The Friend
Teaching Notes
4 Traits of a Good Friend
Constancy
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.Proverbs 14:20
Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
how much more do their friends avoid them!
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.Proverbs 19:4, 6-7
Friends love through all kinds of weather,
and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.Proverbs 17:17 MSG
Do not forsake your friend
Proverbs 27:10
Candor
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.Proverbs 27:6 NASB
To flatter friends
is to lay a trap for their feet.Proverbs 29:5
…his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?
1 Kings 1:6 KJV
Counsel
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice.Proverbs 27:9
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”
1 Samuel 23:17
And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
1 Samuel 23:6
As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.Proverbs 27:17
Common Sense
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.Proverbs 25:17
If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.Proverbs 25:17
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.Proverbs 25:20
Like a maniac shooting
flaming arrows of death
is one who deceives their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”Proverbs 26:18-19
Going Deeper
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 22:24-25
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20
You have probably heard it said, "the direction and quality of your life is directly related to the people you choose to spend time with," or "you become like the five people who are closest to you." We have all probably heard some version of that. In the verses from Proverbs above, we are affirmed that we tend to pick up habits, character, and values from the people we spend the most time with. We are heavily influenced by the people whom we call friends.
Apart from your current family members, who are your closest friends?
Were your parents protective of who you spent time with as a child? As you look back, are you glad
they were protective?Think about some of your greatest regrets. Were you in the company of friends or enemies?
Read Proverbs 13:20 above. How has this proverb been demonstrated in your life?
What is one tangible, intentional way you can practice “walking with the wise”?
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