:

I. So, we are not ________ – v. 9a

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

Everyone needs a ________, a companion, or a buddy. Do you have a good friend? You need one. The _____________ is a great place to find friends, and a great place to develop lifelong friendships.

Examples of Friendships in the Bible

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Jonathan and _______ – I Samuel 18, 20

Elijah and ________ – I Kings 19:19-21 Naomi and ________ – Ruth 1-4 Paul and _________ – Acts 16, 1 & 2 Timothy

Paul’s list of friends - Romans 16

II. So, we can ________ together – v. 9b

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

The NIV reads, “__________ can be much better.”

The Bricklayer Insurance Claim

It’s NOT a good idea to ______ alone, especially in a hazardous occupation.

Can I also say that people ________ more when they work with someone else, than when they work alone! There is nothing like having some additional hands, or ideas when you are working on a project together.

III. So, they can ________ out for each other – v. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

Woe is the person who doesn’t have a friend in their life. This word can also be translated, horrors, peril, danger. Bottom line – it’s _____ good to be alone.

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Stephen Lyman

It is NEVER good to be ______ out in the wilderness.

Touching the Void

When you have someone with you, and you fall, they can _______ you, but woe to him who is alone when he falls. For he has no one to help him. This is so true in the physical realm, but it is also true in the _________ realm. When a believer falls into some sin, it is good to have a friend that will walk through it with you. You don’t want to fall and not have someone you can reach your hand out to for assistance.

IV. So, they can keep each other ________ – v. 11

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?

Homeless in Spokane - Feed the Need

Are you picking up the teaching from this section of Ecclesiastes? It’s ______ good to be alone! Everyone needs another person in their life. Do you have another person?

Also from a ________ perspective life can throw at us some very ______ situations. We can be in a crowd, and still feel all alone. It is during these times we ______ other people in our lives. When we feel shunned by some, we need that one individual who will come alongside of us and bring some warmth. We need that ray of warmth that equals hope. Amen!

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Charles Swindoll writes, “One plus one equals survival.”i

V. So, they can __________ each other – v. 12

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

I know that I don’t want to ________ into a strange city, or even on a mission’s trip without having another person with me. I want to know that I have someone watching my back.

We are living in some ___________ times! Do you agree?

The Preacher writes,

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

We are also in need of ________ protection. We have a real _______, and his desire is to kill, steal, and to destroy. We need friends to help us walk through those times when we are under spiritual attack. Something that we will all face at some point in time. We need friends that will remind us to keep our ______ on Jesus, and to lean heavily upon the _______ Spirit. Friends who will ______ for us, and with us. Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe writes,

Wrap-Up

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i Charles Swindoll, Living On The Ragged Edge, Word Books Publishers, P. 137