The Lonely Heart Can Find Friendship
INTRODUCTION
This Proverbs mini-series is focused on developing a biblical anthropology of “the heart.” In the first three weeks, we will ask: What is the heart? How is it shaped? And how does it become wise? In the second three weeks, we will deal with common heart problems.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Have you ever experienced a season of loneliness? What was that like for you? How did that season affect you?
BIG IDEA
According to Proverbs, while every person experiences loneliness at a certain level, the wise person understands that God has made us for relationships. Therefore, the wise person pursues healthy and intentional relationships as a gift from God in a world of loneliness.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Have you ever experienced a season of loneliness? What was that like for you? How did that season affect you?
BIG IDEA
According to Proverbs, while every person experiences loneliness at a certain level, the wise person understands that God has made us for relationships. Therefore, the wise person pursues healthy and intentional relationships as a gift from God in a world of loneliness.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Read Proverbs 14:10 & 13
This Proverb highlights the reality that there is a fundamental loneliness in life. We all have longings, desires, thoughts, and aspirations that remain hidden, even from those closest to us. We laugh with our spouse or best friends, and yet, in the recesses of our hearts, there are hidden griefs and pains known only to God. In short, nobody is wholly “known” or “seen” by another person in this life.
Read Proverbs 18:24 and 27:9
These Proverbs remind us that, though we can never be fully known, we can be deeply known by true friends. And these relationships are good gifts from God.
Ultimately, we all long to be fully seen and fully known. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to be a “friend of…sinners” (Matt 11:19). He came to love his friends and lay down his life for their sins (Jn 15:12-13). But he also came to be the friend their hearts ultimately longed for. The one who, as God incarnate, could fully see them, and fully know them, and fully love them.
This Proverb highlights the reality that there is a fundamental loneliness in life. We all have longings, desires, thoughts, and aspirations that remain hidden, even from those closest to us. We laugh with our spouse or best friends, and yet, in the recesses of our hearts, there are hidden griefs and pains known only to God. In short, nobody is wholly “known” or “seen” by another person in this life.
- How does it make you feel to think that, even those closest to you will never fully see or know you?
- How do you think the universal human longing to be “fully seen” and “fully known” points us to God?
Read Proverbs 18:24 and 27:9
These Proverbs remind us that, though we can never be fully known, we can be deeply known by true friends. And these relationships are good gifts from God.
- Proverbs 18:24 speaks of friendship that is even closer than blood relationships. Have you ever had a friend like that? What made the friendship so close?
- Proverbs 27:9 speaks of the sweetness that comes from a friend’s counsel. Who in your life do you go to for counsel? Why do you trust them so much?
Ultimately, we all long to be fully seen and fully known. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to be a “friend of…sinners” (Matt 11:19). He came to love his friends and lay down his life for their sins (Jn 15:12-13). But he also came to be the friend their hearts ultimately longed for. The one who, as God incarnate, could fully see them, and fully know them, and fully love them.
- Many Christians are comfortable thinking of Jesus as their Lord or Savior. What do you think about relating to Jesus as your friend?
- If Jesus is the friend our hearts ultimately desire, what do you think it looks like practically to spend time with him as a friend?