Building Friendships That Last | Building Relational Bridges - Part 1 of 9
Channel: Vineyard Church
Date: 2021-01-08

Building Friendships That Last 

Building Relational Bridges - Part 1 of 9 



“It is not good for man to be alone.”  Genesis 2:18   



I.  TYPES OF FRIENDSHIPS   

·  Casual Friends are the result of circumstances.   

·  Close Friends are the result of choices.   



THEREFORE...  I NEED TO CHOOSE MY FRIENDS CAREFULLY.    



II.  DETERMINING MY CLOSEST FRIENDSHIP    

“A mirror reflects a man’s face but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.”  Proverbs 27:19 (GN)   



“A righteous man is cautious in friendships...”  

Proverbs 12:26    



Select close friends who will:   

1.  Stimulate me mentally.   

“He who walks with the wise grows wise.” Proverbs 13:20   

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”   

Proverbs 27:17    



2.  Support me emotionally.   

“A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17  

 “Bear one another’s burdens.” Galatians 6:2   



3.  Strengthen me spiritually.    

“Encourage one another and build each other up.”   

1 Thessalonians. 5:11   

“Spur one another on toward love and good works.”   

Hebrews 10:24   

 “I choose as my friends everyone who worships you and follows your teachings.” Psalm 119:63 (C.E.V.)        



III.  HOW TO BUILD FRIENDSHIPS   



1. Get Interested In Other People.   

“He who wants to have friends must show himself friendly.”  

 Proverbs 18:24   

“An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends.” Proverbs 18:1   



2. SMILE.   

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful!”  Proverbs 15:13 

“...I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!” Luke 2:10 (LB) 



3. Don’t Be A Chronic Complainer.   

“Do everything without complaining or arguing...” Phil. 2:14 (KJV)   



4. Accept People Unconditionally.   

“Accept each other, just as Christ accepted you.”   

Romans 15:7   

“A friend loves at all times...” Proverbs 17:17    



5. Help People Feel Significant.   

“Honor one another above yourself.”  Romans 12:10    



6. Sympathize.   

“Rejoice with those who rejoice.  Mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15   



7. Stick With Them In Tough Times.   

“There are ‘friends’ who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24 (LB)   

“Two are better than one because if one falls the other lifts him up. Pity the man who is all by himself when he falls.”  

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10