Tuesday, November 25, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Luke 2

When I’m trying to choose which book to read next, one of the first red flags for me is a loner main character. I’m personally not interested in a story about someone capable of figuring things out on their own - I need a character who has a close relationship with someone in their life. This could be a romantic bond, a platonic friendship, ride-or-die siblings, or (my personal favorite) a found family group formed from all the above. If the character deeply cares about this person or group of people, I’m willing to tag along for the rest of their story.

This isn’t just something I want in a fictional book. God created us to be in community with others. After making Adam, God quickly said that it isn’t good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:19). Jesus himself formed a friend group while on earth, spending time with his disciples and equipping them to spread the Good News.

Unfortunately, friendship doesn’t happen on its own. It takes work to develop and maintain a healthy relationship. Everyone involved must be willing to put in the effort and encourage each other.

Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

As members of God’s family, we are able to support and be supported, love and be loved, serve and be served. We pick each other up so that when we have a bad day, someone else is ready to return the favor. Our church is where we can unite, remembering our shared purpose as God’s children.

However, we shouldn’t exclude people who haven’t yet chosen to follow Jesus. Those relationships are just as important! They provide an opportunity for us to share the gospel and a space where we can humbly listen to new perspectives. We are able to demonstrate God’s love and nearness to those who otherwise might never consider entering a church.

God created us to crave love, both being loved and giving that love to others. Our relationships are the perfect place to experience both forms of love. We shouldn’t settle for half-hearted acquaintances, not when together we can represent God’s love to the world.

Questions:
Do you have any friendships that you want to be more intentional with? Who can you intentionally pour into this week?

Next Steps:
Mark your calendar to start or join a Group! This is the perfect place to find new friends and develop a strong community. Registration to start a Group opens December 14, and the directory to join a Group opens January 17, 2026.

If you don’t have any unchurched friends, consider this as your invitation to expand your circle. Keep an eye out while at work, among other families in your school system, or when serving on the DreamTeam, to see who God is calling you into a relationship with.

If, like me, you struggle making friends, read this article by behavioral researcher Vanessa Van Edwards. She has some very helpful and straightforward tips about how to find and connect with new people.

Prayer:
Father, you created me to rely on you and to rely on other people. Thank you for inviting me into your family! Please give me the love and the patience to develop strong relationships with those you have put in my life. Give me the eyes to see when someone is lonely, struggling, or in need of some encouragement. I love you. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

This post was written by Lydia Snyder, a South attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.