2-- Tw 305 God Pleasing Friendship

Preparation for Heavenly Living Correspondence School http://www.geocities.com/bibleloverbill

TW 600 from PFHL 610 -- God-Pleasing Friendship (by Bill Stevenson on July 25, 2003) Directions:

Write an essay about God-pleasing friendship qualities. This assignment is worth 3 units, so write at least 4 quality pages (single spaced lines and no redundancies). What Does the Bible Say?

Note: There are many negative Scripture references in the Old Testament. However, in the New Testament, friendship and unselfish love compassion is emphasized. Samples of the first statement are found in Exodus 32:27, Deuteronomy 13:6 & 23:3-6, Judges 15:1-8, 2 Samuel 13:3-37 & 16:16-17:23, Ezra 9:10-12, Esther 5:14, Job 6:27, Job 12:4, Job 17:5, Job 19:14 & 19, Job 32:1-5, Psalm 31:11, Psalm 38:11, Psalm 41:9, Psalm 55:20, Psalm 109:4-5, Proverbs 14:20-21, Proverbs 16:28-30, Proverbs 17:9, Proverbs 19:4 & 6-7, Jeremiah 9:4-6, Jeremiah 20:10, Jeremiah 38:20-23, Lamentations 1:1-2, Obadiah 1:7, Micah 7:5-6, & Zechariah 13:4-6. But the New Testament doesn’t specify how to be a good friend or what are the characteristics of a God-pleasing friendship. So I have included appropriate items I had received via emails: 2 to start this course and 4 after the Bible study. Isaiah 41:8-9 James 2:20-24 Genesis 12:1-9 Genesis 17:1-24 2 Chronicles 20:5-7 Galatians 3:6-14 Exodus 33:7-17 1 Samuel 20:42 Proverbs 17:17 Proverbs 18:24 Proverbs 22:11 Job 2:11-13 Job 6:14 Job 12:4-5 Job 19:19-22 Job 29:1-5 Job 16:16-21 Job 19:23-25-Directions:

Job 42:7-16 Psalm 119:63-66 Proverbs 12:26 Proverbs 16:28 Proverbs 22:24-25 Proverbs 27:5-6 & 9 Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Luke 5:17-21 Luke 7:33-39 Luke 12:1-4 Matthew 26:47-50 Luke 21:12-19 John 15:9-17 & 21:1-5 Romans 12:17-20 1 Corinthians 10:11-14 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 2 Corinthians 12:19-21

Philippians 2:12-18 Hebrews 6:9-12 1 Peter 2:11-12 1 Peter 4:12-19 2 Peter 3 1 John 2:7-11 1 John 3:1-6 1 John 3:21-4:11 3 John Jude 1:3-4 Jude 17-25 James 4:1-6 Romans 12:1-3 1 Peter 2:11-12 1 John 2:15-17 Luke 14:12-14 Proverbs 17:17

Write an essay about the following:

>> >>> > A Friend.... A> >>> > B> >>> > C> >>> > D> >>> > E> >>> > F> >>> >

Accepts you as you are. Believes in “you”. Calls you just to say “Hi”. Doesn’t give up on you. Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts) Forgives your mistakes 1

G>>> > H>>> > I>>> > J>>> > K>>> > L>>> > M>> > N>> >

Gives unconditionally Helps you Invites you over Just “be” with you Keeps you close at heart Loves you for who you are Makes a difference in your life Never judges in a condemnatory way, but appropriately teaching discerning right and wrong) Offers support Picks you up by humor, encouraging, etc. Quiets your fears Raises your spirits Says nice things about you Tells you the truth when you need to hear it Understands you Values you Walks beside you X-plains things you don’t understand Yearns to maintain friendship Zaps you back to reality (not verbally or physically violently)

O> > P>> > Q>> > R>> > S>> > T>> > U>> > V>> > W>> > X>> > Y>> > Z> > • • >>> > A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift, • >>> > A friend is someone we treasure, for our friendship is a gift • >>> > A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy, and Grace • >>> > and makes the world we live in a better and happier place. Through Me [by Roy Lessin] Through me let there be kind words, a warm smile and caring heart. Through me let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand. Through me let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust, and loyalty. Through me let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and love. Through me let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.

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