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5 Important Things to Teach Your Child about Growing Godly Friendships · 5–Minute Parenting: Tips to Help You Raise Competent, Godly Kids.

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to another episode of the Five Minute Parenting Podcast.
• 0:05
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Karen Ferguson, wife, mom, grandmom, and children's book author, with a background in K-8 education and a passion for equipping parents to raise confident and God-confident kids.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: In this podcast, we'll cover parenting practices from both a practical view and a biblical view.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: Our goal is to help you raise kids with a positive, godly self-image so they can become all they were created to be.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: I know you're busy, so we'll keep it short.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Let's take just five minutes and dive in.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to another episode of Five Minute Parenting.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Karen, your show host, and today we're talking about friendship.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: This is such an important topic because friends are important.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: The ability to grow lifelong friendships is critical for our kids' well-being and quality of life.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: God knows our desires to be known and loved, to have a sense of belonging, and he's the one who made us for companionship.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: He said to Adam in the garden that it's not good for man to be alone.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: And that includes women too.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: A loyal, faithful friend can be one of the greatest sources of love, joy, and encouragement in our lives.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: But like any life skill, kids tend to thrive when they have the guidance and example of loving parents.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: So today I'm sharing five important things you can teach your children about making and growing godly friendships.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_00: One, to have friends, be a good friend.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, it's a cliche, I know, but only because it's true.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: The best way to make friends is to be friendly.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: Has your child ever said, no one wants to be my friend?
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: That's the saddest thing to hear as a parent, but it's not uncommon.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Could it be because they're waiting for others to make the first move?
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: Help your child learn to be friendly and reach out to others by demonstrating it for them.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_00: Smile and strike up a conversation in the grocery line or at your favorite restaurant.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Share a resource with your neighbor.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Be generous with your compliments to others, including your child.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: These examples of friendliness and kindness will be an example to your kids and help them grow in their confidence, reaching out to others.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: Two, it's important to have regular discussions about the qualities that make a good friend.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: In this way, you're teaching them how to be a good friend, but also what a good friend should look like for them.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: This will help them set healthy relationship boundaries as they mature.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: So, what do good friends do?
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: Well, they listen to each other, they celebrate each other, they stand together when they need to, they say sorry when they've hurt or offended each other, and they encourage and pray for each other.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: Three, be quick to forgive.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, this is a tough one for most of us, but it's it's critical for our own relationships with God.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: All friends bicker at times.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: Learning to forgive is one of the most important lessons we can teach our kids because the Bible's clear that we're not to harbor bitterness, but we're to forgive others.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: Colossians 3:13 says, bear with one another and forgive one another.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: If any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: Even the best of friends will make mistakes and hurt those they love.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: Share this with your kids and share your own experiences and struggles with them when appropriate.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: Your transparency will bring comfort knowing they aren't alone.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: Brainstorm ways with them to get past the struggle to forgive.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: Three, don't compromise your character to fit in.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: It's never worth it.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: It's far too easy for our kids to go along with the crowd to be accepted.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: Let's teach our kids to be courageous and willing to stand out.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_00: Having a lot of friends can be a blessing, but not at the expense of doing what they know is right.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: This isn't an easy lesson to learn, but your support as a parent, knowing that you have their back, will go a long way to help them make this hard decision when necessary.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_00: Four, choose your friends wisely.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: The Bible's clear about this.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: It says in 1 Corinthians 15, 33, bad company corrupts good character.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_00: Friends will have a profound influence on your child's life.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_00: I know from personal experience just how profound it can be.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: It was ungodly influences in high school that drew me away from the Lord and into a season of rebellion.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_00: As parents, remember you have the role and the right to speak into your child's friendships, especially when they're young.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: Know who your kids are hanging out with, what they're doing, and if these friends have similar values.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: The key is keeping the lines of communication open with your children, letting them know that you're coming from a place of love and concern and not necessarily control.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: When you can, pray with them to ask God to provide godly relationships.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: I always come back to that Bible verse that every good and perfect gift is from God, and that includes relationships.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: And five, remember, Jesus is your ultimate friend.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_00: Teach your children from an early age that Jesus is the best friend they could ever know and tell them often how much you love them too.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: Kids who know they're valued and loved at home and by God will have an easier time making new friends.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: They'll be more secure in their Psalm 139 identity as a beloved child of God, created by Him on purpose and for a good purpose.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: They'll also be less likely to look to their peers for things that really only God can give.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: So tell your child every day you love them and remind them that God's love for them is never changing, never failing, and never ending.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_00: Well, that is it for today.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for taking a few minutes out of your day to listen.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: I hope this was helpful to you.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_00: Be sure to check back next week for another episode of Five Minute Parenting.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: And be sure to check the show notes for my website where you can find more information on this and other helpful resources.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, have a blessed week.