3 Day Bible Reading Plan - “Vulnerability in Friendship”
“It’s good to share the “wrong things” with the right people. God desires vulnerability. He doesn’t want us to hide behind masks of perfection or to pretend that we have it all together. He wants our honest hearts, and He wants us to share those honest hearts with others. He wants us to come to Him with our doubts, our fears, our anger, our confusion, and He wants us to share those struggles with trusted friends, with those who can offer support, encouragement, and understanding.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 9/28/25
Day 1
Featured Verse: Proverbs 27:9 - “The sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”
In what ways does the “sweetness of a friend” in this verse parallel the biblical concept of fellowship within the body of Christ?
What does this verse suggest about the theological significance of human relationships in experiencing God’s intended joy for His people?
Considering the emphasis on friendship and counsel, how does Proverbs 27:9 inform our understanding of wisdom as a divine gift in the context of community?
Pause and Reflect: How can you cultivate friendships that provide “hearty counsel” and bring joy and wisdom into your life?
“Just as ointment and perfume refresh the body and delight the senses, so the loving counsel of a true friend refreshes the soul and brings joy to the heart. Friends who speak the truth in love are God's special gifts to us.” - Warren W. Wiersbe
Day 2
Featured Verse: Matthew 7:12 - “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.”
How might the practice of the Golden Rule cultivate a community of believers that reflects the joy and refreshment described in Proverbs 27:9 through mutual care and counsel?
How does Matthew 7:12 challenge believers to extend the principle of sincere, heartfelt counsel beyond close friendships to all relationships, including those with strangers or enemies?
In light of human sinfulness, how does reliance on the Holy Spirit enable believers to consistently live out the Golden Rule, especially when offering or receiving counsel in difficult or contentious situations?
Pause and Reflect: How can you intentionally offer the same kind of heartfelt, uplifting counsel to others that you would hope to receive from a true friend?
“The Golden Rule is a practical summary of Christian ethics. It’s not about reciprocity or expecting something in return, but about initiating love and goodness toward others, just as you would hope to receive it.” - John MacArthur
Day 3
Featured Verse: James 5:16 - “Confess your sins to one another.”
How does the call to "confess your sins to one another" reflect the theological significance of vulnerability and accountability in the Christian community, and how does it deepen the kind of heartfelt counsel described in Proverbs 27:9?
In what ways does the practice of praying for one another in James 5:16 embody the Golden Rule of Matthew 7:12?
In light of Matthew 7:12’s call to treat others as you would want to be treated, how does James 5:16 challenge believers to create a safe and gracious environment for mutual confession and prayer within the church?
Pause and Reflect: How can you actively practice confessing your sins and praying for others in your community to foster the kind of supportive relationships that reflect the love and counsel you’d desire for yourself?
“Believer, thou hast a mighty engine in thy hand, use it well, use it constantly, use it with faith, and thou shalt surely be a benefactor to thy brethren. When thou hast the King’s ear, speak to Him for the suffering members of His body. When thou art favored to draw very near to His throne, and the King saith to thee, ‘Ask, and I will give thee what thou wilt,’ let thy petitions be, not for thyself alone, but for the many who need His aid.” - Charles Spurgeon