Thanks for coming to the five15 BIG MEETING on Sunday. I preached the fourth message in our Drivers Ed series entitled Yield: Proverbs on Friends. We started by coming up with lists of what should you look for in a friend. Here are some of the lists we came up with:

1. Loyal
2. Prays for you
3. Holds you accountable
4. Will tell you if you have brocolli in your teeth
5. Laughs with and at you

1. Loyal
2. Has money and will buy you Starbucks
3. Will speak the truth to you
4. Is willing to correct you
5. Is in your business

1. Will tell you the truth
2. Is dedicated to Christ
3. Carries your burdens with you
4. Loyal
5. Listens

1. Is concerned for your well-being
2. Shares your interests
3. Someone you can talk to
4. Challenges you
5. Will share their mints with you

1. Is honest & loyal (Wait, that’s two things!)
2. Remembers your birthday
3. Is focused on God and prays for you (Two things again!)
4. Will correct you
5. Serves you with their time

Then we looked at Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” In other words, a good friend influences others towards God and godliness.

So we have to ask: who is influencing you? And how are you being influenced? Is it towards God and godliness or away? Mark Dever explains:

“According to Proverbs, the wise and godly person also pays heed to his or her friends are. The book is full of talk about friendship, and we find that friends fall into one of two camps: good or bad.”

In other words, being a friend and having a friend is a little bit like being in a car on a hill with no brakes. You can push the accelerator and drive up the hill, or you can roll backwards down the hill, but there is no standing still. Friends are like that in that they are always helping us move towards God and godliness or away.

Here are some questions to help you evaluate this. Discuss these with your parents; be honest, and tell them what you really think.

• What are five words that you think describe what a friend should be or do?
• What qualities do you look for when you’re choosing friends?
• What is your goal in friendships? What do you hope to get out of your friendships?
• Make a list of the friends you feel closest to. Next to each name write a description of what affect that friend has on you.
• Are there any changes you think God is calling you to make in your friendships?
• What kind of friend are you? What is the effect of your friendship on other people? What is one way you could be a better friend to others?
• Ask your parents, “What do you think of my friendships?” Be humble, listen well.

Categories: Drivers Ed, five15 blog