Being a good friend is easy! As long as you make time to hang out, remember their birthday, and answer their texts, you’re eligible for the Great Friend Award . . . right? Friendship might feel easy when life is easy, but it gets more complicated when your friends are hurting or struggling. What should you do? What should you say? What should you not say? When our friends need help, there are no easy answers, but in this 4-week serieson Friendship, With You, we’ll follow the lead of a few people who’ve been there. Through the stories of Job, Ruth, Naomi, Elijah, Eli and Hannah, we’ll see how God invites us to “be with” people when they’re grieving, lonely, in need, or feeling hopeless, and how God is already with them.
It's kind of nice to be alone sometimes, you know? You can get some peace and quiet, go at your own pace, hear yourself think, and not have to worry about anyone else. Sometimes, being alone is refreshing! But being alone isn't the same as feeling alone. It's ironic how, even though we're more connected than ever through our devices, many of us are still feeling lonelier than ever. In the Bible, there's a book about two women named Ruth and Naomi who knew some things about loneliness. When Naomi lost her entire family, Ruth courageously chose to be with her during the loneliest time of her life. And through Ruth's relationship with Naomi, God did some pretty amazing things. So the next time you meet a "Naomi" (someone who is feeling alone, left out, or excluded), be a "Ruth." Because if we want someone to know God is with them, we can start by being with people when they're lonely.
Join us Thursday nights as we study from the Word of God to grow as the "sons and daughters of God." We also will take time out for some fun and games, relaxing and connecting with each other. See ya' there!!