There are ways to teach your children to be good friends that align with God’s Word. As Christians we want our children to treat others well, value friendship, and show the love of Christ. We can pray for our children and instill biblical truths that they can learn to apply to their friendships and the way they treat others. We can trust that God will work in their hearts if we are faithful and show them the way. Proverbs 22:6 NIV says “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” This verse explains the importance of raising children by teaching them according to the Bible.
Whenever my children tell me about misbehavior they witnessed, I try to take that as an opportunity to remind them what they should do in that situation. Deep inside, they knew that behavior was wrong and wanted to expose it. My husband and I try to teach our children the value of being a good friend who shows the love of Christ to everyone. A friend who is intentional and kind and who values people and relationships. Because we want our children to see that classmate playing alone, and choose to be kind to them even when it’s not the popular thing to do.
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If you are a parent and you want to teach your children to be good friends and show others the love of Christ then below is a list of ways to do that.
What Are Ways To Teach Your Children To Be A Good Friend?
1) Teach Your Children To Treat Others How They Want To Be Treated
There are many ways to teach your children to be good friends and how to treat others. Luke 6:31 (NIV) says “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This verse shares how to teach children to be good friends by focusing them on how they’d feel if they were treated poorly. We should remind them that friendship is God’s gift to connect with others. And we are not meant to walk life alone. Teaching them that following Jesus requires us to put others before ourselves and show love to everyone. And if we are a good friend to others, we will be living out the gospel message.
2) Teach Your Children To See The Good In Others
You can teach your children to be good friends by teaching them to see the good in others. Outwardly, we don’t know what others are going through behind closed doors. One important thing to acknowledge is bad behavior can often result from pain in someone’s life. So we should never be quick to judge, so teaching our children to look for good in others and give them a chance. To not be judgemental and too quick to judge. Ultimately, showing our children to look for the good in others, is helping them live out the gospel.
3) Teach Your Children To Deal With Conflict In A Godly Way
Realistically, at times, children will face conflict with a friend. Particularly the closest friends are when conflict causes the deepest hurt. As Christian parents teaching our children to deal with conflict biblically is important. Remind them how it’s important to forgive and try to make things right. Not to be push-overs but to maturely stand up for themselves and aim to resolve issues gracefully. Romans 12:18 (NIV) says “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Ultimately showing our children how to be peacemakers and strive to live in peace with others.
This Visual Kids Study Bible is a great one for instilling God’s truth in their hearts and getting them excited about learning biblical truths.
4) Teach Your Children To Be Aware Of Those Who Don’t Have Friends
Teach your children to be good friends by acknowledging those who don’t have friends. Not everyone has friends in their life, some people struggle to find valuable friendships. Younger school-aged children often have the wrong priorities when choosing friends. Caring about popularity rather than quality friendship. Countless pressures are on children to fit in, follow trends, and keep up with peers. As Christians, our lives should look different, and we should teach our children to be friends with the outcasts. Viewing friendship through biblical ways, walking in love, and living out the high calling the Bible calls us to.
5) Teach Your Children That They Are In The World But Not Of The World
Teach your children to be good friends by teaching them how to be in the world but not of the world. In John 15:19 (NIV) it says “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” Our children should learn that we live in the world but we were created to look different. Because God saved us from the darkness of this world, so we should be examples of light in the darkness. And we don’t have to look like the world but like Christ. Ultimately, everything we do should point others back to Christ.
6) Teach By Being An Example
Leading by example is the best way to teach your children to be good friends, they see everything and follow suit. Because they see how we treat others, how we speak to them, and whether we show love in interactions. So we need to show our children how to be good friends in action, not just verbally. Because we can’t expect our children to live by higher standards than we live by, God has given us the authority and ability to raise our children in biblical truths and to be the example they should follow.
7) Teach Your Children Biblical Examples Of What It Looks Like To Be A Good Friend
There are lots of examples in the Bible of good friendships, like Ruth and Naomi and David and Jonathan. As Christian parents, we can share stories from the Bible as ways to teach our children valuable lessons about friendship. Reminding them how the Bible is the Word of God and that offers examples we should try to follow. We can explain why these biblical friendships modeled true friendship and pleased the Lord.
There are several ways to teach your children to be good friends. As parents, we have a responsibility to raise our children to a higher standard than the world’s and raise them according to God’s Word. Teaching them to be a good friend and showing them Christ who is the purest example of living a life of love. By teaching our children that there is value in being a good friend and that it’s a gift we were meant to enjoy. Raising them in biblical truths that set them apart from the world. Let’s be faithful and show our children how to be a loving friend.
