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 June 13, 2026

Women’s Ministries (NAD)

This upcoming Sabbath is Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day—a special Sabbath to celebrate the meaningful contributions women make in their homes, churches, and communities. Every day, women step up to minister in ways that truly matter, following the words of Jesus in John 13:34 to “Love one another as I have loved you.”

They minister across generations with compassion and purpose—praying, mentoring, discipling, and comforting those walking through life’s hardest seasons. Whether organizing health fairs, abuse prevention workshops, or teen mentorship programs, women create opportunities for healing and growth, as well as hosting gatherings that foster joy, laughter, and fellowship. Women deliver meals, provide household goods for struggling families, and support cancer patients.

They lead evangelistic efforts, facilitate Bible studies, and help other women grow spiritually. In both quiet moments and public spaces, women are the hands and feet of Jesus—living out His love in practical, powerful ways.

Women’s Ministries empowers women to grow as leaders by offering training, resources, and spiritual development to help them serve more effectively.

Recognizing that education is a key part of leadership, Women’s Ministries supports collegiate women attending Adventist universities through the Women’s Ministries Scholarship Fund.

When you give to Women’s Ministries, you’re investing in lives transformed by women committed to loving like Jesus. Join us in empowering women to serve, grow, and lead in the name of Christ.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church

You are invited to a hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church on June 27, Sabbath, 4:00-5:30 PM. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located at 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A free will offering will help to maintain this historic church where the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was introduced to the public by the composer. For further information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah, melponniah@gmail.com, or 269-876-7476.

Sun, Fun, and Faith

Sun, Fun, and Faith is returning this summer! Incoming High School Freshman to Outgoing High School Seniors are invited Every Tuesday Night (June 9 - Aug 11) for food, boating, and faith-fueled friendships.

Location and Times Coming soon. Follow @pmcyouthministries on Instagram for more info