Scriptures to Study about Friendship:

Scripture has so many rich lessons for us to learn about Godly friendships and God’s heart for friendship. We have gotten you started with a few examples and questions to reflect on if you would like to use this month to dig into the Father’s heart for friendship.

Biblical Examples of Friendship

The Bible is filled with important examples to learn and live from and that includes several examples of friendships. Use this month to dig into the scriptures listed here asking yourself,”What can I learn about God’s heart for friendship from these scriptures?”

• Exodus 18:1-27 Jethro and Moses  Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice.”
  • What were the benefits of following this advice?
  • What reasons did Moses have for listening to Jethro?
  • Why might he have considered not listening to him?
• David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:1-5/ 23:15-18 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.- 1 Samuel 18:1
  • What traits of true friendship do we see modeled here? 
  • What other scriptures support the values played out in this example of true friendship?
• Ruth and Naomi Ruth 1:1-22 
  • What can we learn about empathy and friendship from this story?
  • Can we learn anything about cross-cultural friendships from the friendship of Ruth and Naomi?
• Elizabeth and Mary Luke 1:1-80 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.- Luke 1:39-40
  • What are the benefits of cross generational friendships that we can learn from Mary and Elizabeth. 
  • What was their response to each other’s joy? Do we respond similarly to other’s joy?
  • Imagine how your friendships can shape those in your circle of influence.
• Jesus, James, John, and Peter Mark 5:37 Mark 9:2-13 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. – Mark 5:37
  • What can we learn about different types of friendship from who Jesus surrounded himself with?
  • What can we learn of the Father’s heart for friendship If the Son of God, the one person who would not need others in his life, cultivated close friendships?