When speaking about the Art of Living, Rodan, the Greek philosopher, placed great emphasis on the value of friendship. In this episode of Study Group, we’ll review some of his wise words on this topic, which will lead into a consideration of angelic efforts to arrange human associations that are based on “real self-understanding and genuine mutual appreciation.” (39:3.4) The divine spirit presence that lives within each of us helps us to realize that we do indeed live in a friendly universe! Not only did Jesus teach the idea of friendship with God, he actually demonstrated a divine standard of friendship that inspired the profound loyalty of his apostles. Through the Spirit of Truth, we can likewise develop a growing friendship with Jesus, who we can always turn to for moral inspiration, spiritual guidance, and divine companionship. -CT ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0gUIVnht9g

(Part 1 of a 4 part study on faith) ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHnNC_WD7eo

... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHKsW4uFobk

In this, the fourth and final episode of our study series on faith, we look to Jesus for his inspiring mastery of the power of living faith, as it joined his human and divine natures into a living revelation of the “divine inheritance” that can also be ours, “but for the asking.” (106:6.17) We refer to Jesus fondly as “the Master.” Not only did he truly and fully master the experience of being human, but he also demonstrated a “new and higher type of living faith in God.” (196:0.3) In Jesus, we find a human life that was guided exclusively by unquestioning loyalty to the Father’s will. The greatest human test of this faith determination was undoubtedly witnessed during the heart-wrenching scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to his arrest. As he prayed, “his humanity laid a firmer faith-hold upon his divinity.” This gave him the spiritual strength to endure the final hours of his mortal life with divine dignity, convinced that the Father’s will was to “allow natural events to take their course.” (182:3.7) In the faith of Jesus, we see the tender trust of an ideal parent-child relationship. We also see how this faith-trust can inspire a robust and courageous life. Jesus “resolutely surmounted extraordinary difficulties, and unflinchingly confronted the stern requirements of duty.” (196:0.14) - CT ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW6OQgtRxyI