Christ-Centered Friendships

Christ-Centered Friendships
Author: Ian Young, Middle School Director
Through Think & Thin - Part 7
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While in college, I was part of a ministry that offered “life groups.” In these groups, people got together, enjoyed each other’s company, prayed for one another, and studied Bible passages. During one semester, I had an evening class that ended about 30 minutes before my life group, and after every class, I would walk directly over to where the group was being held. This was my routine.

My friend Connor, who I had that evening class with, knew I was part of a life group. However, a friend of his that sat next to us, Vic, did not. So on our way out of class one evening, Connor asked me if I was going to Bible study. It really shocked Vic. I would later learn that Vic thought I was a stereotypical “frat boy” because of how I looked and dressed.

Vic, who was a Christian, soon started coming to the life group with me. Fast forward a few years—he was a groomsman at my wedding and is still someone who I consider to be one of my closest friends. I believe our friendship grew and is as strong as it is because, as Arch shared on Sunday, “Christ-centered friendships are the best friendships.”

Philippians 2 teaches that Christ-centered friendships “adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus” and look out not only for their own interests “but also for the interests of others.” They “do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit” and humbly consider others as more important than themselves. However, Christ-centered friendships can be challenging to find and difficult to maintain.

If you feel alone, like all you have around you are negative influences and bad friends, and it’s just you against the world—know that God sees you. He sees your desire for friendship and community, and God wants that for you. After all, it was God who said in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)

Also, I want to encourage you to pray. Ask God for a Christ-centered friendship. Look for opportunities to be that friend to someone else—you may be just the person they have been praying for.

– Matthew 28:18-20

In your friendships with other Christians, I encourage you to build relationships based on more than just your common interests, such as basketball, gardening, movies, etc. Those are great things that can add to the friendship, and activities that you can bond over and enjoy together.
Remember that the friendship you share with each person is a mission given to you by God to share His love and His Gospel.

As you go through this week, stay close to God, pray and be in His Word, and ask Him for opportunities to be a Christ-centered friend.