Choosing Godly Friends – Why Your Crew Matters
Our GBFC Youth and Young Adults take over our Devotionals for the Month of June and we look forward to the exhortation they will share. Please make sure to leave a word of encouragement in the comment section-it only takes a minute.
SCRIPTURE: "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Think about your closest friends. Do they encourage you? Do they build you up—or tear you down? Friends are a huge part of life, especially in middle school. They can either help you grow in your faith or pull you away from it.
Imagine this: you’re climbing a mountain. Would you rather climb with someone who knows the way and helps you up, or with someone who keeps slipping and pulling you down? That’s what friendships can be like. The people you hang out with the most will affect the way you talk, think, and act.
God wants us to choose friends who are wise, kind, and love Him. That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends with people who believe differently—but our closest crew, the ones we trust and follow, should help us become more like Jesus.
Real Talk:
Try This:
By Bro. Shane Brown
Imagine this: you’re climbing a mountain. Would you rather climb with someone who knows the way and helps you up, or with someone who keeps slipping and pulling you down? That’s what friendships can be like. The people you hang out with the most will affect the way you talk, think, and act.
God wants us to choose friends who are wise, kind, and love Him. That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends with people who believe differently—but our closest crew, the ones we trust and follow, should help us become more like Jesus.
Real Talk:
- Do your closest friends help you make good choices?
- Are you being a godly friend to others?
- Is there someone who might not be a good influence right now?
Try This:
- List 3 friends you spend the most time with.
- Ask yourself: Do these friendships help me grow closer to God or farther away?
- Pray and ask God to help you be a godly friend and bring good friends into your life.
By Bro. Shane Brown
Archive
2025
January
Prayer For A New Year 2025Prayer for A Heart Like Christ’sA PRAYER FOR HELP WITH OUR FAITHA Prayer of RepentanceA Prayer to Press OnPrayer For a Fragile Next GenerationPrayer For an Open HeartA Prayer For EndurancePrayer of Praise From the RedeemedPrayer For True EnlightenmentA Prayer: God is Waiting in the New YearSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellPrayer That Celebrates God’s WorkPrayer To See Things God’s WayPrayer of Thanks for God’s Keeping PowerPrayer When Faith is Tested: Accepting God’s WillPrayer of Dedication to Our LordA Prayer of Appreciation and WorshipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellPrayer For Humble LivingPrayer for Greater Faith to Live for GodPrayer Against Our FeelingsPrayer to the ONE Who Knows All ThingsPrayer For Sight in the Midst of LossPrayer to be Better Lovers of All Kinds of PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS with Pastor Wayne CockrellPrayer of Rekindled PraisePrayer According to Your WillPrayer for the Generations to ComePrayer For the Benefits of PrayerPrayer For a Fresh Awareness of the HOLY SPIRIT
February
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8 Comments
Amen, Bro Shane. So true & wise words for my own self examination. Thank you for letting the Lord use you.
Amen. Good encouragement reminding us to watch our company.
Amen! ?. Thank you for this encouraging devotional brother Shane!
Amen! It's far more likely for an upright soul to be pulled down by poor friendship choices than the other way around--no matter your age. Employ great discretion.
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Amen Bro. Shane. Ummm!!Where was this template when I was 9? To God be the glory for His wisdom and instruction to our Bro. Shane and to us. God bless young man.
Praise the Lord Bro. Shane for being an instrument that the Lord can teach and help you to teach others!!!
Amen, Bro Shane . Make a conscious effort to surround your self,with people pursuing a life that honors God !!
This is such a blessing Shane! Thank you! I love your example, it definitely moved my spirit! I'm not surprised you produced this because you have such a cautious spirit. AMEN!