According to a study published in Scientific American, we each speak an average of 16,000 words per day. We like to imagine ourselves conversing with a very rich and diverse variety of people every day. But separate research studies show that we routinely talk to a very small group of the same people over and over again.

Although most of us converse with 7 and 15 every day, about 80 percent of our words are shared with a small group of about five trusted confidants, allies, and buddies. That means that close to 13,000 of our 16,000 daily words are directed at a very small group of friends and confidants. These closest coworkers, team members, family members, and friends make up our true inner circle. These are the people who think like us, care about us, and believe in us.

Possible Preaching Angles: (1) Evangelism; Outreach; Neighbors—This can illustrate the need to break out of our Christian "huddle" and build relationships with people outside the church or with people who don't know Christ. (2) Community; Body of Christ—This stat can also show the need to build friendships with people we don't know at church.