1. Beyond casual contacts
Developing lasting friendships
Ron George,
World in Need

2. Distinguishing Characteristics Accompanying Responsibilities
Level of Contact
Acquaintance
Spasmodic personal contact
Freedom to ask questions
Consider each acquaintance as a ‘Divine Encounter’; it was meant to be
Discern appropriate general questions
Casual Friendship
Based upon common interests of activities and concerns
Freedom to ask specific questions
Recognize what God has done and desires to do in each life
Discern appropriate specific questions
Close Friendship
Based upon mutual life goals
Freedom to suggest mutual projects
See potential achievement in each other’s life
Discern and develop appropriate projects
Intimate Friendship
Based on commitment to the development of each other’s character
Freedom to correct each other
Have open honesty with discretion
Discern basic causes of character deficiencies