Community Guidelines

Last Updated: March 15, 2026

Our Mission

Scriptures with Friends exists to help people grow spiritually through scripture study and mutual encouragement. We want this to be a positive, uplifting space where friends can support each other's faith journey.

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." — Proverbs 27:17

Our Values

Respect

Treat everyone with kindness and respect, even when you disagree.

Safety

Keep this a safe space for sincere spiritual seeking and sharing.

Encouragement

Build each other up. Celebrate progress and support struggles.

Authenticity

Share genuine thoughts and experiences from your spiritual journey.

Expected Behavior

Do:
  • Be respectful: Remember there's a real person on the other side of the screen
  • Be thoughtful: Take time to write meaningful study notes that could help others
  • Be encouraging: Celebrate when friends complete their studies
  • Be authentic: Share your genuine insights, questions, and spiritual experiences
  • Be humble: Approach scripture study with a learning mindset
  • Ask questions: It's okay to not have all the answers
  • Share struggles: Vulnerability helps us grow together
  • Respect privacy: Don't share others' study notes outside the platform
Don't:
  • Post hateful content: No racism, sexism, homophobia, or other bigotry
  • Harass others: No bullying, threats, or personal attacks
  • Share inappropriate content: No profanity, sexual content, or graphic violence
  • Spam: Don't send excessive friend requests or duplicate content
  • Proselytize aggressively: While sharing beliefs is natural, don't pressure others
  • Argue theology combatively: Respectful discussion is fine; contentious debate is not
  • Plagiarize: Don't copy others' study notes and present them as your own
  • Impersonate: Don't pretend to be someone you're not
  • Share personal information: Don't post phone numbers, addresses, or other private details

Study Notes Guidelines

Your study notes are visible to your friends. Here's how to make them valuable:

Good Study Notes:

  • "I noticed how Jesus showed patience with the disciples even when they didn't understand. This reminds me to be more patient with my kids."
  • "The phrase 'perfect love casteth out fear' really stood out to me today. I've been anxious about work, and this helped."
  • "I'm struggling to understand this parable. The imagery is confusing to me."
  • "This passage about forgiveness is challenging. I know I need to forgive someone but I'm not there yet."

Inappropriate Study Notes:

  • Copy-pasted commentary without personal reflection
  • Off-topic rants about politics or current events
  • Criticism of other religions or believers
  • Doctrinally combative statements meant to provoke argument
  • Complaints about the app or other users (Reach out to support@scriptureswithfriends.org for complaints)
  • Content with no connection to scripture study

Friend Connections

Making Friends

  • Send friend requests to people you actually know or want to study with
  • It's okay if someone declines your friend request—respect their choice
  • Don't send bulk friend requests to strangers

Being a Good Friend

  • Read your friends' study notes when you have time
  • Be encouraging when friends are consistent
  • Be supportive when friends are struggling
  • Respect that everyone's spiritual journey is different
  • If a friend shares something sensitive, keep it confidential

Diverse Beliefs Welcome

Scriptures with Friends is used by people from various faith traditions who study different scriptures. We welcome this diversity.

  • Respect different perspectives: Your interpretation isn't the only valid one
  • Share your beliefs: But don't attack others' beliefs
  • Focus on learning: Not proving who's right
  • Find common ground: Most faith traditions share values of love, service, and growth

Remember: The goal is mutual encouragement in spiritual growth, not theological debate.

Reporting Violations

If you see content or behavior that violates these guidelines:

  1. First option: Remove the friend connection if it's bothering you
  2. Serious violations: Email us at support@scriptureswithfriends.org with:
    • The user's email address
    • Description of the violation
    • When it occurred
    • Screenshot if possible

Note: We're a small team and may not be able to respond immediately, but we take reports seriously.

Consequences

Violations of these guidelines may result in:

  • Warning: For minor or first-time issues
  • Content removal: Inappropriate study notes or content deleted
  • Temporary suspension: Account temporarily disabled
  • Permanent ban: Account permanently deleted for serious or repeated violations

Serious violations (harassment, hate speech, threats) may result in immediate permanent ban without warning.

Questions?

If you're unsure whether something is appropriate, err on the side of kindness and respect. When in doubt, ask yourself:

  • Would this encourage someone's spiritual growth?
  • Would I say this to someone face-to-face?
  • Is this respectful to people with different beliefs?
  • Would I want my friends to see this?

Still have questions? Contact us at support@scriptureswithfriends.org

Thank you for being part of our community!

By following these guidelines, you help create a positive environment where everyone can grow spiritually and encourage one another in their faith journey.

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