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2 B Friends

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

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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

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
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“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 .

o They share .

o They share .

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 March 28, 2026

Michigan Advance Partners

Over the history of Adventist Education we have seen a financial model that has struggled in recent times. Gone are the days when tuition income was the main contributor to financial viability. As a matter of fact, we are seeing more and more families struggle to pay for tuition and this in turn puts more pressure on the Conference, schools, and churches to make up the difference.

Unfortunately, tuition continues to rise, and will continue to do so, to match the increasing cost it takes to run and manage our institutions. Let’s be honest, Adventist Education is expensive. Yet, the cost of not having Adventist Education in these last days is infinitely more expensive. “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt 24:37)

Given what we are seeing around us it would be fair to say we are living in the last days of earth’s history. Our schools exist to help form characters in our students that will help them stand for Christ in a world without a moral compass.

Please consider the ministry of Adventist Education in your giving. Investing in a human life pays dividends this world cannot calculate. Part of your offering to Michigan Advance Partners is used to support Adventist Education in Michigan.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Sunday Music Series...Dmitry Rachmanov

Dmitry Rachmanov 4:00 PM Sunday, April 12, 2026 Free Admission A sought-after performer, master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer, Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov is Chair of Keyboard Studies at California State University, Northridge.  A proponent of Russian repertoire, his April 2014 all-Scriabin program at Carnegie Hall was described as “a poem of ecstasy” in every sense. Rachmanov is a recipient of numerous awards, and a founding member and President of the Scriabin Society of America. 

RMES Give-Back Night – March 31

Support Ruth Murdoch Elementary School by dining at Silver Beach Pizza on March 31. When guests present the event flyer (printed or on their phone), 20% of their check will be donated to RMES. Both dine-in and carry-out orders qualify, but the flyer must be shown for the sale to count. Funds raised will support capital improvements at RMES, including projects such as roof replacement and parking lot paving. Thank you for supporting our students and school community!

Howard Center Presents...The Collingsworth Family

The Collingsworth Family April 8, 2026, 7:00 PM. The Collingsworth Family is a southern gospel group started by Phil and Kim Collingsworth and features their family as the group. Their ministry and music tours have reached all over the United States as well as internationally. Excitement, family-emphasis, and musical excellence are what you can expect when you come to The Collingsworth Family concert. Phil and Kim’s entire purpose is to give the talent God has loaned them back to their Creator as a sacrifice of praise. Tickets for this concert are available at iTickets.com

Howard Center Presents...K-Anthony

K-Anthony March 29, 2026, 7:00 PM. Kevin Anthony Fowler is a Jamaican-Canadian contemporary Christian singer and songwriter. In 2024, K-Anthony celebrated his most recent Juno Award – Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy – for Gospel Contemporary album of the year. Influenced by the island music, you can hear his love of Reggae, R&B and the sounds of his teenage years of bands such as Boys II Men. K-Anthony’s career is buoyed by faith, resilience, and the deep-rooted values of his upbringing. The underlying theme of K-Anthony’s music is his love for God and hope for the future in his return. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.

Second Quarter Sabbath School Lessons Review

Second quarter Sabbath School lessons overview including major themes will be presented by Dr Andrew Tompkins on March 28, 4:00-5:30 PM in the PMC Commons. Although targeted to the Sabbath School teachers, everyone is invited. For additional information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.

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.