International Friendship Day: an opportunity celebrate and teach about friendship

International Friendship Day is celebrated on July 30 or the first Sunday in August. Though the day of celebration has varied over the years, (CLICK HERE for one interesting history of it), no matter what the exact day or the history of it, it is a time to celebrate friendships.

At your church it is a great time to remind your people not only of the joy of human friendship, but the incredible reality that God wants to be our friend and that the death of Jesus makes that possible. You can use it as a time to teach and challenge your people. Below are some quotes, Bible verses, and suggestions for how to make the most of this day to help your people grow into maturity as Jesus' friends.

Quotes on friendship

“FRIEND is one who (F)inds you in a (R)ush of people (I)nspires you to do something in life, catches your (E)motions and (N)ever leaves you until (D)eath….”

Best friends are people you know you don’t need to talk to every single day. You don’t even need to talk to each other for weeks, but when you do, it’s like you never stopped talking.

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

The only way to have a friend is to be one.

Bible verses on friendship

The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. Proverbs 12:26 (NLT)

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)
Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6 (NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

“Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13-15

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14

Teaching/blogging/tweeting challenges—ways to make Friendship Day a spiritual growth opportunity

Take one of the verses above and either share in a group or journal what it would look like in practice. For example, what does it mean to "lay down your life for a friend"? We may not have a chance (though one never knows what the future will hold) to give our physical life for a friend, but what about stopping what you are doing if a friend calls and taking time to really listen?

What about when you have a challenge to volunteer, perhaps weekly at a soup kitchen or other service opportunity and you'd rather spend time on your favorite hobby?

• What about when your spouse or friend wants you to join them for an activity, a walk, fishing, going to a movie, gardening, and it's not something you really want to do?
• What about when you know you are right about something, (not something moral or biblical, but an opinion) and your friend does not, will not see it your way?

How would your relationship with Jesus be different if you really believed that He considered you His friend?

• What would you share?
• How would you spend time together?
• How would this change the way you introduce other friends of yours to Him?

Take this day beyond platitudes and merely kind wishes (though these are not to be discounted) and use it as a time to help your people grow in discipleship as they learn and practice what it means to develop an ever-growing relationship with Jesus.