Better Together

Living Aligned With God’s Design 
Better Together 
1 Samuel 18-23

God designed us for Relationship

Connected people do better in life

4 Levels of Relationships

1. The Checkout level: Initial friendships

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9, ESV)

2. The Choice level: Social friendships

Choose to spend time with – mutual interests.

3. The Companionship level: Close friendships

Often born out of adversity or a shared need

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, ESV)

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (John 11:5, ESV)

4. The Change level: Intimate friendships

“And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:” (Luke 6:13, ESV)

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.” (Matthew 17:1, ESV)

5 Characteristics of Transformational Relationships

1. Commitment born out of Love (18:1-3)

• Spoken (18:3)
• Proven (19:1-6) – Not just words, but actions.
• Sacrificial (20:30-33)

It always costs something to really love another person.

2. Belief in one another (18:4)

A friend often sees something in us that we might not see in ourselves.

“Your best friend helps bring out the very best that is in you.”  Henry Ford

3. Confrontation (20:1-4)

Often one of the most difficult things to do and to do well.

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5–6, ESV)

4. Honest Emotions (20:41)

Jonathan’s friendship was an anchor for David’s soul.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15, ESV)

5. Encouragement (23:15-18) 

A friend is one who comes in when the whole world has gone out. 

Q: How can I develop these types of relationships? 
A: By becoming that type of a Person

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” (Proverbs 18:24a, NKJV)

No matter how great your human relationships, there will always be an emptiness, a void in your life if you do not develop a relationship with God!

The deepest, most powerful relationship you can ever have is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