How Should We Develop Biblical Friendships?

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend,” Proverbs 27:17 tells us. God uses Christian friendships to help His children grow in grace and stay true to Christ. But our twenty-first-century Western culture values individualism, busyness, and selfishness—qualities that do not encourage deep, long-lasting, satisfying friendships.

The authors guide us through a practical survey of biblical and historical friendships, drawing principles from them that will aid us in forming our own biblical friendships that will sharpen us for our Christian journey in a world that is no friend to grace.

Contents:

Friendship in the Holy Scriptures 

            - Paul’s Understanding of Friendship 

            - Paul’s Friendship with Timothy 

            - Paul’s Hunger for Companionship while Facing Death

Friendship in the Christian Tradition

            - John Calvin’s Friendships 

            - An Eighteenth-Century Friendship

            - Two Baptist Friends 

The Art of Building Godly Friendships

Practical Steps Toward Deepening Friendship