You know that friend that’s really hard to buy gifts for? Or the one who really needs some encouragement or direction, and she turns to you for support? Or how about your long-time besties from high school or college who live far away in miles but close as ever in your thoughts?
All types of friends in all types of situations can be blessed by your voice in their lives. But even more so, they’ll be blessed by God’s voice in their lives. And you can deliver it to them—in the form of Scripture.
How are some ways we can use the Bible to bless and encourage our friends? Often, the answers are simpler than we think. Here are five of my favorite ways to love and serve the women in my life with truth from God’s Word.
1. Pray Scripture over them. I am regularly hearing from friends and family about prayer needs in their lives. Even if they don’t explicitly ask for it, I lift their struggles and requests to the Lord. One of the most powerful ways we can pray for our friends is by speaking God’s words back to Him—otherwise known as “praying through Scripture.” For example:
Heavenly Father, please calm Susie’s worries and fill her with your supernatural peace, which transcends all understanding. Protect her heart and her mind in Jesus’ name. (Philippians 4:6–7)
2. Text a Bible verse. My sweet friend Marsha often sends me texts out of the blue (and from halfway across the country!) quoting encouraging and affirming Bible verses. These texts always make me smile and shore up my heart, no matter what I’m facing that day. I love knowing Marsha is thinking about me and connecting our friendship to our mutual affection for God. Whether your friend is a believer or not, give this a try, because the Bible tells us:
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11, emphasis mine)
3. Do a Bible study together. Some of my most meaningful hours spent with friends are in small group Bible studies. Find a group through your church or start one in your home or your favorite coffee shop. There are tons of Bible study resources on the market, including books like mine, which are are filled with Scripture and practical tips on how to apply it to our lives. Also, my downloadable Bible studies are perfect for gathering a group of moms and kids together for fun and valuable lessons on how to get along with siblings or how to be a good friend and choose good friends.
4. Wear God’s Word. I love bracelets and necklaces that feature Bible verses or phrases of faith. These make special gifts for the women in your life. Try Lisa Leonard, Dayspring or Fashion and Compassion for starters. I’ve also found some lovely Christian jewelry artisans on Etsy.
5. Share a Hope Deck! Last but not least, one of my very most favorite ways to share Scripture with friends is with a beautiful and versatile Hope Deck, created by my friend Jen Gordon. This is a special collection of 30 cards, 4×6 each, printed with colorful designs of encouraging Bible verses. Each card is lined on the back for writing messages if you choose.
The entire deck comes in a cotton drawstring bag, perfect for giving as gifts. Each Hope Deck is normally priced at $23, but Jen is graciously offering a special just for my readers—only $9 each when you buy two or more (one for you and one for a friend). Plus FREE shipping! {Continental U.S. only} Click HERE to access this special offer.
The best part about the Hope Deck is its versatility. How will you use yours? Get creative! In addition to gifting an entire pack to your pals, here are just some of the ways you can use your Hope Deck to bless others (and yourself):
- Display them around your home or office for a constant reminder of God’s presence. There’s even a display case available to add to your order. I bought one for each of my daughters last Christmas, and they love choosing a new card to display each week or whenever the mood strikes.
- Write a personal note on the back and give to someone in need of encouragement; you can even mail it as a postcard.
- Use the deck as recipe cards, gift tags or book marks.
- Perfect for random acts of kindness—hide the cards in library books or place them under windshields in a store parking lot. #generouslove in action!
- Let your kids decorate their room with the cards!
- Use them as decoration pieces at Bible study or special women’s events at your church, like these ladies did:
However you choose to bless your friends with Scripture, remember God’s Word is “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and it has the power to transform lives. What better gift could we give to one another, amen?
Blessings,
Becky
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