This week I’ve been studying the story of Jesus meeting Peter post-resurrection  (If you want to read the passage for this Sunday, Check out John 21)

One of the big themes that has jumped out at me is the idea of friendship - and how Jesus renewed it after Peter and the disciples came out of their lockdown. – I've been thinking about the big benefits the come from being in close community, and the cost of forgiveness and grace that true friends take.

• 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
  
  
• 1 Peter 4:8-10 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
  
  
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
  
  
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
  
  
• Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
  
  
• Job 6:14 “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
  
  
• John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
  
  
• Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
  
  
• Proverbs 16:28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
  
  
• Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
  
  
• Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
  
  
• Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
  
  
• Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
  
  
• Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

I hope these verses are an encouragement and an inspiration to you as you work at being a God-honoring community. See more verses using the Navs Topical Bible