Text: "After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king's son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David" (1 Samuel 18:1 NLT).

1. Intentional OPENNESS - David and Jonathan

• A closed circle of friends rarely leads to healthy relationships.
• You can never have too many friends!


2. Intentional SELECTION - Abraham and Lot

• Friend for a moment - Sitting in the lobby of the doctor's office, starting your first day at a job together, and planning an event for your kid's school are all great moments to make a friend.
  • This is where you will have your best evangelistic opportunities.
• Friend for a season - Here for a purpose, and when the purpose is over, move on.
• Friend for life - What are the qualities you are looking for in a person you build a relationship with for life?
  • Reciprocal - At some point, they have to show similar interest and commitment to the relationship.
  • Strengthening - When you are with this person, do you leave feeling encouraged and feeling better about yourself?
  • Enriching - Is this a person you enjoy having conversations with that cause your life to be better? Do they discuss negative topics or gossip?
  • Challenging - Do you challenge each other? Do you make each other better?

3. Intentional INVESTMENT - David and Jonathan

Anything that is valuable requires investment.

One of the reasons God puts us in relationships is to teach us how to be more loving, giving, and selfless.

Major investments you need to make:

• Time - You will never have a healthy relationship that doesn't require time.
• Transparency - You will never have a healthy relationship that doesn't require you to be transparent.
• Resources - Being cheap never helped anyone have a healthy relationship. Illustrations:
  • Take them to a game they really wanted to see.
  • Cook them their favorite meal.
  • Take them to a place they've always wanted to visit.
  • Make a memory by doing something exciting.