Text: 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good character...” APC YOUTH

WHAT IS A FRIEND?  Computer Thesaurus  Pal, buddy, mate, companion, comrade, ally, chum, acquaintance etc.  Farlex Dictionary  A person whom one knows, likes and trusts  A person whom one knows, like acquaintance  A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause, a comrade

Quick Quotes  A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he/she knows you are slightly cracked  Friends are like wedgies, it feels great when you pick one out  A true friend is one who knows all about you but likes you any way  Friendship is like money, easier made than kept  Love is blind. Friendship tries not to notice  Friends are like thighs – they are always sticking together  Friendship means a lot. U cry, I cry, U laugh, I laugh, U jump off the cliff, I.... Look down and then... I laugh some more

Key principles of the Bible

1. Real friendship involves face to face honesty  Exodus 33:7-11  God and Moses talked face to face just as friends do.

2. Real friendship involves loyalty  Proverbs 17:17  A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need  Proverbs 16:28 ... And a gossip separates close friends

3. Friendship involves commitment  1 Samuel 18: 1-4  Jonathan made a special vow to be David’s friend

4. Friendship involves love  John 15:12  A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another as I have loved you  Romans 13:9  Love others as you love yourself  1 Corinthians 13:4-7  Love is patient etc.

5. Friendship involves sacrifice  John 3:16  We may not have to die for someone but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love like listening, helping, encouraging, giving.

Why should we choose wisely? Be slow in choosing a friend, be slower in changing Benjamin Franklin

Choosing the wrong friends can cause: 1. Corruption  1 Corinthians 15:33  Corrupts good character  Proverbs 1: Destruction  Psalm 41:9  Even my best friend has turned against me 3. Violation  2 Samuel 13:11  Tempted to violate boundaries

Tips on choosing wisely 1. Seek God’s opinion first Pray and seek the Lord and ask God to help you choose the right people 2. Sieve your current ‘gang’ If you know that you are in a friendship that has caused you to compromise your principles LET THEM GO Do not fear being alone God is our constant friend and will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5) 4. Do not give in to peer pressure Not worth trying to be ‘cool’ if in the end you compromise your integrity and risk your friendship with God 5. Set your boundaries Your standards should be based on the Word and remember that real friendship is imitating Christ in our relationships

Exodus 33:11-23 ‘for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend’ God called Moses His friend and we are his friends too, if we truly seek and love Him Psalm 25:13 Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear Him. With them He shares the secrets of His covenant (John 15:15) Can I be a friend of God?

How can I be a true friend? Look at Jesus’ concept Matthew 5:43-47 Love both friends and enemies If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Jesus expects us his followers not only to love friends but also to love enemies (1 Cor 13:4-7)