Friend of a Friend

Do you feel awkward about evangelism? You're not alone.

Many Christians struggle with the gap between Jesus' call to reach the lost and the relationally uncomfortable approaches to evangelism they've been taught. What if there was a more natural way-one which aligns with how God made us as relational beings?

Friend of a Friend offers a refreshing alternative. Instead of seeing evangelism as a task to master, this book shows you how to be a genuine friend to those who don't know Jesus yet-just as Jesus was a friend to sinners.

Drawing from the rich interactions between Jesus and sinners in the Gospels, Friend of a Friend reveals how the One who was called "friend of sinners" can teach us to:

• Enjoy people as God's image-bearers
• Walk alongside others in everyday life
• Welcome interruptions with grace
• Be genuinely personal without pretense
• See and care for people where they are
• Show loyalty which reflects Christ's heart

This isn't about learning new techniques or strategies. It's about becoming the kind of friend Jesus is to you-and discovering that when you're a true friend to both Jesus and others, conversations about faith happen naturally.

If you've ever felt like evangelism required you to be someone you're not, Friend of a Friend will help you share Jesus in the most authentic way possible: by simply being a good friend.

Endorsements

I read Friend of a Friend twice. The first time, I wanted to know my friend Jesus better. I also wanted to know my friends better and gather a few more of them. Then someone mentioned that the book made him smile. So I read it again and smiled my way through it. Talking about friends will do that.
Ed Welch, Psychologist and faculty member of the Christian Counselling Foundation, author of numerous books including When People Are Big and God Is Small, Shame Interrupted, Side by Side, and Created to Draw Near.

There are few things more important in our present cultural moment of us-versus-them tribalism, than learning from Jesus what it means to be known as a “friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34). In Friend of a Friend, Peter Sondergeld helps us to uncomplicate evangelism by teaching us how to be better friends ourselves — firstly as those who experience a richer friendship with Jesus, and then secondly as those who extend genuine friendship to those around us. In each of these chapters is biblical and practical wisdom for every follower of Jesus!
Adam Ramsey, Lead Pastor at Liberti Church, Gold Coast, Australia; Director for Acts 29 Asia Pacific; author of a few books, including Honour, Faithfully Present, and Truth on Fire: Gazing at God until Your Heart Sings

Friend of a Friend is warm, conversational, and deeply challenging. With pastoral sensitivity, theological depth, and everyday wisdom, this book invites readers to meet Jesus and discover the richness of authentic friendship. Thank you, Peter, for this helpful work that points us to our truest friend, and how that motivates all other friendships.
Dr. Malcolm Gill (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary), Lead Pastor, Multicultural Bible Ministry (MBM) Sydney, author of Knowing Who You Are and Topical Preaching in a Complex World.

My fuel tank for both friendship and evangelism often feels like it is running on empty. Yet, in this book—full of Peter's pastoral warmth and biblical wisdom, and beautifully pointing towards the friendship of Jesus—I’ve received a high octane refuelling. Meaningful friendships that share Christ feel more attainable and more exciting than ever. Get ready for a top-up!
Ste Casey, Pastor Speke Baptist church, Liverpool, UK, Tutor and Speaker for Biblical Counselling UK, author of I Prayed and Nothing Changed.

Peter Sondergeld is the lead pastor of Restoration Church, which he was instrumental in planting in 2011. He served as a director of Biblical Counselling Australia from 2013 to early 2018. He is a registered teacher, counsellor and counselling supervisor. He gets excited at the thought that God might work through him to grow people up to be more thoughtful, strong and passionate. Peter and his wife Angela have four sons. When Pete isn't preaching, parenting, studying or counselling he loves to go camping and mountain bike riding or to simply play cricket in the backyard with the boys and enjoy coffee with his wife. Peter's qualifications include a Doctor of Ministry (Australian College of Theology), Master of Education & Cert BibCouns.