Is there a friendship that you’ve let go flat because you are too preoccupied to build the relationship? Ask God how to begin anew.

Think of someone you haven’t seen at church or Life group in a while. What can you do to reach out to them & let them know they are missed?

Imagine one of the New Testament writers penning a letter to our church: “Dear Friends,” … what might they say to our congregation?

Ask God to put someone on your heart today, someone you may know as an acquaintance but need to get to know better. Pray for that person.

If you had nothing holding you back, how could you imagine serving God/the church? Why not take the first steps in that direction this week?

Does it ever seem like the seasons of life when we need close relationships the most, friendships are the hardest to cultivate? Think about being a kid: you make friends in elementary school, and then right when you hit the nervous, hormonal, tweenage years – wham! – you enter junior high, with brand new faces, extra homework, and no more recess. Making friends becomes a little more difficult.

Later, as a young, single adult, it is relatively easy to find time to hang out with friends or go out and make new ones, but then Life hits, and you get married and have kids of your own. Suddenly, getting adequate sleep takes priority over having a social life. We can begin to lose our own identity during this phase, because we are exerting all of our energy on everyone else but ourselves.

Fast forward to retirement (oh, to dream!). You now have freedom to visit the grandkids, travel with your spouse and enjoy downtime, for a change. All too soon, however, the years keep trucking on by, and you find yourself wondering where the time went. The kids and grandkids – who are spinning their wheels in the earlier phases – are too busy/tired/broke to come visit, and you find yourself alone, again.

If we aren’t purposeful in cultivating relationships during each of these seasons of life, even when – especially when! – it is difficult to do so, then we can feel disconnected. That’s where the church body becomes so important. I love the way several of the New Testament letters are addressed: “Dear Friends,” because it shows that the church family is closely connected. That level of cohesiveness doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time and effort to cultivate relationships with others.

For example, John signs off one of his brief notes with this comment: “I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name” (3 John 1:14, NIV). The early church knew each other personally, by name. Do we?

Don’t wait for people to come find you; take the initiative to meet some new faces at church this week. Get to know the faces you do recognize a little bit better. If you aren’t involved in a Life group, what is keeping you? Building relationships is a two-way effort, so take the first step!

Think of someone who, like young David, often gets brushed aside. Be a servant-leader and ask God how you can encourage them.

Do you know someone who always seems to be on top of things, always the best at what they do? Pray for their struggles beneath the surface.

Philippians 2:3 says that we should “value others above ourselves.” How would that type of mindset alter your everyday life?

Think of an area in your life where you are a leader (regardless of title). Is your leadership style one of service or head-honcho?