Sunday
Circles
Building Your Family With Friends
Church On
The Rock
Gtcotr/sc01112015
Prayer
Hymn: Amazing Grace
Memory Verse: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the
gift of God.
Lesson: Friendships
Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of first principle
First Principle: Always offer
personal encouragement.
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a man sharpens the
countenance of his friend.
Encouragement
and discouragement both release power.
One
releases the power for a person to move forward.
The
other releases power to make a person move backwards.
Question: Discuss the
importance of thinking before talking.
Follow up Question: Discuss how the
same truth can be shared in both a negative and a positive way.
Conclusion: Think before you
talk. The same truth can be shared in a positive and encouraging way or in a
negative and discouraging way. For example, when talking to a lost person, we
can say either, “you are going to hell if you don’t change,” or “you can go to
heaven if you will change.” Both of these are the same truth. One is bad news.
One is good news. One encourages. The other discourages.
Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of second principle
Second Principle: Always give Godly counsel.
*If asked
*If in a
position of authority
*Only from the
Word
Scripture Reference: Psalms 119:105 Thy word is lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.
Question: What is the
difference between a lamp and a light?
Follow Up Question: What are some
reasons we should stick to the Word of God when counseling others?
Conclusion: The Bible provides
a solid foundation upon which we can stand when all the world around us is
unstable. God will give us scriptures which will provide a lamp to show us our
next step and a light which shines farther down the road so that we can
maintain some sense of direction, purpose, and security. Only God knows the end
from the beginning and, therefore, it is vital that we represent His will to
others with our counsel. Godly counsel should be given when solicited or when
we stand in a position of authority which demands we speak.
Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of third principle
Third Principle: Always keep your opinions to yourself.
Scripture Reference:
1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about
from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they
ought not.
Unless
you are talking to someone who is a part of the problem or to someone who is a
part of the answer, it is only gossip.
Everyone
has an opinion and most people love to share and champion their own opinion.
Only
God’s opinion matters.
God
forbid someone actually take your advice when it runs contrary to God’s will.
Our
opinions, even when they come from a well meaning heart, are often destructive to
God’s overall plan.
It’s
best to keep your opinion to yourself, especially when unsolicited.
Question: What is the
difference between opinion and counsel?
Follow Up Question: What should we do
when someone begins to feed us gossip and opinion about others?
Conclusion: God’s word is never
confused, uninformed, or emotionally driven. However, our opinions often are. Discussing
other people’s problems with those who are neither a part of the problem nor a
part of the cure delivers destructive potential to already troubled situations
of life. It is best to pray for others and share your opinions only with God so
that He and His Word can clear our thoughts.
Pastor Ron’s closing remarks
·
Connect Cards;
Offering and Prayer
·
Memory Verse
·
Pre-Praise &
Worship Prayer
will be in the Sanctuary Studio. Worship will begin in just a few minutes.
