Reference no: EM133311305
Assignment:
Read the following stories:
Moses and Aaron
The partnership of Moses and Aaron is one of the greatest examples of two friends working together to do something great. God created marriage to show the world an example of His character-to display His love in the form of the bond between two human beings. Friendships do the same. God sometimes blesses us with friends who compliment us perfectly, who help us achieve more than we ever could alone. Sometimes we receive that friend, and sometimes we are called to be that friend-and if we listen to that call, becoming the best friend that we can be, we become a great blessing to someone.
We can identify many other friendship stories in the Bible but all in all a true friend is someone who will bring us closer to God and not away from him. The best example of such kind of friendship is the story of the paralytic and the four friends.
David and Jonathan
Of all the friendships in the Bible, that of David and Jonathan stands out, perhaps, the most. 1 Samuel 18 describes their friendship: "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."
This is the essence of friendship, to love another as you love yourself. Not only this, but Jonathan sacrificed for David, stripping himself of the items which represented his power and position, and giving them to him. Jonathan was also unwaveringly loyal to David, warning him of King Saul's treachery and intent to kill him. The two friends shared a close emotional bond as well, and were unafraid of sharing their feelings, weeping when it became clear that David had to leave.
These three elements-displayed love, loyalty, and emotional openness, are three essential traits that psychologists deem necessary for friendships to thrive.
The Healing of a Paralytic.
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
The healing of the Paralytic who was brought by his four friends to Jesus is one of the best example of how our friendship with one another, especially towards those who are vulnerable, can be come the channel of God's grace that can bring healing miracles into our lives.
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the salient points of each story of friendship in the bible?
2. Make your own 5 list of rules for developing Good Friendships.