BIG IDEA

A lifeline friend continues Jesus' mission.

MESSAGE NOTES:

WHAT:

Have you ever had a hard time cracking through the surface of acquaintance to friendship?

Have you ever thought about the level of your friendships?

SO WHAT:

No one wants surface friendships.

You grow your depth by growing your purpose for friendship.

Jesus' mission in Luke 4: To bring good news to the poor, To release captives, To have blind people see, To set free the oppressed, To show that God's favor is here.

Grace, love, and redemption for all people is our mission.

Jesus continues his mission through his friends.

NOW WHAT:

Here's how you can have deeper, more enriching friendships:

1. See your friendships through the lens of friendship with Jesus.

2. Join Jesus' continued mission in how you lead your friends.

3. Pick up on what's important to them.

4. Do something thoughtful.

5. Ask them how you can pray for them.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q1: What level are your friendships at?

Q2: What is the purpose of your friendships?

Q3: Is grace, love, and redemption your mission in your friendships? If not, why would this be a good goal?

Q4: John 15:12-17 ESV '"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Do you feel like Jesus is a friend to you? If so, how is He a good friend?

Q5: Do you see your friends through the lens Jesus sees you? What would that look like?

Q6: How would it help your friends to change from "You do you." to "Hey there's a better way, and that better way is Jesus."?

ACTION: Text your closest friend tonight and ask how you can pray for them.