Loneliness
OPENING THOUGHT
What is a “friend?”
According to the Native Americans, he is “one who carries my sorrows on his back.”
A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. The winning definition read, “A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
Santayana said, “One’s friends are that part of the human race with which one can be human.”
The Bible defines a friend as “one who is as your own soul” (Deut. 13:6; cf. 1 Sam. 18:1).
It was the Creator who declared that it is not good for us to be alone (Gen. 2:18). We are by nature social beings. Therefore, loneliness is a problem. We all need friendship in our lives.
If you’re feeling lonely, take heart! God has solutions!
EXPLORING THE TEXT
Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 27:5-6, 9-10, 17
How has social media affected our idea of friendship?
The wise man says, “A friend loves at all times.” Can you have friendship without love?
What are some of the times you need your friends the most?
Is being popular the same as having close friends?
Will the friend always tell you what you want to hear? What kind of counsel will a true friend give you?
Proverbs 6:34-35
What effect does jealousy have on relationships?
When you become jealous, what happens to your ability to reason or forgive or understand? Will you accept any “compensation”?
Have you ever struggled with “fear of missing out” (FOMO)?
John 15:12-17; 16:32
What is the nature of the greatest love?
Who is the most important friend you can make?
How does one become friends with Jesus?
How does friendship with God help when you are alone? When you feel that everyone else has deserted you, is God enough?
A sufficient, satisfying relationship with God doesn't happen overnight. What are some daily practices that will help us deepen this friendship?
Philippians 4:2-3
Paul calls out two sisters in the church—Euodia and Syntyche—and tells them to “agree in the Lord.” apparently, they were quarreling and the disagreement was affecting the peace in the whole congregation.
What's the significance of his instruction for them to agree “in the Lord” and his reminder that they had “labored side by side” together in the gospel?
Think about your closest friends. Where did you meet them? Were you pursuing friendship, or did you encounter them while pursuing a higher purpose?
C.S. Lewis writes, “…those pathetic people who simply “want friends” can never make any. The very condition of having friends is that we should want something else besides friends. Where the truthful answer to the question Do you see the same truth? would be “I see nothing and I don’t care about the truth; I only want a friend,” no friendship can arise—though affection of course may. There would be nothing for the friendship to be about; and friendship must be about something, even if it were only an enthusiasm for dominoes or white mice. Those who have nothing can share nothing; those who are going nowhere can have no fellow-travellers.”
