SEPTEMBER 2016: Worked with the leadership team to produce devotional materials for both personal study and group reflection for RISE City Church. 

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“Joy in Friendship” Philippians 1:3-12

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” Philippians 1:3-4

Sitting in a Roman prison with his death looming on the horizon, Paul opens his letter to the church at Philippi with great thanksgiving. The mere thought of his friends fills him with such joy, he continues praising God for them throughout the passage.

I don’t know about you, but my relationships don’t necessarily bring me this level of joy. In my friendships with others, I’ve encountered striving, experienced manipulation, and suffered abuses. I’ve hurt others, been selfish, and entertained bitterness. Not really lift-your-hands in gratitude worthy stuff.

However, Paul addresses the key to finding true joy in our friendships. It’s not about what we get out of the relationship or finding the perfect friends, but keeping Christ as our ultimate focus. This does not mean Christians should only befriend other Christians. On the contrary, we must simply remember this perspective with each and every person we encounter. Cultivating Christ-focused, joy-filled relationships involves three main components.

First, we must see others as Christ sees them. In The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis states, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit.” As we forge and cultivate friendships with those around us, we must remember we are not simply dealing with “other people.” We are entering into relationship with uniquely designed eternal beings, created in the image of God Himself, crafted for relationship with God Himself.

Next, we must seek out partners, not projects. For Christ followers, a new work has been initiated which Jesus will bring to completion. It is not up to us to “fix” our friends. We all desperately need the grace Christ so freely offers. Further, if we are to accept the mission of God and the work He is doing in our world, we cannot deny our role. There is much to be done, and it is far easier to shoulder the load together.

Lastly, we cannot use our friendships in place of our own relationship with Christ. We must allow ourselves to be filled “with the fruit of righteousness,” that comes directly through Jesus Christ. If we are not spending time with Him daily, we will come up empty. Emptiness demands filling, and we need to ensure we are filling ourselves in God’s presence.

In the end, there is no substitute for the deep joy knowing Jesus brings. Relationships that are not Christ-focused tend to become superficial and empty. We have to avoid the safety of the shallows with our friends and intentionally seek out opportunities to point them to Jesus. Afterall, our eternity in Heaven together is at stake.

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

Read Philippians 1:3-12

  1. What reasons does Paul give in being thankful for his friends in Philippi?
  2. Think of a friend in your life that brings you joy. Spend a moment listing his/her name and the reasons you have to be thankful for this person.
  3. In verse 9, Paul states, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.”  What role do you think knowledge and discernment play in growing love?
  4. Reread verses 6 and 9-11. According to these verses, in what ways does God work in a believer’s life?
  5. Knowing this, where have you seen (or where would you like to see) God at work in a relationship in your life?
  6. In cultivating Christ-focused friendships, which component do you find most difficult to live out: seeing others as Christ sees them, seeking partners over projects, or not using relationships as a substitute for one with Jesus, and why?
  7. How could you work on this in the future?

GROUP QUESTIONS

  1. What word best describes Paul’s feelings for the church at Philippi?
  2. What word best describes your feelings about Rise?
  3. Do you find it difficult to express your feelings for others as Paul does in this passage? Explain.
  4. Think of a friendship in your life that is primarily joy giving. Now, think of one that is primarily joy draining. What characteristics in each relationship mark the difference?
  5. Not all of the friendships in our lives are edifying, joy-giving relationships. When we follow Jesus, we grow in knowledge and discernment, “so that [we] may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Do you feel that it is ever appropriate to walk away from a friendship? Why or why not?
  6. In what ways are our friendships affected by how we feel about ourselves? How are they affected by our personal relationships with Jesus?

PRACTICING JOY – I thank my God in all remembrance of you

Look back to the friend you listed for Question 2. Take time this week to write a note, a letter, or even just an email, letting him/her know you’re thankful for the friendship and why.