Birds of a Feather 14 Jan 18

(Message 2) Birds of a feather flock together. We may not start out making foolish decisions, but if we hang out with fools, we will become like them. The opposite is also true when we spend time with wise people. Join us as we look at the guardrail of wise friendships.

Guardrail:

A non-negotiable boundary that is a matter of personal conviction.

A Fool:

Someone who knows the difference between right and wrong but doesn’t care.

Getting the Right Friends:

Be proactive, walk with the wise.
If I have to pretend to be someone I’m not, the friendship will end.

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Who is someone in your life that has stood by you in good times and bad?
Talk about a time when you or someone you know suffered because of relationships. What happened?
Read Proverbs 13:20a. Who is a person in your life on whose wisdom you rely? In what ways have you seen his or her wisdom rub off on you over time?
One of the best definitions of a fool is “someone who knows the difference between right and wrong but doesn’t care.”
- Read Proverbs 13:20b. What is it’s warning about a fool?
- Can you think of examples of this warning coming true?
Read Proverbs 1:7. Do you know any fools? Do they have an influence on your life?
Let’s review Troy’s definition of personal Guardrails: A non-negotiable boundary that is a matter of personal conviction. Are there areas in your life where you tend to make foolish choices and therefore you need to put up guardrails? Share with the group.
Read Proverbs 14:7. Do you have a relationship that could benefit from establishing or re-establishing guardrails? What obstacles will you have to overcome? Discuss the following:
- Can you be yourself with your core group or do you have to pretend you are someone you’re not?
- Do you often feel pressure to compromise the integrity of your guardrails?
- How can your small group support each other?

If time allows, do the Digging Deeper section below the Daily Scripture Reading with your group. Here’s a link to a DIGGING DEEPER “HOW TO” to guide you.

Daily Scripture Readings:

Day 1: Proverbs 1:7; 13:20

Day 2: 1 Peter 5:6-10

Day 3: Proverbs 27:6; 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Day 4: Proverbs 27:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Day 5: Proverbs 4:14-19

Day 6: Philippians 3:7-11

Day 7: Philippians 3:12-16

DIGGING DEEPER

Guardrails keep us focused on the truth of God. They keep us from listening to and believing the lies of the evil one. These verses in 1 Peter will equip us to focus on God’s truth.

1 Peter 5:6-10

v. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

v. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

v. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

v. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

v. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

ABC’s

Author: Peter – around 67 AD.

Background: It’s intended audience was comprised of predominantly gentile believers residing in the cities of Asia Minor (Turkey), who were suffering persecution. Peter noted that he was writing from Babylon (5:13), but most scholars believe that he was actually in Rome. The reference to Babylon was a common one at the time because Rome’s immorality and idolatry paralleled that of the Babylonian civilization.

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Context: The persecution was due to a proclamation by Nero condemning Christ and the followers of the way. 1 Peter was meant to advise and encourage them to persevere in faith in the face of adversity.

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1, 2, 3’s

Step 1 – Observation: What does the passage say?

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Step Two – Interpretation: What does it mean?