We wrapped up our series on relationships with a powerful reminder about the “Power of Proximity”—that the people closest to us shape who we become. Pastor Jeremy challenges us to guard our inner circle, recognizing that close relationships can either strengthen our faith or pull us away from it.
Notes 📓✏️:
“Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.”
• Relationships are never neutral
• Every close connection carries influence
• Whoever has your ear shapes your year
God designed you for connection with others… but not every connection is covenant.
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’”
Genesis 2:18 (NLT)
• We form spiritual connection with those closest to us
• Body, Soul, and Spirit
“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David.”
1 Samuel 18:1 (NIV)
• Repetitive actions or attitudes create spiritual habits
• Most people become like who they hang around the most
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:14–18 (NIV)
• How can you form godly spiritual habits with someone who does not follow God?
• You can love without yoking
• The closer the bond, the deeper the influence
• Close relationships are spiritually formative
Attributes of a Spiritually Healthy Relationship
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- Someone who follows Jesus and inspires you to do the same
- They help you get better
- They tell you the truth
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17
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- They are loyal and trustworthy
- They encourage
Pour in courage
“So encourage each other and build each other up…”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
Like attracts like.
• Are any relationships pulling me away from God?
• Am I becoming the kind of person I want in my inner circle?
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- How have you seen the phrase “show me your friends, and I will show you your future” reflected in your life? Why do you think the people closest to us have such a powerful influence on our habits and behaviors?
- What did Pastor Jeremy mean when he talked about spiritual bonds and spiritual habits that form between close friends? Can you think of examples from your own life?
- In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul warns about being unequally yoked with unbelievers. How do we balance this teaching with Jesus’ command to love our neighbors and share the gospel with non-believers?
- Pastor Jeremy listed five attributes of spiritually healthy relationships for your inner circle. Which of these five do you think is most important, and which one do you struggle with most in your own relationships?