Real Friends

Scripture: Luke 6:31

Remember the game “Simon Says”? A group of friends get together to follow the leader (aka Simon). The leader does something, and everyone else copies it. 

Believe it or not, this is actually a pretty good illustration of the way a lot friend circles work. Someone in the group does something, and everyone else follows suit. 

The truth is we all often end up following the lead of some of our friends. And while this can sometimes be a negative thing, it doesn’t always have to be. In fact, when we treat others the way this verse instructs—the way we’d like to be treated—it can often lead to ripple effects on your entire circle. 

So this week, be the leader in your friend group by treating your friends the way you want to be treated. Then watch and see how it impacts the rest of your group!

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Have you ever had the kind of friend you’re not sure is actually your friend? Someone who maybe acts like they’re your friend, but then says or does something not so friendly behind your back? Those people feel like fake friends, don’t they? And they definitely make us appreciate our real friends all the more! 

One of the best ways to find real friends is to start being a real friend to others. Because you know who trustworthy people like to hang out with? Other trustworthy people. You know who loyal people like to hang out with? Other loyal people. 

So instead of getting frustrated with your fake friends, focus on being a real friend—the kind of friend you want to attract! 

Today, think of one quality you’re looking for in a real friend. Then, ask God to help you start living out that quality for yourself this week.

Scripture: Proverbs 13:20

Have you ever stubbed your toe on the edge of a piece of furniture? It’s pretty much the worst pain in the world—at least for a moment! And in that moment, you probably think, Why didn’t I see that coming?

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone helped you see the mess you were in before it happened? If they saw you walking toward what might cause you pain and stopped you before you got there? That’s what real friends do for one another. 

When we let real friends live life close to us, they can help make us aware of things in our lives that could potentially hurt us. They can help us see the right path and encourage us to walk it. In other words, they have our back! 

This week, make an effort to look out for your friends—and ask them to do the same for you.

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

Life is full of challenges. Some are things that are in our control, like passing a difficult class or learning to get along with our younger sibling. 

But honestly, most of the challenges we’ll face in this life are things we have little or no control over. 

We can’t always control how much homework we just got assigned, how much our parents fight, or the health of someone we love. But when we face challenges like these, it’s helpful to have real friends in our lives—friends who are willing to be with us through those challenging and difficult moments. 

Scripture: Romans 12:10

Everyone loves to be celebrated! When we do something awesome like passing a big test or making the team for the first time, we want the people in our lives to be excited with us. When we’re cheered on by those we love, it makes us feel good about ourselves and our accomplishments. 

And the same is true for your friends! They want you to support and celebrate the wins in their lives just as much as you want them to do the same for you. And that’s because real friends celebrate and support one another whenever they get the chance, even if they have nothing to gain from it. 

Today, find a way to cheer on, congratulate, or even compliment a friend. This may feel like a small gesture, but your words can have a huge impact on their day!

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17

Chances are, it’s been a while since you’ve sharpened a piece of iron (like never!). Basically, the more you use iron and other metals to do things like chop food and make dinner, the duller those metals become. But when two pieces of metal are rubbed together, they can actually make each other sharper and shinier—almost like new! 

In the same way, as we go throughout our week at school, in the halls, at practice, and even at home, eventually we can become tired and worn out. Having the right friends in our lives to encourage and support us can make us sharp again. 

In the moments we’re feeling “dull,” the right friends can build us up, making us “sharper” for the day ahead. 

Who’s one person you can reach out to for some encouragement the next time you’re feeling exhausted or discouraged?

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9

Have you ever tried to move something really heavy on your own only to realize you were going to need some extra help? In those moments, “two” are clearly better than “one”—just like today’s verse is talking about. 

And this isn’t just true when it comes to rearranging your furniture. Friends can help us share the load in lots of areas. 

·  Studying for a test? Two are better than one. 

·  Practicing some soccer drills? Two are better than one. 

·  Saying “no” to that thing you shouldn’t go to on Friday night? Two are better than one. 

In other words, when someone else joins you in something you need to do or a decision you need to make, it’s just easier to make it happen. 

Is there an area of your life where you could use the extra help of a friend right now? Today, reach out to a friend and ask for help in that area. You won’t regret it!

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Isn’t it true that sometimes the day-to-day things in life can leave us feeling overwhelmed? Sure, life can throw us big challenges at times, but sometimes just making it through the day is a challenge in and of itself! 

This isn’t just a “you” thing; this is true for your friends, too. We all can feel stressed and overwhelmed by everyday life. And when we do, a little encouragement from one friend to another can change the vibe of the entire day. 

