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Christlife Posture: Loving Like Jesus

Topic: Developing An Adult Support System

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Suggested Approach: Choose 1 thing from each of the three boxes

OR Choose 1 from Media or Reflection + 1 from Scripture 

Media Excursions      (Watch/read/listen and be ready to discuss Q's)

Photographs

  • There are many ways supportive groups are depicted.  Which of these is the most powerful symbol of what a group of supportive friends provides? Why did you choose the one you did?  Photo 1  Photo 2  Photo 3 

Poster

  • Zero Percent (Bansky) What do you think this graffiti artist is trying to communicate with this poster? 

Video Clip

  • The Importance of Friendship and Community (CBN) What qualities of friendship stand out to you from these interviews?  Are you that kind of friend to others?  Do a bit of self evaluation.  What are the things you need to work on?

  • Friendship Algorithm (Big Bang Theory) This funny clip brings up the question of how much of making a new friend is “science” and how much is “art” or happens spontaneously.  What do you think the balance is between those two methods? Where does Jesus fit in with our pursuit of making new friends?

  • Skit: Wash My Feet (Onetimeblind) What kinds of comparisons do you tend to make when getting to know others? How does this come out in your conversations? What kind of hindrance could this be to making friends in a godly way?

Song

  • Every Minute (Sara Groves) This song talks about the preciousness of friendship in the context of a relationally disconnected culture.  Which images are appealing to you? How do you think you can proactively create moments like that with others?

Article 

  • Supportive Relationships (Robert and Daphene Baines) What do you think of the "platinum rule"? What practical insights were helpful for you in thinking about pursuing supportive friendships? 

  • Marriage Insights - Steps to Building a Safe Support System (Abraham Adenuga) The final piece of advice is to maintain a support system when you are through with a crisis.  That can also tell us that we should develop supportive relationships before we have a crisis.  What keeps you from developing a supportive network of friends? How does this article help you think about who might be a part of your support system?

  • Building Supportive Relationships through Communication (Family Works) Though this article is loosely aimed at parents of teens, the five levels of relationships are applicable to all.  How many of your relationships can operate at level four or five? A person with a support network would have at least two or three. With whom could you expand your support network?

Blog

  • How to Build Your Support System (Nozomi Morgan) The author lists several kinds of supportive relationships she has developed for support in her career objectives.  What kinds of support would you benefit from most? What kinds of support do you already have? 

Reflection Options  

Journal   (Reflect on one or more of these questions)

  • Try this diagraming exercise to reflect on your own support system: Personal Support System (Lucia Capacchione). 

  • Use this worksheet to evaluate your current support system: My Support System.

  • Reflect on support systems you see in scripture.  You might look at David, Daniel, the female disciples in Acts, Jesus & the disciples, or Paul).  What do you notice about them? Why were they important? 

Quote Interaction  (Agree, disagree or otherwise engage with the quote/quotes)

  • "To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” George MacDonald

  • "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’"  C.S. Lewis

Reading & Reflection from the book, Shaping The Journey of Emerging Adults:

  • Read the story of Emilio and Roberto (pp. 152-154). Has there ever been a time when you struggled to make friends? How easy was it for you to blame others? What did you learn about your own behavior that helped you get through that phase?

  • Mentor: Read the section on Friendships (pp. 146-148). Use that section to think of at least three questions you want to ask the young adult about how he or she is experiencing the challenge of friendship in their context.

Explore Scripture

Meditate on one or more of the following passages. Always look them up in context.  Take some time to really explore the verse in relation to this topic.  What insights can you find related to what to look for in a friendship or what to be in a friendship?  Make a note of what you discover to share later.  See "Learn More About Ways to Study Scripture" below for help in getting the most out of the verse.

  • 2 Samuel 23:13-17

  • Job 2:11-13

  • Proverbs 13:20

  • Proverbs 17:17 & 27:17

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

  • Luke 6:31-36

  • I Corinthians 10:24

  • Ephesians 4:29

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

  • Hebrews 10:23-25

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