As the father of four children, I've loved watching my kids grow up and become friends. As a pastor I'm sure you feel the same way about your church members. Of course we want our people to become friends who share life deeply with one another. This week's sermon by Bryan Wilkerson—"Drafting Buddies"—offers a great model for helping your people become true friends. Notice how Bryan lays out the following clear, succinct Big Idea for the sermon: "As we follow [David and Jonathan] on their journey, we're going to find three ways that spiritual friends help each other find and follow God." Then notice how he takes that Big Idea and develops it throughout the sermon. It's a masterpiece in which everything in the message flows from that one Big Idea.

This week we also feature:

• Sermon Series: Living Free
• Illustration: Honest Feedback Restores a Leader

Preaching Christ,

Matt Woodley
Managing Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

P.S. Did you know that Bubba Watson, this year's winner of the Master's Golf Tournament, has publically proclaimed his faith in Christ? It's a wonderful story of a man who has set his priorities in order. Read all about it in this week's News That Illustrates column.

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.