Named, Part 9: Friend of God

John 15:9–17 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

⁹ “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ¹² This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ¹³ There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. ¹⁶ You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

A friend of God 

How to remain:  and 

A friend of God .

“Delayed obedience is disobedience.” – Rick Warren

A friend of God is .

A friend of God .

John 15:5–6 
⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

Small Group Questions

1. Who was your best friend growing up? 
2. What do you consider an important attribute of a friend? Share a quick story of why it’s important. 
3. Read John 15:9-17. What does Jesus consider as attributes of a friend? 
4. What has helped you experience friendship with God? Are you able to receive that name?
5. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?