Friends
Many people wish they could be part of a group of friends. Others want to have deeper friendships than what they have. True friends listen, talk and spend time with each other. Friends shield us from loneliness, offer acceptance and give us common ground. They influence us more than we know. As with Jonathan and David, friends can strengthen us in the Lord (1 Samuel 20:16-22; 23:15-18) or, as with Jonadab and Amnon, friends can lead us into sin and disaster (2 Samuel 13:3-16).

The people we know and esteem as dear to our hearts speak volumes about who we are. Friends usually love the same things that we love. The deepest friendships grow between those who not only love God but also help each other grow in him. Individuals like Abraham and Moses shared God's heart, and he called them his friends.

The Lord calls his followers his friends because he loves them and reveals himself to them.
Exodus 33:11
John 15:13-15
James 2:23
Jesus is a friend to sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors––he spends time with them because they are honest about their need, and many are ready to receive his love.
Matthew 11:19
Luke 7:34
We cannot be friends with the world system that serves human pleasure if we love and serve God because our identity, loyalty and friendship are with God.
2 Chronicles 20:7
James 4:4
We are to care about people and develop friendships with those who live apart from God so they can experience God's love first-hand.
Luke 16:9
Acts 10:24
Friends will either help or hinder us.
Proverbs 12:26; 17:17; 18:24; 22:24-25
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
We are to spend quality time with other believers in Christ, loving them as Christ loved us.
John 15:9-13
2 Corinthians 12:19
1 John 4:7-12