Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes
Week 5: Chapter 4 — Discipline of Friendship
Read Chapter 4 of Disciplines of a Godly Man. Primary Scripture: Proverbs 27:17; 1 Samuel 18:1–4; John 15:13–15.
Previewing Week 5 of Disciplines of a Godly Man
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 20-week guide when you’re ready.
Hughes argues that deep, honest friendship between men is not a luxury — it is a spiritual necessity, and its absence is one of the great unspoken wounds of contemporary masculinity. Think carefully as you answer about the actual state of your friendships.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Hughes notes that many men have acquaintances but very few — sometimes zero — genuine friends. Is that true of you? When was the last time another man truly knew what was going on inside your soul?
2.The friendship of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18) is Hughes's primary biblical model. What specific qualities of their friendship stand out to you — and which of those qualities is most foreign to your own male relationships?
3.Hughes cites Proverbs 27:17 — "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." This implies friction, pressure, and occasionally pain. Do your friendships actually include honest challenge and correction, or do they stay safely comfortable?