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David #3

 [DAVID] True friendship_ 

1 Samuel 20:1-17 & 30-42 

“You’ve got a friend in me!”  
The Pixar film franchise ‘Toy Story’ begins with a very one-sided friendship. 
Andy LOVES Woody. He plays with him all the time. He takes him with him everywhere he goes. He’s obsessed with him. But, one day, a new toy is introduced to Andy’s room... Buzz Lightyear. He’s ‘the next big thing’ in toys and now Woody faces the prospect of being left on the shelf. What will Woody do? How will he react to Buzz? Is he really his foe or could he become his friend? 
 

 
[Group discussion starter] What qualities do you appreciate most in a friend, and why? 
 

 

In this study we will explore the strong relationship between David and Jonathan. They help us to see and appreciate the qualities of true friendship... 

 
[Read 1 Samuel 18:1-4 and 20:1-17] 
 

 

 
What impresses you about Jonathan’s and David’s love for each other? 

 

 
How does their love express itself in their commitment to each other? 

 

 
[Read 1 Samuel 20:30-42 and 2 Samuel 1:25-27] 

 

 
How does Jonathan’s experience with Saul demonstrate some of the cost of friendship? 

 
In what other ways can friendship be costly? 

 

 
In 1 Samuel 20:41-42 and 2 Samuel 1:25-27, what do we learn about the level of intimacy between Jonathan and David? 

 

 

 
Do you think that it is more difficult for women or for men to achieve that kind of intimacy in friendship? Explain. 

 

 
What kind of factors enhance or inhibit intimacy in a relationship? 

 

 
Think of your closest friend.  
If you could pick one area in which you would like your friendship to be more like Jonathan and David’s, what would it be? 

 

 
What specific steps can you take to achieve that goal?  

 
 

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