3 Day Bible Reading Plan - “Made for Friendship”
“We live in a society that often celebrates independence and self-sufficiency. We are encouraged to "find ourselves," "live our truth," and "do us." While there's nothing inherently wrong with pursuing personal growth and authenticity, we must be careful not to isolate ourselves in the process. The pursuit of individual fulfillment should not come at the expense of meaningful connection with others. God's design for humanity is not solitary confinement, but vibrant community.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 9/14/25
Day 1
Featured Verse: Hebrews 3:12-14 - “Exhort one another every day.”
How can close Christian friendships help believers recognize and guard against a “sinful, unbelieving heart” that might lead them to turn away from God?
Hebrews 3:13 emphasizes daily encouragement among believers. How can Christian friends structure their relationships to ensure consistent, meaningful support in their spiritual lives?
How can the call to “exhort one another every day” shape the way Christian friends hold each other accountable in their faith and daily walk with God?
Pause and Reflect: How do you actively encourage your Christian friends each day, to help them stay steadfast in their faith and avoid the deceitfulness of sin?
“Take heed, believer, lest there be in you an evil heart of unbelief, and see that you exhort your brethren daily, as the Word commands, for by such godly fellowship you may keep one another from being hardened by sin.” - Charles Spurgeon
Day 2
Featured Verse: Ephesians 4:25-32 - “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.”
Ephesians 4:29 emphasizes using words that build up others. How can you intentionally use your conversations with Christian friends to encourage their faith and spiritual growth?
How can speaking truthfully to one another, as urged in Ephesians 4:25, strengthen trust and deepen friendships within the body of Christ?
How can you and your Christian friends practice the principle of Ephesians 4:28, using your resources or talents to share with one another in ways that strengthen your bond and reflect Christ’s love?
Pause and Reflect: How do you ensure your words to Christian friends build them up and give grace, as Ephesians 4:29 instructs, without harming your fellowship?
“The Apostle bids us speak every man truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another; in Christian friendship, let your words be true and your heart tender, that you may build up your brother and not grieve the Spirit of God.” - Alexander Maclaren
Day 3
Featured Verse: Hebrews 10:24-25 - “Stir up one another to love and good works.”
In what ways can your friendships within the church encourage one another toward acts of love and service?
How can your Christian friendships help you stay faithful in attending worship and fellowship, especially during challenging times?
In light of Hebrews 10:25’s warning about “some abandoning the habit of meeting together,” how can you and your friends hold each other accountable to remain connected and engaged in the church community?
Pause and Reflect: How do you intentionally encourage your Christian friends to grow in love and good deeds, while making sure you consistently gather together to support one another’s faith?
“Christians ought to have a tender consideration and concern for one another; they should affectionately consider what their several wants, weaknesses, and temptations are; and they should do this, not to reproach one another, to provoke one another not to anger, but to love and good works, calling upon themselves and one another to love God and Christ more, to love duty and holiness more, to love their brethren in Christ more, and to do all the good offices of Christian affection both to the bodies and the souls of each other. A good example given to others is the best and most effectual provocation to love and good works.” - Matthew Henry
“Well then, so much the more let us stir each other up to love and to good works. Yes; there are some who even make a bad use of what ought to be a great blessing, namely, the printing-press, and the printed sermon, by staying at home to read a sermon because, they say, it is better than going out to hear one. But this is a dangerous experiment; and it is far better to be with the living than the dead; far better to be with the living saints of God than with the dead forms of the sanctuary.” - Thomas Chalmers
“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together... In the deeper life, we need the fire of fellowship; Christian friends must gather to fan the flames of love in each other, or the embers of faith will grow cold in isolation.” - A.W. Tozer