Some of the most influential people in our lives are undoubtedly the friends we surround ourselves with. If you need proof, pay attention to the way your closest friends have influenced how you dress, talk, and act. Indeed, we become like the prominent people we spend our time around. Because of the influence that our friends can have in our lives, Scripture teaches us to take seriously who we spend our time around, and we must encourage the children in our lives to do the same.
Who is one friend who has had a positive impact on your life for Christ?
1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:33. What does this passage of Scripture teach about the people we spend our time around, and how have you seen this to be true in your own life?
1 Corinthians 15:33
Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”
2. Read Proverbs 13:20-21. In your own words, summarize the teaching in this passage of Scripture.
Proverbs 13:20-21
20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. 21 Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.
3. Read Proverbs 22:24-25. How do angry, hot-tempered people impact us?
Proverbs 22:24-25
24 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
4. Read Proverbs 1:10-18. What is the warning in this passage of Scripture?
Proverbs 1:10-18
10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! 11 They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! 12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. 13 Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. 14 Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.” 15 My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. 16 They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. 17 If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. 18 But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed.
1. Based on the Scripture we read today, what kind of people do we need to spend our time around and encourage the children in our lives to spend their time around?
2. How are the people around you influencing you, for better or for worse?
3. What is one way you would like to grow when it comes to the kind of friend you are?
After the Scripture we have read today, what is one action step you can take to either surround yourself with godly friends or become a godly friend to the people around you? For example, you could remove someone who does not follow Christ from your sphere of influence, invite someone into your sphere of influence who is modeling their life after Christ, or take steps to become a godlier example. Whatever you decide, take steps starting today to surround yourself with godly influences and commit to being a godly influence as well.
Throughout our study today, we have discovered that our friends profoundly impact us, for better or for worse. Therefore, we must carefully consider who we allow into our spheres of influence if we want to honor God by the way we live our lives. Let’s take a moment to dive deeper into character traits that honor God in an effort to discover what type of people we should look for in friends.
Prideful people sow division and breed selfishness. Humble people think of others, serve the people around them, and seek to honor God above themselves. As a result, when looking for people to surround ourselves with, humility ought to be at the top of our list.
1. Read James 4:6-8.
James 4:6-8
6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
2. How does God respond to pride versus humility?
3. What is the result of acting in humility?
4. What does it look like in our world today to model humility?
In a world where the enemy spreads lies, followers of Christ are called to combat the lies of the enemy with truth. We are called to speak the truth, even when the truth can be hard to hear. Because we follow Christ, it is our responsibility to consistently speak the truth to those around us.
1. Read Proverbs 12:22 and Ephesians 4:14-15.
Proverbs 12:22
For The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
Ephesians 4:14-15
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
2. What is the danger of speaking lies and surrounding ourselves with those who speak lies?
3. How are we called to speak the truth, according to Ephesians 4:14-15?
4. What is the impact of speaking the truth and surrounding ourselves with people who speak the truth?
When Jesus came to earth, He demonstrated a deep love for the people He interacted with. He served, cared for, and showed great compassion for all people. As His followers, we, too, are called to treat people with His same compassion and surround ourselves with people who do the same.
1. Read Ephesians 4:31-32.
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
2. What stands out to you about how we are called to treat those around us?
3. What is the impact of following the instruction in this passage of Scripture?
4. What is at stake if we do not treat people with compassion?
After studying about characteristics that honor God, take a moment to reflect with your group.
In which of the areas that we looked at today do you need to grow: humility, honesty, or compassion? What step can you take today to begin growing in that area?
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