Hello everybody. Welcome to Pastor Rick's Daily Hope. This is the Bible teaching ministry of Rick Warren.

Hey, we're so glad you're here with us today. We are continuing in a series called Talking About Stuff That Matters.

Now, in this series, Rick looks into the scriptures, and he's unpacking what it means to live in

community, have real conversation about what matters most, and face discouragement with courage

and faith. It's honest, hopeful, so stay tuned. You won't want to miss a second. And now here's

part one of a message called forming healthy friendships.

You know, in spite of the fact that today, the world is more connected by technology than ever before,

we are far more connected than previous generations.

There is an epidemic of loneliness in our world.

I don't know if you've been reading about it.

I probably read 20, 30, 40 articles this week

on the epidemic of loneliness all around the world.

The fact that over half of America in poll after poll has said,

I'm lonely.

And these are at every age and stage of life.

Little children say, great school kids say, I'm lonely.

Teenagers say, I'm lonely.

Young adults say I'm lonely.

Middle age, married couple say, I'm lonely.

Elderly people say I'm lonely.

Over half of Americans at every single stage and age of life say, I'm lonely. Elderly people say I'm lonely. Over half of Americans at every single stage and

age of life say, I'm lonely. That's an epidemic. We've never had those numbers ever in the

...