What Kids Need
Kids Need Good Friends
(Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:17)
The Situation: Children ask each other, "Will you be my friend?" Most kids are desperate to "belong." They are afraid of being excluded and want to fit in with their peers. But many children lack the ability to distinguish good friends from bad. They fall prey to those who do not reflect Christian values.
The Solution: God created people to enjoy a variety of relationships. The first step to having good friends is being a good friend. King Solomon summed up friendship in one sentence: "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17). Teach a child to love, and he or she will develop solid, healthy friendships.
What You Can Do: Help your child search for good friends, just as he or she would seek valuable treasure. Discuss each phrase of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 together, substituting the word "friends" for "love." Explain that friendships take time to grow strong. Pray for your child, asking God to make him or her a good friend-and to provide many good, lasting friendships.
