We are all on the road to learning, growing and maturing in Christ-likeness. What an adventure that is! But even better - we are not told to do this alone. Ephesians 4:1-16 speaks about all Christians playing their part to encourage others to grow in maturity in Christ.

A Growing Maturity In Christ

“Good friendship changes everything” says author Phil Knox in his book, ‘Best of Friends’. More than that, he explains how vital friendship is when we follow Jesus because we cannot follow him alone. Church life can mean many things to many people, but at its heart is friendship with God and people. What does friendship mean to you? Who are your friends both inside and outside the church? What does true friendship look like? These questions and more will be explored over the coming weeks as we go deeper into a biblical understanding of friendship.

The Power Of Friendship

What makes someone your best friend? That can be a tricky question regardless of whether you are 5, 25 or 85, as sometimes you just don't know! So instead perhaps we should consider what are the best kinds of friendships, and how does Jesus show us in his own life this kind of friendship?

The Best Of Friendship

Do you ever feel the pressure of friendship? If so, why?  This pressure can be for many reasons - a lack of spare time or what is or isn't being said on social media are just two examples. But it is important to realise that spiritual opposition is fundamental in this pressure. The devil’s goal is to isolate us. God’s desire is for us to find community and flourish in our friendships.

The Pressure Of Friendship

Jesus had 12 close friends, His disciples, at the age of 30. Some people might consider that His greatest miracle! Joking aside, what does the Bible say about Jesus’s friendship among the 12 disciples? What happens when 12-15 meet up regularly to share life and grow in faith, and how does this benefit friendship?

Small Group Friendship

SBC is growing in cultural diversity, but this is also true of our town and wider community. What does it look like to build friendships among different languages, faiths and cultural differences? How can the good news of Jesus be shared within those friendships?

One of the blessings of community life at church is the wide range of ages often present when we get together. It’s probably one of the distinct characteristics of church life. While we gather from different generations, how well do we know one another? We speak a lot about friendship, but is that possible across generations? The Bible says a lot about an older generation investing in the younger and the younger ones inspiring those in their elder years. In the last of our series on friendship, we look at the story of Moses as an inspiration for friendship between generations.

Friendship Among Generations

Church. God’s community. Different characters, personalities and life experiences, but gathering to grow in faith and follow Jesus. This is what belonging to a church is about. Do you belong to a church, and if so how? 

Church - How Do You Belong?

Silence is a rare thing these days. We are often surrounded by noise and bustle so it is good to take a couple of minutes to pause and be thankful for those who have given their lives to protect our country. But what other thoughts and emotions will pass through your mind in that reflective silence? We live in troubled times but are not the first to do so. In Romans 8, Paul talks about 'our present suffering', so let's explore his thoughts to see how, as present-day followers of Jesus, we might respond to the problems around us. 

Remembrance

Shirley Baptist Church is a thriving, contemporary evangelical church, with an emphasis on Scripture, faith and mission, working out its purpose in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Pressure Of Friendship

Shirley Baptist Church

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