The more quality time we spend with a friend, the better and deeper the relationship usually gets.
God refers to a several people as friends in the Bible and Jesus calls his followers his friends. Is it possible to have a deep friendship with the Creator? Find out here.
“God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.” Col 1:22b
Story:
Maybe you consider God to be the ultimate authority figure. Many people do. But consider this short remembrance by Jerry Ousley and see how he moved from authority figure to friend.
When I was a kid I loved my Dad. He provided for his family and he worked hard. He was there despite difficult times. He was also there to correct us if we needed it (and I needed it a lot). I’ll never forget the “thwep, thwep, thwep” sound of his belt pulling through the loops of his pants because that was his chosen method of punishment. He didn’t beat us and he didn’t abuse us with that belt. But it became his symbol of correction when we had done wrong.
I don’t think it hurt me any and in fact helped to mold my life to what it is today. As an adult I learned more about my Dad. He became my friend. For a while we worked at the same factory, rode to work together and ate lunch together. I got to know him a little better and our relationship went beyond father and son. That’s what God wants to do with us. Yes we respect Him. Yes we worship Him. But He also wants to be more than a god, He wants to be our friend. (Friend of God by Jerry Ousley; 6/03/2010; Christian Living)
Bible Intro:
There are many times in the Bible where God references someone as being his friend. This story is about an incident in Moses’ life while leading God’s people, Israel. See if you can catch where the view of God shifts from one of authoritarian to one of friend. Of course, none of us are Moses, but is it possible that God wants a friendship with us, and that’s why he tells us this story about his friend, Moses?
Scripture: Exodus 33:1–23
Personal Questions:
- Why does Jesus decide to call you his friend? What is he asking for in return? Do you think this is worth it to be friends with Jesus?
- How does someone become a friend to God? Is this ‘message’ about Christ something you’ve ever told another one of your friends?
- What does a friendship with God look like? For you, what would be a benefit of a friendship with God?
- Have you ever considered yourself to be an enemy of God? How does it feel to know that’s how God saw us? What changes that relationship from enemy to friend? How does it feel to be called God’s friend?
Continue interacting with this topic here.
Prayer:
Try using the words from Psalm 25 as a ‘thank you’ to God for allowing us to know him as a committed, protecting friend:
Teach me your ways, O LORD; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves me. I always trust in you. Remember, O LORD, your kindness and constant love which you have shown from long ago. Forgive the sins and errors of my youth. In your constant love and goodness, remember me, LORD!
