A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 KJV)

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
(Proverbs 27:17 KJV)

No man is an island. Life is lonely without a friend. We are social beings, and we need to be sociable. Communication is important. A child learns first to communicate with his parents. Social maturity is the ability to relate well with others. Sociability is part of maturity. When a person grows spiritually mature, he also grows in many aspects of his life. A Christian can grow to be spiritually and socially mature in the church. 

A GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIEND IS A BLESSING FROM GOD.

A true friend loves at all times.

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
(Proverbs 17:17 KJV)

A true friend builds you up.
Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:5-6 KJV)

A true friend can give you comfort and godly counsel
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
(Proverbs 27:9 KJV)

A true friend will sacrifice for you.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
(John 15:13 KJV)

BENEFITS OF BEING FRIENDLY

It increases your friends.

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:24 KJV)

It helps increase your influence. 

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV)

It helps you find growth opportunities. 

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
(Proverbs 11:25 KJV)

It provides an opportunity to share the gospel. 

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. (Matthew 11:19 KJV)

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:19 KJV)

FIND FRIENDS TO WIN AND ENCOURAGE

You will be blessed and also encouraged

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
(Proverbs 11:25 KJV)

You will be wise and productive

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
(Proverbs 11:30 KJV)

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
(Proverbs 11:18 KJV)

BE FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 KJV)

Be cheerful

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
(Proverbs 15:13 KJV)

Be interested in people

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
(Luke 6:31 KJV)

Be hospitable

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
(Hebrews 13:2 KJV)

Be prayerful

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10 KJV)

Be patient and loving

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV)

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
(Proverbs 17:17 KJV)

RELATED LESSONS

Characteristics of a true friend
Thank you for being a friend