Today, make it your goal to encourage a friend or two. There doesn’t have to be a big reason; instead, encourage them simply because they are your friend! Just shoot them a text or say something quick as you’re passing in the hall. 

You never know how one sentence of encouragement might change someone’s day.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:33

“Character” can be a tricky word to really define, but here’s one way to think about it: Character is your values in action. 

For instance, you valuetelling the truth so you tell the truth. You know what? You just showed character! 

Today’s verse tells us that there’s something in our lives that threatens our character. What is it? “Bad company.” Bad friends can make it tougher to put your values into action. If you value making wise choices and you hang with friends who are making unwise choices, it’s going to be tougher to make wise choices, right? 

But the flipside of this verse is also true: Good company reinforces good character. In other words, hanging out with friends who make wise choices make it EASIER to make wise choices, too. 

Who’s one person you need to start hanging out with MORE to reinforce your good character? Text them and make plans to hang out this week!

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24

Without realizing it, most of us tend to view our friendships as one-way streets. Our friends are there to make our lives better . . .

·  To give US people to sit with at lunch.

·  To give US people to go to the game with

·  To give US people to have fun with on the weekend. 

But what if our friendships aren’t supposed to just go one way? 

Today’s verse encourages us to think about ways we can spur each other on. And while that might sound like a lot of work or effort at first, it really doesn’t have to be. Spurring one another on might just mean making sure everyone’s included in the group text. Or it might just mean showing up at the game to cheer on a friend. 

Whatever the case may be, spurring one another on doesn’t have to be daunting, weird, or take a lot of effort. It just requires you to be intentional about making your friendships a two-way street! 

How can you intentionally spur on the people in your friend group this week?

Scripture: Mark 12:31

We do a lot for ourselves. Just think about it! We eat when we’re hungry, brush our teeth, try to get at least a few hours of sleep every night, and work hard for the things we want (like our grades, our team, or our jobs). 

Why do we do all of that? Because we view ourselves with a sense of value. We believe that we’re worth it. 

What if we treated the people we may not consider to have that same worth or value in our lives the same way? The people we don’t see as our friends? 

That’s exactly what Jesus called us do to—show them the same, care, value, and love we show ourselves. Write today’s verse on a notecard and carry it around in your pocket as a reminder to teat others well—the way you treat yourself.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

We’ve all been hurt by others. And to be honest, we’ve all hurt someone else, too. That’s just the way it goes sometimes! But what if all there was a way that all those wrongs and hurts could be healed? 

Even though there will always be hurt between people, there’s also always a chance that things can get better. Despite the bad history, angry feelings, and what can seem like a hopeless future, choosing to simply love the other person can go a long way to heal the hurt in your relationship. 

How can you show love to someone who has hurt you? Or someone you have hurt? 

Today’s challenge: Intentionally show kindness to someone you’ve been struggling with lately. It might not fix anything, but it’s a step in the right direction!

Scripture: Colossians 3:13

It’s easy to hold grudges against other people. But in the long run, those grudges actually end up hurting us way more than they do them! Why? Because they stir up bitterness, anger, and frustration within us. 

So, what if we decided to forgive that person instead? To let go of the grudge and in turn, the feelings we’re holding onto with it? 

Forgiveness doesn’t mean what the other person did wasn’t wrong or didn’t hurt you. But it is the first step in saying that you won’t let that hurt define you. Is there a grudge you’ve been holding against someone in your life? 

Today, ask God to help you stop holding on to it and start forgiving that person—just as God has forgiven you.

Scripture: Romans 15:2

We all know what it feels like to have someone do something nice for us. When that happens, doesn’t it feel good to know someone is looking out for you? 

Well, you don’t have to wait for that to happen to you! You can show up for others in the same way first! When we choose to build up others by helping them or encouraging them, we’re showing them that they matter. 

The truth is, it’s pretty easy to overlook and even tear down the people around us; the harder (but better!) thing to do is build them up. 

Today, talk to someone new—maybe a new neighbor, someone in your class, or someone new on your team. As you do, look for an easy way to build them up.

Scripture: Luke 6:27

At first glance, this verse doesn’t really make sense, does it? It’s basically telling us to do the exact opposite of what seems normal and fair. 

But have you ever thought that maybe what we see as normal or fair might not always be right? The truth is, we don’t always know someone’s full story—what things they might be dealing with at home, at school, or in their minds. 

People who are hurting inside often take it out on the people around them. And though it doesn’t excuse bad behavior, remembering that does help us to better be able to put this verse into practice in our relationships. 

Today, try praying for someone you haven’t been getting along with lately. Ask God to help you start seeing them differently and to walk with them through whatever tough situations they may be facing right now.