1 – Solid Foundation

What you believe determines how you behave.

 Right actions are rooted in right belief.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵ Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. ²⁶ But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷ When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” ²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.” (Matthew 7:24-29)

1.  … Read the rest

6 – Choosing Friends

Big Idea:show me your friends and I’ll show you your future. 

Theme verse:“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12)

Be the kind of friend you would want to have.

1. Be a friend who cares.

5 – Friends Fight

Big Idea:show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12)

“Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. … Read the rest

4 – Friends [Re]Build Trust

Big Idea: show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.

Theme verse: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12)

1.  Trustworthiness is rooted in a willingness to forgive.

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.… Read the rest

3 – Friends Come First

Big Idea: Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.

Theme Verse: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12)

Once you learn that the world doesn’t revolve around you, you will become a better friend.… Read the rest

2 – Friends with your Fam

Big Idea: Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.

Theme Verse: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12)

Sacrifice – Loyalty – Love

1.     No family is perfect.

•  Favorite kid syndrome

“Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age.… Read the rest

1 – Who is in Your Circle?

Big Idea: Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.

Theme Verse: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12)

• Allies: people that cooperate with or help each another in a particular activity.

4 – Comparison

Theme Verse: “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2)

Christ hasn’t called us to want other people’s lives, or to compare our lives to theirs; He has called us to follow Him.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God.… Read the rest

3 – Criticism

Theme Verse: “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…”  (Hebrews 12:2)

We can either focus on what people who don’t really know us think about us, or we can focus on what God, who has always known us, thinks about us.

“Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by ⁶⁷ and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.… Read the rest

2 – Circumstances

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2)

Big Idea:When all you can see are your circumstances, you miss out on what Jesus is doing all around you.

“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. ²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. ²⁴ Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. … Read the rest