Imagine going out to recess and having a brand new kid ask to join your favorite game, or sitting down at lunch next to someone who feels completely left out. You might wonder how to start talking to them, what games to play, or how to turn a classmate into a really great buddy! Building awesome friendships is one of the most exciting parts of growing up, but knowing how to make and keep good friends takes practice.
The truth is, having great friends doesn’t just happen by accident! The Bible shows us that if we want to have good friends, we have to start by learning how to be a good friend first. God made us to live in community and care for each other, and He cares deeply about how we treat our friends because our relationships can reflect His amazing love to the world!
Proverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
So what does building great friendships actually look like in everyday life? It means putting other people first instead of always needing to get your own way! Being a good friend means listening when someone is talking, cheering on your buddies when they succeed, and choosing to share your favorite toys or video games. It also means showing grace and forgiveness when a friend makes a mistake or has a bad day.
Whenever you are at school, sports practice, or playing in your neighborhood, give yourself a quick friendship check! Ask yourself: “Am I treating my friends the way I want them to treat me?” You can choose to be the kind of encouraging, loyal friend who brightens up someone else’s day. Practice being a great friend this week and show Jesus’ amazing love to everyone around you!
Talk About It
- If you could invent a super crazy, high-tech robot friend to hang out with for a day, what cool features would it have and what game would you play first?
- What is our main Bible truth today, and where can we find it in the Bible?
- Parents, when you were kids, who was your best friend and what made that friendship so special to you?
- Why is it sometimes really hard to be a good friend when someone gets bossy or wants to play a game you don’t like, and how can Jesus help us be patient?
- What is one practical thing our family can do to be an encouraging friend to someone in our neighborhood or school this week?