In Leonard Sweet’s book, 11 Indispensable Relationships You Can’t Live Without,[1] he promotes the idea there are a wide variety of relationships that everyone needs to have in their lives. He clearly states at the beginning there are more than eleven, but these are the ones he picked to focus on. As I read the book, I separated out some of the characters he combines in chapters. I also added some relationships that were offered in the book, Living Beyond the Sanctuary – Discipleship in the Real World,[2] written by Glenn McDonald. He lists a few more that were not in Sweet’s book. I have also added some of my own as well. Take some time and think about who might fill these roles in your life.
Here is the list as it stands now:
Nathan (Editor) – 2 Samuel 12:1-25
Jonathon (True Friend) – 1 Samuel 13:1-31:13
BFF (Best Friend)
Confessor (Someone to really make confessions to) – 1 John 1:5-10
Jethro (Kick Starter) – Exodus 18:1-27
Sheepdog of the Shepherd (Heel-Biter)
Nehemiah (mind for mission) – Nehemiah 1:1-13:31
Syro-Phoenician Woman (Outsider who keeps you honest about what you believe) – Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28
Samaritan (Other who is totally not like you to give you the other side)
Timothy (Heir, protégé’, mentee) – Acts 16:1-5
Barnabas (Peer, Encourager) – Acts 10:26-31
Good Samaritan (Pulls you out of the ditch) – Luke 10:29-37
Inn Keeper (Person who cares for you with no questions) – Luke 10:29-37
Onesimus (Big Brother/Sister) –
Epaphras (Pray-er)
Sarah (funny bone, sense of humor, makes you laugh)
Ruth (enduring patience) – Ruth 1:1-4:21
Paul (Mentor)
Peter (Coach)
Yoda (spiritual director)
Deborah (Back-Coverer) – Judges 4:1-5:31
Cheerleader (always cheering for you)
Zacchaeus (outcast) – Luke 19:1-10
Rhoda (Youth)
Lydia (Patron/Supporter)
Lazarus (totally dependent on God)
Mary Magdalene (Stubborn Faithfulness)
Abram (Sense of Adventure) Genesis 11:27-25:11
Issachar (Sign reader)
Jacob (Art of improvisation – clever adaptability)
Eli (Listener) – 1 Samuel 1:1-4:22
Esther (helps you say no and yes) – Esther 1:1-10:3
Jerusalem (Place where you belong)
Antioch (home base of operation)
Macedonia (new context)
Judea (local region of influence)
Samaria (area of influence that is totally different from your own)
Ends of the earth (real area of influence)
Invisible 12th (Paraclete)
LORD (Whose agenda are you following?)
Who is God calling you to be?
[1] Leonard Sweet, 11 Indispensable Relationships You Can’t Live Without, David C. Cook Publishing, Colorado Springs CO, 2008.
[2] Glenn McDonald, Living Beyond the Sanctuary – Discipleship in the Real World, FaithWalk Publishing, Lima, OH, 2008.
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