When I started my faith journey, I felt very alone spiritually. I realized I didn’t have friends to share my new spiritual experiences with – both the good and the bad. Looking at my friends, I saw that many old friendships had faded away, and others didn’t share my new beliefs anymore. This made me feel sad about losing these connections. I needed God-Centered Friendships
I felt very lonely and cut off from others. Being in my early twenties, a time when people usually have lots of friends and are growing as individuals. But instead, I found myself without meaningful friendships that matched my new faith. This difference between what I expected and what I was experiencing made me feel even worse.
When I felt most hopeless, I turned to prayer for comfort. I talked to God openly about my worries, fears, and need for friends. During these honest conversations, I not only looked for comfort but also made a special request. I asked God to send me new friends – not just any friends, but people who shared my love for faith and could join me on my spiritual path.
We may not want to admit it, but we were created for community—to be part of God’s family. We can’t live in isolation or survive alone in this world. Friendship provides companionship, support, and encouragement. God-centered friendships are designed to deepen our relationship with God and foster spiritual growth. When we surround ourselves with individuals who are actively pursuing their faith, we create an environment that nurtures and fosters accountability and love.
Here are some practical ways to build and maintain God-centered friendships that reflect Christ’s love.
Prioritize Your Relationship with God
It all starts with our relationships with God. How we love, pursue and show up for God will translate into how we do the same for others.
We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 NIV)
God’s love is the basis for how we should love others. As we get closer to God and understand Him better, we learn how to love in a meaningful way. This happens through reading the Bible and having a relationship with God. As we grow in our faith, we start to show God’s love and kindness in how we treat others. This change in our hearts helps us build friendships based on real care and compassion, just like Jesus taught us.
Practical Steps:
- Spend Time in Prayer and Scripture: Make daily prayer and Bible reading a priority in your life. This practice not only deepens your faith but also helps you discern the qualities you seek in friendships.
- Seek to Understand God’s Character: As you grow in your understanding of God’s love, mercy, and purpose, you’ll be better equipped to show these qualities to others.
Seek Like-Minded Individuals
You are what you keep. I am here to tell you our parents were right when they said its our friends.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV)
We tend to connect with people who have similar values and beliefs as us. This becomes even more noticeable when we go through big changes in our lives or our priorities shift.
When I realized I didn’t have many close friends, I thought about the friendships I had lost. Many of these were based on things like shared activities or being in school together, without a deeper connection through faith. As my faith became more important to me, I knew I needed to find friends who would understand and support my spiritual growth.
I realized I needed to look for new friends – people who shared my new priorities and could help me grow in my faith. Finding these God-centered friendships became really important for my personal and spiritual growth.
Practical Steps:
- Join a Church Group or Community: Creating friends is difficult, thats why you have to pursue it. Get involved in small groups, youth ministries, or adult fellowships where faith is a priority. Or saying hey to the person you seat next to in church can go along way.
- Connect Online: Use social media and online platforms to join Christian communities where you can find like-minded individuals.
Be Available
A good friendship is like two people holding a ball together. Both friends need to put in equal effort to keep the friendship strong. If one person does all the work, they might get tired and give up, which can hurt the friendship. This can happen in different ways:
- One friend might always give without getting anything back
- Another friend might always take without giving back
Both of these situations can make friends feel upset or unhappy. To avoid this, it’s important to have a balance where both friends give and receive. This creates a friendship where both people feel valued and supported.
When both friends work to keep this balance, the friendship becomes a source of happiness, comfort, and strength for both of them. This kind of balanced friendship shows the kind of love that God wants us to have for each other.
Practical Steps:
- Schedule Regular Check-ins: Set aside time for regular phone calls, video chats, or in-person meetings to maintain consistent communication.
- Follow Through: If you make plans or promises, make sure to follow through on them to build trust and reliability.
- Create Shared Experiences: Plana activities or outings that allow you to spend quality time together and create lasting memories. Examples include; volunteering together, partivipate in group bible studies and fun outings; hikes, game nights, picnics.
Pray Together
We often forget that God cares about everything in our lives, even the small things. When we ask God for good friends to help us grow, we’re letting Him be part of our relationships. This means we should keep God involved as our friendships grow. We need His help as we go through life with our friends.
Prayer is a great way to connect with God and bring friends closer. When we pray with friends, we’re inviting God into our friendships. Think of it like holding hands in a circle – you, your friend, and God. This creates a special connection that helps during hard times and makes good times even better.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20, ESV)
Praying together strengthens our friendships and helps us get closer to God at the same time. It’s a simple but powerful way to build strong, faith-based friendships.
Practical Steps:
- Set Aside Time to Pray: Designate specific times for praying for one another’s needs, both in person and through messages
- Pray Before Activities: Start outings or meetings with a prayer to invite God’s presence.
Be Intentional in Your Friendships
Building friendships centered on God takes effort and planning. We can’t just wait for good friendships to happen – we need to actively look for and grow them. This means: Choosing to spend our time and energy on these relationships, Keeping our shared faith at the heart of how we interact and Being dedicated to these friendships.
