You’ve Got A Friend In Me

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42 ESV

Randy Newman wrote a song used in the movie “Toy Story” that went a little like this:

“You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

You've got troubles, I've got 'em too

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you

We stick together, we can see it through

'Cause you've got a friend in me

Yeah, you've got a friend in me.”

I can just read those words and hear the song in my head! It was fun to listen to as a kid and brings back fond memories from the movie that many of us enjoyed.

It reminds me of how thankful I am for true, genuine friendships. It’s those friends who keep us encouraged, motivated, and even stable during life’s most difficult circumstances. They’re the ones you laugh with, cry with, or even cry because you’re laughing so hard. They’re the friends who see you through.

When we look at the early church in the book of Acts, we see this type of friendship on display. It’s a picture of healthy relationships between people doing their best to follow Jesus. We see four elements that set the standard for what followers of Jesus should aspire to have in their friendships: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Let’s talk about it!

1. Teaching

The early disciples were regular, ordinary people. They weren’t Bible scholars, nor did they pretend to be. They were a community of believers who devoted themselves to learning more about Jesus, the Scriptures, and how to live a holy life—together.

2. Fellowship

Community was important. They didn’t do life alone. It wasn’t just about the family unit—it was about the family of God doing life together. Eating, working, serving, learning, relaxing—you name it. God’s people enjoyed fellowship with one another.

3. Breaking of Bread

Communion. This holy ordinance served as a time of reflection and repentance. They remembered what Jesus had saved them from, confessed their current struggles, and trusted His mercy and grace to carry them through.

This wasn’t done alone—it was done together.

Why? Because family helps each other through. We bear one another’s burdens, and we help those we love make it through difficult seasons. We remember together. We repent together. We live for Jesus together.

4. Prayer

This community actively prayed with and for one another. They sought the Lord together.

When you look at this biblical design for friendship and community, how does it compare to the relationships in your life?

For me, it was easy to justify why things didn’t look like this.

"People wouldn’t understand."
"I can’t trust people."
"I’ve been hurt before."

I could come up with a long list of reasons that I felt validated my lack of community—even within the local church. However, the biblical design for our lives includes healthy, Christ-centered community.

My prayer for us today is twofold:

1. That we recognize the community Jesus has already given us.
If we have healthy community, it is one of God’s greatest gifts. There is something powerful about knowing we are not doing life alone. Let’s be thankful for it.

2. That if we don’t have community, we will seek it.
Let this be our sign to actively look for people to invest our lives in so that we can experience the strong, healthy, biblical community God designed for us.

Jesus, thank You for my friends reading this devotional today. Would You speak to their hearts and encourage them? Help them recognize the community You have placed in their lives, or remind them of the deep need we all have for strong, healthy, biblical relationships.

You have given us a gift in community—help us not neglect it.

For those who have lost trust, help them see that one person, or even a group of people, does not negate the design You have put in place. Heal wounded hearts. Restore trust. Help communities thrive.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.