Day 21 – Living Boldly: Describe Your Friendships

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One of the most influential aspects of your life is your friendships. The relationships you keep play a significant role in shaping who you are and how you grow in your relationship with God. Though you can do many things alone, sanctification is not one of those things. If you want to mature in Christ, you need mature friends who have the grace and courage to spur you on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Rick’s 31-Day Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Young Adult Devotion

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy (Proverbs 27:6).

Friendships That Point to God

The most important relationship in your life is with God, and your closest friendships should help you experience Him more deeply. A community of like-minded believers who encourage you to mature in Christ is a gift from on High. If your current friendships don’t provide this kind of care and encouragement, it might be time to reconsider who you’re spending the most time with and how they affect you.

While bad influences will corrupt your good morals 
(1 Corinthians 15:33), good friends can sharpen, shape, and strengthen you (Proverbs 27:17). Surrounding yourself with people who love God and want to glorify Him will help you grow spiritually and live a more rational and purposeful life.

Practical Questions to Deepen Friendships

Here are some questions you can use to strengthen your friendships. These conversation starters will help you and your friends be transparent about your walk with God and encourage each other to grow:

1. What has the Lord taught you lately, and how is it affecting your life positively?
2. How have you applied what He taught you to your life to have that positive impact? Be practical and specific.
3. What have you read or heard that is helping you in your walk with God? How is it helping you practically?
4. What specific areas are you struggling with, and how may I come alongside you to help?
5. How can I serve you in a particular area of your sanctification—something you want to mature in?
6. What are some ways in which you are leading your friends? What changes are you seeing in them?

These questions aren’t meant to intimidate or judge your friends but to help you build relationships centered on Christ.

Time to Reflect

1. How do you characterize your closest relationships? Are they helping you grow in your faith, or are they pulling you away from God?
2. Will you use these practical questions to strengthen your friendships? Commit to starting deeper conversations with one or two friends this week.
3. Take time today to pray for your friends, asking God to show you where you need to grow as a friend and to guide you toward relationships that will encourage you in your walk with Him.

Let’s live boldly, cultivating friendships that glorify God and help us mature in Christ.

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).