When we put this much care into our friendships, we create a space where: Our faith can grow stronger, Our connections with each other become deeper and We support each other in our commitment to God. By focusing on building these kinds of friendships, we not only make our own lives better, but we also strengthen our faith community as a whole.
Practical Steps:
- Schedule Regular Meet-ups: Set aside dedicated time for face-to-face interactions or video calls, prioritizing these appointments as you would any other important commitment.
- Plan Faith-centered Activities: Organize Bible studies, prayer walks, or volunteer opportunities that align with your shared values and strengthen your spiritual bond.
- Follow Through on Commitments: When you make plans or promises, make every effort to honor them, demonstrating reliability and respect for your friend’s time and trust.
Practice Open and Honest Communication
Being open and honest is key to building trust in friendships, especially those focused on God. When we communicate openly, we create a space where real connections can grow. This honesty lets us share our happy moments, challenges, and faith journeys without worrying about being judged. As we practice being open, we understand each other better and show more care and kindness, just like Jesus taught us. This openness also helps us support each other better in our faith, offering encouragement, keeping each other on track, and praying for one another when needed.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, ESV)
Practical Steps:
- Share Your Thoughts and Struggles: Being vulnerable can create a safe space for others to share as well.
- Encourage Open Dialogue: Invite your friends to discuss their experiences and challenges.
- Regular Check-ins: Make it a habit to reach out and see how your friends are doing, both spiritually and emotionally.
Hold Each Other Accountable
Friends who share your faith can help you grow spiritually and stay on track. These friendships create a supportive space where you can:
- Encourage each other to grow in faith
- Help each other through tough times
- Live according to your beliefs
When you support each other in your faith, you build stronger friendships. You also create a support system that can help you face life’s challenges and resist temptations. These faith-based friendships show how powerful it is when friends help each other grow spiritually. It’s like the Bible says – just as iron sharpens iron, friends can help each other become better people.
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24, ESV)
Practical Steps:
- Establish Spiritual Goals: Set mutual goals such as reading the Bible together or praying for specific needs.
- Create Accountability Systems: Regularly check in with each other to see how you’re progressing in your goals.
- Offer Gentle Correction: Be willing to offer guidance and correction based on biblical principles when necessary.
Encourage Each Other’s Gifts and Talents
Recognizing and supporting each other’s God-given talents is a great way to build stronger friendships based on faith. When we notice and encourage the special abilities God has given our friends, we create an atmosphere of respect and appreciation. This means more than just saying “good job” – it’s about actively helping our friends use their talents for God’s purposes.
By doing this, we make our friendships stronger and help each other grow spiritually. This kind of encouragement can inspire us to try new things and fully use the potential God has given us. As we support each other in discovering and developing our talents, we can see how God’s love works through our friendships to make positive changes in our lives.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”(Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Practical Steps:
- Provide Opportunities for Service: Encourage friends to use their gifts within your church or community.
- Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate each other’s successes and milestones.
- Discuss Dreams and Goals: Support each other in pursuing personal and spiritual dreams.
Practice Forgiveness and Grace
Every friendship has its ups and downs. What makes God-centered friendships special is how they handle these challenges. These friendships are built on forgiveness and kindness, just like the love God shows us. Friends who put their faith first try to understand each other and work through problems together. They look to Jesus as an example of how to treat others.
When friends disagree or someone’s feelings get hurt, those with strong faith respond with:
- Humility – admitting when they’re wrong
- Compassion – caring about how the other person feels
- A real desire to make things right
These friends know that forgiving isn’t just something you do once. It’s something you keep doing to make your friendship stronger. By being kind to each other, just like God is kind to us, these friendships show others what God’s love looks like in real life. They prove how powerful friendships based on faith can be.
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, NIV)
Practical Steps:
- Be Quick to Forgive: When conflicts arise, practice forgiveness as Christ forgave us.
- Extend Grace: Remember that everyone makes mistakes. Extend grace to your friends as God extends grace to us.
- Address Issues Lovingly: When problems occur, approach them with love and a desire for reconciliation rather than judgment.
Cultivate a Spirit of Gratitude
Being thankful for your friendships can make them stronger and remind you of God’s blessings. When you take time to appreciate your friends, you not only become closer to them but also feel more connected to God’s goodness. This thankful attitude can turn everyday moments with friends into special times that show God’s love. It creates a positive environment where you and your friends can grow in your faith and support each other
Practical Steps:
- Express Appreciation: Regularly tell your friends how much you value them and their friendship.
- Keep a Gratitude Journal: Write down specific ways your friends have blessed you or reflected God’s love.
- Pray Thankfully: Include expressions of gratitude for your friendships in your prayers.
Send a friend a card to show your appreciation of them. Get one here:
Show your appreciation for your friends
Check out our friendship cards and find the right gift for a friend.
In A Nutshell
Building God-centered friendships is a beautiful journey that enriches our lives and strengthens our faith. By prioritizing our relationship with God and intentionally investing in our friendships, we create a supportive community that encourages spiritual growth and accountability.
Take a moment to reflect on your friendships. Are they centered around God? If not, consider reaching out to a friend this week for prayer or encouragement. Share your experiences in the comments below—let’s encourage one another on this journey of building meaningful, God-centered friendships!