Main Thought
The modern definition and standard of friendship in our world can leave us wanting more. This is largely due to the fact that our society often teaches us to treat friendship as a contract: a conditional exchange of value. If someone doesn’t give or receive the “value” they expect , then the “friendship contract” is terminated. In contrast, the Bible presents the idea of friendship as a covenant. Covenants carry more spiritual and moral weight than contracts. We can learn a lot about covenant friendship in the Book of 1 Samuel’s account of the friendship between Jonathan and David. Covenant friendships are unique because they’re built on a shared mission and a shared standard. Covenant friendship is committed. It is intentional, and it is sacrificial. Jesus Christ embodied those three standards! As Christians, we should strive to do the same.
Main Passages
18 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.
- 1 Samuel 18: 1, 3
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.
- 1 Samuel 18:4
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
- Philippians 2:4-8
Discussion Questions
What kind of “value” do people expect in a contract friendship? Have you ever experienced the fallout of that kind of friendship?
Do you think you have any “covenant friends” in your life right now? What makes you say that?
Covenant friendships are committed, intentional, and sacrificial. Which of those three qualities can you improve on in order to grow as a covenant friend for others?
Family Questions
What makes a good friend? Are you a good friend to others?