- Live with understanding
- Idle/unruly – what temptations are they most vulnerable to in this season?
- Fainthearted – where do they feel weary, pressed down, or discouraged?
- Weak – what are the tangible needs in their life that we can help with?
- Live with action
- Confront/admonish – help them see their heart
- Encourage – help them see God’s grace in their lives
- Help – help them see God’s tangible care for them through you
- Live with patience
- How can I move slowly with them towards Christ?
Questions to evaluate patience in a relationship:
- Do I see this person as precious to God and temporarily entrusted to my care for His purposes?
- Do I know their genuine needs—and am I willing to place those needs above my own?
- Do I approach them with humility, eager to learn from their life and walk with Christ?
- Am I slow to speak and quick to listen, giving space for their heart to be known?
- Do I invite them to speak into my life, so I might grow in Christlikeness?
- When they share a struggle, do I take time to ask thoughtful questions and discern how God may be at work in their heart and circumstances?
- Does our friendship deepen our love for the church and draw others in, or does it close us off from the body?
- Do I honor them by intentionally making time to invest in our relationship?
- Can I tell the 10–15 minute version of their life story—and can they tell mine?
- When conflict arises, do I humbly examine my own heart first and seek help if needed before addressing theirs?
- When I pray for them, do I intercede with understanding—bringing them before the Lord as a sufferer (aware of their pain), a sinner (aware of their struggles), and a saint (grateful for God’s grace at work in them)?
