Who we hang out with today shapes who we become tomorrow

The following devotion is excerpted from our brand new devotional, Faith Forward Family Devotional. Gather your family together as we discover in 1 Samuel that who we hang out with today shapes who we become tomorrow.
~ Pat and Ruth

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Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
1 SAMUEL 20:17

Who is your closest friend? What makes him or her a good friend? David was not yet king, but he quickly became a hero who, just like us, needed a good friend! He needed a friend who would stick with him and, most importantly, one who would join him in living and serving the Lord.

Young David had just returned from the battlefield. Goliath was dead. And now all Israel was singing his praises! First Samuel 18:6–7 says: When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

King Saul was not happy. He became jealous of David. Saul kept a close eye on him. Eventually he became so mad that he even tried to kill David. But King Saul’s son, Jonathan, would have no part in it!

He knew the Lord was with David. He knew God had chosen him to continue His work in the world. Instead of joining his dad, Jonathan joined David and became his closest friend. He loved him, protected him, and listened to him. Jonathan was always there to encourage David in his relationship with the Lord.

Do you have friends like Jonathan? As we join God’s work in the world, we need the right kind of friends. Friends who are following God. Friends who are making us better, stronger, and more like Jesus. And we need to be that kind of friend to those around us too!

Key idea: Who we hang out with today shapes who we become tomorrow.

The Bible tells us to choose our friends wisely. Our friends affect how we act, what we think, and eventually who we become!

Here are a few questions to think about and discuss with your family:

What made Jonathan such a good friend?
How do friends either hurt us or help us?
What can you do to be a friend like Jonathan to others?

Let’s pray:

Father, thank You for being the best Friend of all. Give us wisdom to choose our friends wisely. Help us be the right kind of friend—a friend who loves, encourages, and points others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Faith Forward Family Devotional is written for families with children of all ages to help equip and inspire you to raise another generation to love and serve Jesus.

In just a few minutes a day, at your own pace, you can take your family through the entire Bible in one hundred devotions. Grow closer to your kids as they grow closer to God.

To grab the Faith Forward Family Devo you can go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com and anywhere books are sold.