The Affirming Friend
Here’s a recap of the past lesson from Checkpoint (our Wednesday night Bible studies).
- Jesus–Compassionate Friend (10.6.2010)
- Jonathan–Selfless Friend (10.13.2010)
- Barnabas–Affirming Friend (10.20.2010)
During last weeks lesson on Affirming Friends, we looked at 2 aspects of this:
- Being a friend the builds up rather than tears down
- Being a friend that doesn’t give up on your friends.
After Paul’s conversion (Acts 9), he had no “home”. Very few people wanted him around because of what he did before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. First, Ananias questioned God, but ultimately took Paul in. Then, when Paul wanted to meet with the believers they were afraid and only let him in when he was accompanied with Barnabas.
Ananias and Barnabas didn’t judge Paul by his past mistakes, but forgave him and walked by him with patience and love.
Paul needed a safe place. Paul needed people who would love him, forgive him, and walk beside him. Imagine what would have happened with Paul if God would not have provided him with those people.
Is the Mid-County Youth Group a place where people can feel accepted, and not judged? Can it be their “safe place”?
