Translations:DEV 23FN Blessing Others/7/en

Read Luke 9:28-31. 'Friendship and loving support of others is an essential component in the long and challenging journey of following Jesus. Without the encouragement, support and accountability of others we are far more vulnerable to spiritual attack and discouragement. Even strong, gifted, deeply spiritual leaders need to build around them the support of an inner circle of close friends. Jesus modelled this for us. In the midst of all the crowds who followed, all the disciples who listened and served with him, he invested deeply into the 12 and even more so into three of that close circle, Peter, James and John. In Luke 9:28-31 we see that three were invited to share in the high point of his transfiguration when Jesus was …...and again in Mark 14:32-36 we see the same three were invited to go further with Jesus to share in the darkest hardest hour as he prayed in the garden before his betrayal.' Read Mark 14:32-36. 'Jesus deliberately took his closest friends with him to share the experience of his highest and lowest moments, his joys and his fears, struggles and victories. He wanted and needed their support, prayer and encouragement. In the garden of his tears he said “My soul is overwhelmed with sorry to the point of death...stay here and keep watch with me.” Strong leaders know their need for others and cultivate their inner circle of ‘garden friends’. Who are your ‘garden friends’ and what can you do to grow them further? '