How To Teach Teenagers About Friendship

Teenagers are constantly navigating friendships, cliques, drama, and social pressure. They crave belonging—but many are settling for shallow relationships instead of real biblical community. They have thousands of “friends” on social media. Somehow, they still feel alone. They want to be accepted. Unfortunately, though, they often sacrifice authenticity to fit in. They know how to connect. Still, though, they struggle to build deep, lasting friendships. So how do we help students move beyond surface-level relationships and embrace the kind of community God designed them for? Here’s how to teach teenagers about friendship through the lens of the gospel.

1. Help Students See That They Were Created for Community

From the very beginning, God designed us for relationships. God created community before sin ever entered the world—which means that friendship isn’t just a nice thing, it’s a necessary thing.

Why This Matters for Teenagers:

• Loneliness is at an all-time high. Many students feel isolated even when surrounded by people.
• Teenagers are often tempted to go solo. Some believe they don’t need others.
• God designed us to grow spiritually in community. It’s not a solo journey.

Biblical friendship isn’t just about having people around—it’s about becoming more like Jesus together.

2. Contrast Surface-Level Friendships with Biblical Friendship

Not all friendships lead students toward Jesus—some friendships pull them away. The world offers temporary connection, but the Bible calls us to something deeper and better.

Worldly Friendships vs. Biblical Friendships

Encourage students to evaluate their friendships. Are their friends pushing them closer to Christ—or pulling them away?

3. Teach What the Bible Actually Says About Friendship

The Bible isn’t silent on friendship. In fact, biblical community is a key theme throughout Scripture.

Key Scriptures To Use To Teach Teenagers About Friendship & Community:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

True community isn’t just hanging out—it’s helping each other grow.

4. Challenge Students to Be the Kind of Friend They Want to Have

Many students want great friendships—but few are taught how to be great friends. Instead of just asking, “How do I find the right friends?” encourage students to ask: “How can I be the right kind of friend?”

3 Marks of a Biblical Friend:

Encourages instead of competes. A good friend celebrates others instead of feeling jealous.
Loves with honesty. A good friend speaks truth even when it’s hard.
Shows up consistently. A good friend is present even when it’s inconvenient.

5. Address the Fear of Being Left Out

One of the biggest barriers to biblical friendships is the fear of being left out or rejected. Students often stay in unhealthy friendships because they’re afraid of being alone.

What to Teach Students:
God is their ultimate source of belonging. In Him satisfaction is found.
They don’t need to stay in toxic friendships out of fear.
Following Jesus may cost them some friendships—but will lead to better ones.

When students find their identity in Christ, they no longer fear rejection from people.

6. Encourage Students to Build Real Community in Youth Group

Youth group isn’t just a weekly event—it should be a place where real friendships grow. Every week, you have an opportunity to teach teenagers about friendship by fostering an environment where they experience it.

How to Foster Biblical Community in Your Ministry:

Make small groups a priority. Students open up more in smaller settings.
Encourage student-led prayer & accountability. Help them learn to support one another.
Create service projects. Working together strengthens bonds.

True community is built through shared faith, not just shared interests.

Final Thought: Friendship Isn’t Just Social—It’s Spiritual

Friendships shape students’ faith more than they realize. When they surround themselves with godly community, they grow. When they surround themselves with toxic influences, they drift. Encourage your students to:

• Seek friends who push them toward Jesus.
• Be the kind of friend they wish they had. Sometimes being a great friend yield great friends.
• Trust that God has designed them for deep, meaningful relationships.

Because at the end of the day, real biblical community isn’t about having people around—it’s about growing in Christ together.

Related Posts:
How to Keep Students Engaged in Small Groups
Check out Real Friends & One – Sermon series designed to help students build deep, Christ-centered friendships.