Weekly Discussion Guide

1. Open with prayer. (2-5 min)
2. Read John 15:12-15.
3. Discuss these questions with your group. (20-45 min)

MY STORY | Starting Place
Describe your best friend. What makes your connection with this person special? (7-10 min)

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:12-14)

What is unique about the way Jesus loves us? How can we imitate this type of love in our relationships?

React to the following sentence: “Jesus’ love language is obedience.”

How does doing what Jesus says show Him that we love Him?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

Can friendships be so deep that they can be called covenantal?
[By covenantal we mean that you make promises to one another, like always keeping certain things confidential or granting permission to look into each other’s blind spots and describe what’s there.]

Describe what a covenant might look like for you and your friend. How would the clarity of a covenant provide increased transparency and better health to the relationship?

What traits make a good friend? How many of these traits do you have in your friendships? Of all of them, which is the strongest?

On a scale of one-to-ten, describe the intimacy level of your friendship with God. What would it take to raise that up one level?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith In Action
Deepen one of your friendships this week by raising your vulnerability level with that friend (presuming there’s a deep level of trust between you).