Ephesians 5 1 2 Ephesians 5 1 2

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Ephesians 5: 1 -2

Ephesians 5: 1 -2

Ephesians 5: 1– 2 1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved 2

Ephesians 5: 1– 2 1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved 2 children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Solitude Spiritual friendship

Solitude Spiritual friendship

What solitude is and why is important?

What solitude is and why is important?

Solitude is the intentional withdrawal from social engagement. “Come away by yourselves to a

Solitude is the intentional withdrawal from social engagement. “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. ” Mark 6: 31

1. Solitude helps us to become more attentive to God’s voice and promptings. 2.

1. Solitude helps us to become more attentive to God’s voice and promptings. 2. Solitude helps us develop greater selfawareness. 3. There are gifts that can only be received in solitude. 4. Solitude deepens friendships.

What is spiritual friendship is and why is it important? “A man of many

What is spiritual friendship is and why is it important? “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ” Proverbs 18: 25

Spiritual friendship (i. e. “fellowship”) is a deep connection that develops when two people

Spiritual friendship (i. e. “fellowship”) is a deep connection that develops when two people journey together in their discipleship to Jesus.

This shared journey is marked by: • Courage to speak the truth in love

This shared journey is marked by: • Courage to speak the truth in love to each other (Ephesians 4: 15) • Care in carrying one another’s burdens (Galatians 6: 2) • Vulnerability in confessing sins/faults to one another (James 5: 16).

1. We are not meant to walk alone. 2. Spiritual friendships are a life-line

1. We are not meant to walk alone. 2. Spiritual friendships are a life-line in times of darkness.

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ” Henri Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

1. We are not meant to walk alone. 2. Spiritual friendships are a life-line

1. We are not meant to walk alone. 2. Spiritual friendships are a life-line in times of darkness. 3. Spiritual friendship is a core calling of discipleship.

Solitude Spiritual friendship

Solitude Spiritual friendship