Choose Friendship

Choose Friendship

January 29, 2023

Series: Friendship Essentials

Jason Cusick

Jason Cusick

Audio Download

Listen to Messages

Recent studies have revealed a growing epidemic in the realm of friendships: people are reporting having fewer friends or even no friends and feeling less satisfied with the friendships they do have. Is there anything we can do to reverse this trend? A great place to start would be to realize that Jesus called his followers his “friends” and lived a life defined by great friendships. As a Jewish man in first-century Palestine, we know he would have read the Bible book of Proverbs, a collection of time-tested wisdom that includes powerful insights on friendship. During this five-week series, we’ll see how the Proverbs Jesus loved can help us improve our ability to give and receive friendship and how we can be counted among Jesus’ friends.

Group Discussion Guide

To see the leader guide for this week CLICK HERE

Introduction

Spend a few minutes making sure everyone is has a chance to get to know each other, especially if there are new people. Discuss with your group how winter break was for them. What were the highs and lows?

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.

Key Verse for the Week

1 John 4:7  “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”

Read this verse to your group first, then encourage the practice of memorization throughout the week.

Opening

Friendships are easier when people are young because we don’t have much say in what happens in our lives. Our parents or guardians determine where we live and go to school so our options of who we are friends with are mostly limited to those around us. As we grow older, however, we begin the process of being able to choose our friendships a little more intentionally. For adults, this is both a blessing and a curse. We can choose who our friends are now, but now we have so many options and so little time because of work, family, hobbies, etc. For many, this can cause a sense of loneliness in their lives because they have either fewer friends or no friends at all. Jesus has something to say about this. As we start this series on Friendship Essentials, we will be looking at how to pursue, establish, and build healthy friendships together. Let’s start by looking at one way Jesus and his followers thought about and acted within friendships by looking at our big idea for the week.

Big Idea for this week
We can be intentional about our friendships. 

Connect

  • What have your friendships looked like throughout your life?
  • Why do you have the friends you have now?
  • What hesitancies or barriers do you have when thinking about being intentional in friendships?

Unpack

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions.

READ

  • Mark 12:30-31
  • Philippians 2:1-4

DISCUSS

  • What do you think loving your neighbor as yourself means?
    • How could people living like this change the role loneliness has in people’s lives? How could this change the way that people see friendships?
  • If you are comfortable, share what role loneliness has played in your life.

READ

  • John 15:9-14

DISCUSS

  • In these verses, Jesus describes some of the qualities he sees as being essential for great friendships. What role does intentionality play in the challenges he’s describing?
  • What does it mean to love another person in friendship?
  • Do you think about your spiritual life as a friendship to God? Why or why not?
    • What do you think friendship with God looks like?

Apply

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group in order to determine what your personal action steps for the week can be:

  • How could the verses we have read tonight help you improve the way you think about and/or act in your friendships?
  • How can you use what we have learned to improve your current friendships this week? What about to start a new friendship?
  • What parts of your friendships or your mindset towards friendships could use more intentionality? How can you be more intentional in these areas this week?

Closing

To close this week’s discussion, we want each person to experience what being intentional in your friendships can look like practically. Giving someone encouragement can be the first or next step in your journey towards intentional friendships – both inside and outside of your group. Being able to vocalize what we value about others is a great way to show intentionality.

If comfortable, have each person share a sentence or two about something encouraging that you notice about someone in your group. You can share something specific or general, about one person or multiple, depending on your level of comfort. This can be an extended thought or just a few words of encouragement for the group.

If you are a brand new group, go around and give examples of ways you would want someone to be intentional with you in your friendships. What are some steps you could take to do these things in your life toward others?

Prayer and Verses

Afterward, ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer, then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group.

Daily Bible Reading

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below.

Scripture: Read the verses several times out loud.
Observation: As you read the scripture, what do you observe?
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do or feel based on what you have read?
Pray: This is a chance to pray about what you have read and learned.

