Friends: Being a Good Friend

by Whitney Jones

We all desire friendship. It is a basic human need to want to be with other people. Friends are a necessary part of life. In the world we live in there are positive and negative friends we can surround ourselves with. Proverbs tells us what makes a good friend and how to develop and maintain meaningful friendships.

“A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes.” -Proverbs 17:17

As parents it’s our job to help guide our children to finding good friends. And once your child develops good, healthy friendships, you need to help foster those relationships.

So, what should you look for in friends for your child?

Here are a few things to consider:

• ·        Does the friend encourage others in a positive light?
• ·        Is the friend servant minded?
• ·        Does the friend have a good relationship with family?
• ·        Does the friend have similar values as your family?
• ·        Is the friend a Christian or at least being discipled in that path?

These are the kind of friends you want your child hanging out with, a friend that is going to influence your child to be a better person, a friend that brings out the best in your child. A friend that is Christ like.

So, have you given much thought to your child’s friends? 

If not, why not try to get to know the friends that your child spends the most time with, and try and discover what kind of influence they are having in the life of your family.  You can also challenge your child to set the example and be the kind of influencer who encourages, serves and points others to Christ.