Product Information

Author / Ajith Fernando

Foreword by / Edgar Metzler

ISBN / 9789670341040

Publisher / PVM Harvest Resources by special arrangement with and permission of Dr. Ajith Fernando

Format / Paperback (Soft Cover)

Language / English

Number of Pages / 160

Dimensions: 13cm x 19.5cm x 1.0cm

Weight / 180 g

Author Description

AJITH FERNANDO was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and studied at Asbury and Fuller Theological Seminaries. He has been the National Director of Youth for Christ (YFC) in Sri Lanka since 1976. With his wife Nelun, he has been active in a local church ministering primarily to the urban poor for more than 20 years. He is on the translation team of a new Sinhala language Bible, and also preaches worldwide. His ministry includes mentoring younger staff and counselling Christian workers.

Product Description

Friends, We all crave them.

Yet how do we nurture friendships in a frenzied, fragmented, fallen world?

Ajith Fernando sees the obstacles. But he convinces us that even today we can make true friends.

Drawing insights from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, this book shows us how to find friends, fulfillment, and wisdom through –

• commitment
• Christian discipline
• spiritual accountability
• team ministry
• service to others
• reliance on God’s strength

“Anyone who wants to take up the challenge of developing significant relationships will find Ajith Fernando a stimulating and practical guide.”

—From the Foreword by Edgar Metzler,
    Executive Director
    United Mission to Nepal, Kathmanda, Nepal

Contents

1. Friends and Real Friends
     Two types of friends
     Friends versus cliques
     Alien to our culture
     The marriage relationship

2. Team Ministry
     New Testament ministry teams
     Effectiveness of teams
     Friendship at team meetings
     Colleagues as friends
     Leaders as friends

3. Friendships in a Fallen World
     Wisdom about whom to trust
     Sensitivity to each others' schedules
     Sinful sexual relationships
     The vulnerability of friendship
     The primacy of friendship with God

4. Unselfish Commitment
     Selfish relationships
     Leaving a group
     Covenant love and discipline
     Commitment to pray

5. Commitment in Times of Trouble
     The unfaithful
     For better, for worse
     Self-fulfillment through friendship

6. Wisdom Through Friends
     Advice regarding our plans
     Advice regarding our behavior
     Becoming wise people
     Beyond receiving advice

7. The Wounds of a Friend
     Wounds versus flattery
     Wounds that increase understanding
     Fools
     Teachable people

8. Friendship and Uncontrolled Tongues
     Insincere words
     Gossip
     Confronting sins of the tongue

9. The Comfort of a Friend
     Covering offenses
     When we fall
     Spiritual accountability versus superficial fellowship
     Warmth in times of need
     Strength to defend ourselves
     Friendship and personal problems
     The pleasantness of friends

Appendix: Organizational Goals and Our Personal Vision

Index of Principle Texts Discussed

Commentaries and Studies on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes