Scripture

Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.    John 13:34

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.        Proverbs 17:17

I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.        John 15:15

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.    Romans 15:7

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.     1 Thessalonians 5:11

For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.     Matthew 18:20
Spiritual Friendship scriptures PDF

Sermon

We started by reviewing the spiritual practices of the last few weeks. Barb Smith-Morrison went on to talk about her experiences with Spiritual Friendships, friendships that are very deliberate in speaking about our spiritual state.

Sermon on spiritual friendship PDF

Spiritual Practice Suggestions

Jesus was never a Lone Ranger.   Spiritual formation is not a solo event!    Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

Questions for Reflection

1. Who is one person in your life that offers you a  safe, non-judgmental place where you feel like you are really listened to?
2.  Who is one person whom you  think you could talk to about your relationship with God, your  deepest longings – about your prayers, about whether God feels close or far away?
3. How comfortable are you talking about your relationship with God?
4. How able are you to deeply listen to another without offering advice or jumping in with your own stories? Are you willing to learn?

Spiritual Friendship

“As friends open their spiritual journeys to one another, they both step onto holy ground. Spiritual friends donate themselves to one another in love.”     A. A. Calhoun

What is a spiritual friendship or spiritual friendship group?

• A person or small group of people who help us pay attention to God’s presence and activity in our lives.
• People who ask “how is it with your soul?”
• A safe place and place of confidentiality.
• A place of honesty, questioning, lamenting, rejoicing, and wondering aloud.
• A place where silence is welcomed as well as words.
• A place for learning how to listen.
• A place where friendship goes deeper than information and opinion sharing.
• A place and time where our souls are cared for.

What happens within a spiritual friendship?

• Varies based on interest.
• Share about your life since you met last; invite others to listen for patterns, questions, emotions, etc. that may indicate how the Spirit of God is present to/within you
• Share faith stories.
• Share around a specific theme  – grief, prayer,etc.
• Use a book that helps you listen for and reflect on God’s presence in your life (eg., Companions in Christ series)
• Pray for each other.
• Serve together somewhere.

*If you’re interested in participating in a spiritual friendship/group:
a) speak to Barb S-M if you’d like some guidance or have more questions.
b) spend time with God and ask God for wisdom and to bring someone(s) to mind.

Spiritual Friendship practice sheet PDF