  • Day 1: Proverbs 17:17
  • Day 2: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
  • Day 3: Luke 6:31
  • Day 4: Hebrews 10:24-25
  • Day 5: Galatians 6:2
  • Day 6: 1 Peter 4:8-9

info@journeyoffaith.com

(424) 327-6500

1243 Artesia Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Facebook Instagram Youtube Shield-alt

M & L

  • Starting New Churches and Meeting Community Needs
  • The Middle East

Partner Info

Serving in the Middle East, M. and L. are passionate about reaching people who’ve never heard about Jesus. Through their mission organization, they help send and train new church planters to serve in unreached areas.

M. works as an Associate Director, equipping refugees with the tools they need to start faith communities of their own. Together, M. and L. care deeply for the refugee population in their neighborhood—helping families find stability, get kids into school, and experience the hope found in Jesus.

Prayer Requests

  • For M to have favor with the local government as he continues to collaborate with them for his ministry.
  • That the Lord would bring L all the right people for her to minister to

PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Partner Info

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

Prayer Requests

  • That God would protect the technology used to support the bible translation in remote areas
  • For Paul and Holly’s physical and spiritual health and wellbeing

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Partner Info

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

Prayer Requests

  • That the new missionaries thrive on the field through the support of Wycliffe
  • That the mentorship of Beth and Jerry would continue to be meaningful and fruitful to the new missionaries

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

Partner Info

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

Prayer Requests

  • That God would be working through Tom and FCA to make His name known to the youth in the South Bay.
  • For FCA to continue to pour its resources into each student to elevate the gospel in their school

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

Partner Info

Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

Prayer Requests

  • That their ministry leaders can navigate cultural shifts.
  • For God to soften the hearts of the local people for them to receive the gospel.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

Partner Info

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

Prayer Requests

  • That they would be able to enter five new communities in the next four years.
  • For continued and new partners to help support their ministry

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Partner Info

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

Prayer Requests

  • For Barbara to continue to provide support and care to missionary kids going through important life transitions.
  • That God would continue to provide her ministry with helpful resources, tools, and educational materials.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

Partner Info

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

Prayer Requests

  • That L and K to continue to see success in their partnerships with local people/businesses.
  • For God to bring them strong team members to serve alongside.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

Partner Info

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

Prayer Requests

  • That the Lord would bring the right people to R.E.S.T. ministry to be spiritually and physically rejuvenated.
  • For Tim and Ericka to continue to foster and grow their gift of hospitality

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Partner Info

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

Prayer Requests

  • For Mark and Branda’s church to continue to positively impact their local community.
  • That God would foster opportunities for His name to be known.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

Partner Info

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

Prayer Requests

  • That Rich and Debbie would continue to utilize God’s discernment as they grow their ministry.
  • For their many local leaders to continue to be empowered through SOS’s support and ministry.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

Partner Info

Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

Prayer Requests

  • That their disciple-making ministry would continue to grow.
  • For the local students, who are pursuing an education in English, to be receptive to receiving the word of God.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

Partner Info

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. They hope to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

Prayer Requests

  • For their ministry to continue to flourish.
  • That they would have minimal obstacles with their local government

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Partner Info

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

Prayer Requests

  • For a continual positive partnership with LA County.
  • For the physical and mental well-being of his ministry recipients, and that their hearts would be open to hearing the gospel.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Partner Info

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

Prayer Requests

  • For personal health and safety.
  • That Estonian church leaders would be receptive to the leadership and training Bill and his team provide.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

Partner Info

Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

Prayer Requests

  • For continued safety when visiting project teams.
  • For God’s word to continue to prevail over translation obstacles.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Partner Info

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns can care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

Prayer Requests

  • To continue to thoughtfully care for ministry workers with counseling and spiritual direction.
  • For personal wisdom for Denise and Dennis

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Partner Info

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, and monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

Prayer Requests

  • To achieve effective local outreach.
  • To support the ongoing growth of their school.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.