2 B Friends

2 B Friends: Ready or Not–Here We GROW!

2 B Friends: Get On Your Mark, Get Set, GROW!

A New Year Prayer: Heal Our Land

Overview
Study Guide

Resources

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.

Offering

Adventist Giving

Part 1 of a 3 Part Series

Saturday, January 12, 2013

More In This Series

01/19/2013

2 B Friends: Get On Your Mark, Get Set, GROW!

Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

01/26/2013

2 B Friends: GROW Into All the World

Part 3 of a 3 Part Series

All Sermons

Print Download

“2 B Friends:
Ready or Not—Here We GROW!”

www.pmchurch.tv

□ The Research
-  The British National Child Development Study (a longitudinal study tracking individuals born in the same week in 1958) reported in 2012 that of the men and roughly a of the women said they now have more than friends and relatives they get together with once a month or more.
-  Regarding psychological health, these people ranked themselves significantly than the others with less friends.
-  The researchers concluded: “Having fewer than friends at age 45 predicted significantly poorer psychological well-being at age 50.”
-  The education men had, the more likely they were to have a larger social network—but the opposite was true for women.
-  Being was associated with a smaller circle of friends.
□ The Reason
-  John 15:12-17
  -  “[Jesus is] our best and most sympathizing friend.” (5T 201)
  -  vv 13, 14 The Voice: “‘[13] There is no greater way to love than to give your life for your friends. [14] You
    celebrate friendship if you obey this command.”
  -  I.e., when you read v 13 and v 14 together, Jesus isn’t so much describing His death the day
    as He is commanding our willingness to die for our friends day.
  -  Craig Keener: John 15:12 “is emphatic that believers must love one another in the same way that Jesus loved
    them (cf. 13:34), which means dying for their , as Jesus would die for them (15:13-14).”
    
    (The Gospel of John 1004)
-  John 15:5

 Friends and fruit—what do they have in common? You must them both.

 Because friends and fruit are all about .

 Acts 2:38-47

 3000 brand new radical followers/disciples of Jesus Christ

 And how do they GROW? (Acts 2:42)

o They share .

 Just as Jesus taught in John 15—first, you with Me and then you with each other, and thus you .

 The simple mission of the church in Acts: CONNECT.GROW.SERVE.GO.

□ The Result

 Five VIP points about GROW Groups:

 #1—They are about friendship, not .
 #2—They are about short-term, not .
 #3—They are about “interesting,” not “.”
 #4—They are about growing spiritually and .  #5—They are about growing together, not .

 Desire of Ages: “Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to impart this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.” (641)
Friends and fruit are all about GROW

Offering for April 25, 2026

Michigan Advance Partners

God still impresses His people to give sacrificially, without fanfare, to build up His work. The writer (Anthony) reported sitting in a meeting where the discussion centered on the commitment and benevolence of some donors. As he listened, goosebumps erupted on his forearms. This particular story was riveting. He was in awe. He was thrilled. To think that this person in question was not a baptized member of the church at the time—he was inspired.

According to the story, the donor’s only association with Adventism was through an encounter with a George Vandeman (founder of It is Written) evangelistic series he attended in his early life. And yet he had no
reservation in giving millions to help in the construction of a new phase of the conference headquarters. The report says he gave over and over again, willingly, not caring to be mentioned. And he refrained from living a lavish
lifestyle. In fact, it is said, he would often say, “It’s not my money, it belongs to God.”

God is still inviting willing persons who are able to contribute to His cause. As He instructed Israel, He’s calling us to, “Give generously…without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you, in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 15:10, NIV).

Today, as we return our tithes and offerings, and give to our conference’s needs, may the promises of God be ours.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!

Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700.

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.