Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
(1 Samuel 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. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:1-4
Key Points
- The friendship between David and Jonathan was special; they were united by a common passion, a common purpose, and a common person.
- After Jonathan’s death, David remained committed to the covenant of their friendship by treating Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, as his own family.
- We learn from their story what it means to be a good friend and why friendship is so important in the life of the believer.
- David invited Mephibosheth to sit at his table and enjoy the benefits and blessings of his home. In the same way, Jesus has invited us, as imperfect people, to sit at his table, as his friends, to share in all the blessings and promises he has to offer.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
questions for reflection
- What does friendship mean to you? Pause to consider what role friendship has played in the various stages of your life. What role will friendship play in your future?
- Assess your friendships. Which friendships are centered around the Lord? Which are not? What are the greatest differences between these two types of friendships?
- David and Jonathan shared a common passion – to see God’s will be done in Israel. They shared a common purpose – to support and encourage one another. They shared a common person – God. The beauty of Christian friendship is that it’s not about the friendship, it’s about someone else. Jesus brings a unity and a love into friendship that we find nowhere else.
- Do you consider Jesus a friend? Why or why not?
- Activity: Take a moment to listen to the old hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Journal your thoughts on the song and think about where we see Jesus being this type of friend in Scripture.
- As you think about what role friendship will play in your future, and how you will center those relationships around Jesus – ask yourself, who can I dive in deeper with?
Pray
Lord, thank you for the gift of friendship. Thank you for preserving the story of David and Jonathan’s friendship in Scripture for us to learn from. Your Word reminds us that we were created in your image and designed to live in relationship with you and others. We ask that you help us examine our friendships and give us discernment about them. We ask that you reveal to us any unhealthy relationships that we are involved with and give us wisdom to know how to navigate them. Please help us use our friendships to build your kingdom and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name, amen!
