1.1 Discussion.Responses. Be a Friend
INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two discussions below.
Annika
Share a time of need when Jesus’ presence was with you.
There was a time when I felt really stressed and worried about what was going to happen next in my life. Everything seemed so uncertain, and I didn’t know what to do. During this tough time, I decided to spend some quiet moments praying and reading the Bible. As I did this, I started to feel a sense of peace and calm. It was like Jesus was right there with me, telling me that everything was going to be okay. This gave me a lot of comfort and helped me get through that difficult period.
Discuss your experiential devotional and your experience of being a friend.
When it comes to being a friend, I try to follow the example of Jesus. He was always kind, understanding, and patient with everyone. I think these are really important qualities to have as a friend. For instance, when my friends are going through tough times, I make sure to listen to them and offer my support. Sometimes, just being there for someone can make a big difference. I also try to encourage them and remind them that they are not alone. These experiences have not only made my friendships stronger but have also helped me grow in my own faith.
Ashley
Share a time of need when Jesus’ presence was with you.
a. Discuss your experiential devotional and your experience of being a friend.
A time I clearly and vividly felt the presence of Jesus was when I was very ill with non-stop vomiting for days. I have never been so acutely ill as this time. I was in agony as my body was wracked with pain and I could not move. I was lying on the floor in my bathroom, too weak to even sit up or reach out to someone for help. I was in this state for two days. I remember thinking the only thing I could do was pray and I started praying harder, more fervently, and even cried aloud for Jesus to help me. I was at my end as far as I could tell, delirious with fever and dehydration. I don’t know how accurate this was, but my condition felt grave. Shortly after pleading out for help from Jesus, I felt a calm come over me and my pain lessoned. It was very soon after that I was able to get up, get some water, and was on the way to recovery shortly afterwards. It felt like a small miracle at the time. Jesus was a friend to me in my time of need.
Friendship has always been extremely important to me. I remember my best friend had a saying: “to have a friend, you have to be a friend.” I didn’t always practice being a good friend. I would let my wants and needs take precedence. I would “drop” a friend like a hot potato the second I got into a relationship, not realizing how hurtful this was to the friendship. Another bad habit I had was isolating myself and turning down offers for socialization during difficult times, without explaining my reasons. I thought, ‘no one wants me around if I’m down,’ but I had a friend tell me she felt like I was shutting her out and not giving her the chance to give me help and support. She felt rejected.
As we age, friendship becomes more valuable than ever. Spouses can leave or die; children move away and have their own lives, but friends can last for a lifetime. The way I show my friends that I care, is to tell them I care about them, that I love them. Or it might be buying a small gift if I come across something I know they would like. But I think the best way though, is to spend time together and to listen when they want to talk. I have a habit of not being fully present with people sometimes, because I’m always so busy, but I have been consciously trying to change this. I want to give people, whether my family members or friends, my full and complete undivided attention. This conveys that I care about them and what they have to say is important to me and a way for me to be there for them emotionally. I can’t solve anyone’s problems, but they don’t have to face them alone.
