My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12
I first realised the (glaring) lack of Christian friends in my life when I considered leaving the religion. I’d like to say I wasn’t serious about turning my back on my faith but the whole “Love everyone” bit was getting to me.
I had just been to a family gathering and those always test my patience. What really bugged me about this gathering was that it was the Christian thing to forgive…But then what? I had to put up with the same mistreatment over and over again? (The answer to this is “No” by the way but we’ll discuss this in another post).
I sought advice from my only Christian friend- someone I knew from high school who had moved overseas for work a few months ago. Once she calmed me down and assured me that my feelings were valid, I turned my sorrows to someone else. I begged God to send me a Christian support system. It was difficult enough working remotely and feeling so alienated from my colleagues. But I missed having some sort of social system. And this return to Christianity was difficult. Surely there was someone there who could help me?
I was contacted by a member of my church that very next week to suggest that I join a home cell. I agreed and the rest is history. Looking for a few ways to make Christian friends? Here are 5 tips to help you out.
1. Ask God for Guidance
You want the right kind of people to be your support system so seek Him first and explain what you need. I was chatting to a friend (the same one who invited me to home cell in the first place) and explaining my gratitude for her because that simple invite changed my life when she explained to me that she had also been praying for a friend. Beyond that, while I had been at home crying my eyes out over my aloneness, someone had already reached out to her and told her that they thought we’d get along great. I had chills. You mean to tell me while I was crying out to my Father for a support system, He was already working behind the scenes to set things into place for me????
Ask Him to send the right people your way. Trust me. You will NOT regret it.
2. Lean into the Discomfort
Making friends as an adult is tough. We ALL feel it. Go with it. Admit that it feels a little strange. You could make a small joke about it. We’re all struggling here in life and we all could do with a kind word or another friend. Accept that it might feel uncomfortable now but you’ll get used to it.
3. Look for Clubs in Your Church
This could be clubs based on similar interests, home cell or Bible study. This is an excellent way to get to meet other Christians in a low-pressure way. You can get to learn each other personality’s before you decide whether or not you would make great friends.
4. Social Media
By commenting on social media posts, blogs, etc you can connect with other Christians online. This is honestly one of my favourite ways to make new friends because you never know what you can learn from other people. This may not be a tight-knit friendship but I love hearing from other people about their insights and experiences as Christians.
5. Volunteer
Find a cause that you’re passionate about- animals, people, children- and join as a volunteer. This is a great way to meet like-minded people while helping your community out. An added bonus is if you meet a friend as a volunteer you already know two things- 1) they’re kind and 2) you guys are passionate about a cause which means you already have something in common. YAY!
How did you make friends with other Christians? Let me know below.