Message Notes

YAG RETREAT 30 May 2005
Session #5
Monday Afternoon
Text: 2 Samuel 23:8-37; Acts 20: Romans 16; Philippians 2; Philemon
A Terrific Circle of Friends

1. Concept of a Circle of Friends

a) Circle- circumscribed in Christ

b) Genuine friends (not childhood friends)

c) Proven friends in and through serving together

d) Common Cause

i) Kingdom of Israel (David)

ii) Kingdom of God (Paul)

2. Honouring of the Circle of Friends (David)

a) Patriotism          2 Samuel 23:1-12

b) Personal          2 Samuel 23:13-17

c) Circle within a circle

i) Larger circle          2 Samuel 23:13 (“One of the thirty” 2 Samuel 23:24)

ii) Three mighty men          2 Samuel 23:17 (“Another three” 2 Samuel 23:18)

iii) The first three          2 Samuel 23:23

3. Honouring of the Circle of Friends (Paul)

a) Individuals- Women

i) Phoebe – “A helper of many”          Romans 16:2

ii) Mary – “Who laboured much for us”          Romans 16:6

b) Individuals – Men

i) Epanaetus – “The firstfruits of Achaia in Christ”          Romans 16:5

ii) Urbanus – “Our fellow-wokers in Christ”          Romans 16:9

iii)Epaphroditus – “My brother, fellow worker and fellow-soldier”          Philippians 2:25

iv) Philemon – “Beloved friend and fellow labourer”          Philemon 1

c) Family

Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,
who risked their own necks for my life…

Romans 16:3

Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow-prisoners
who are of note among the apostles

Romans 16:7

d) Younger Men

I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord

1 Corinthians 4:7

4. Cultivation of Friendship

a) Praying          Philemon 4

b) Keeping in touch          Philemon 5-6

c) Rejoicing          Philemon 7

d) Love          Philemon 7, 9

e) Nothing taken for granted          Philemon 9-20

f) Strength of friendship          Philemon 9-20 (Appeal on behalf of Onesimus)

5. Discussion

a) Are there such people, like the ones mentioned in the Scriptures, in the world?

b) Could we truly emulate the examples mentioned in the Scriptures?

c) How long does it take to develop such strong friendships?

d) Imagine the things that can be attempted and achieved by a terrific circle of friends!