19 Christian Friendship Quotes [And How To Make Your Friendships Last?]
Table of Contents
Friendship is undoubtedly one of life’s most valuable treasures. Friends are trustworthy acquaintances who know and respect us for who we are, regardless of what we’ve been through.
Friendship may sometimes be difficult and complicated, as it takes a lot of effort to maintain positive and successful connections with friends, yet our friends are the individuals who help us get through difficult times—the ones who often come to us with empathy.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at famous quotes and Bible passages that touch on the idea of friendship. Read on to our top tips on how to be a better friend.
“If you know people in your church or your neighborhood that are facing adversity, I encourage you to offer a hand of friendship to them. That is what Jesus would do.” – Jonathan Falwell
This quote from senior pastor John Falwell encourages the reader to reach out their hand to those who have found themselves in challenging situations, not to just ignore them. He suggests that we should always try our best to act in the same manner that Jesus would – and Jesus would always help those in need of his help.
“True, genuine worship is when man, through his spirit, attains friendship and intimacy with God. True and genuine worship is not to come to a certain place; it is not to go through a certain ritual or liturgy; it is not even to bring certain gifts. True worship is when the spirit, the immortal and invisible part of man, speaks to and meets with God, who is immortal and invisible.” – William Barclay
This next quote comes from Author and church minister William Barclay, who touches on the idea of a friendship with God. He states that worship and devotion must be true and genuine, otherwise it does not come from a place of love.
“I am convinced, by the way, that friendships provide the most fertile soil for evangelism. When the reality of Christ is introduced into a relationship of love and trust that has already been established, the effect is powerful. And it seems that invariably when someone becomes a true follower of Christ, that person’s first impulse is to want to find a friend and introduce that friend to Christ.” – John MacArthur
Here, American pastor John MacArthur reminds us of the importance of introducing your friends to Christ if you get the opportunity to. He says that this will strengthen the relationship more than you could imagine.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:12-13
This quote is taken straight from the Bible and it instructs the reader to always love others. It goes on to state that we should be willing to sacrifice ourselves for our friends and those that we love.
“Friendship is the nearest thing we know to what religion is. God is love. and to make religion akin to friendship is simply to give it the highest expression conceivable by man.” – Henry Drummond
Renowned evangelist, biologist, and writer Henry Drummond highlighted the importance of true friendship and how godly it can be.
“If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be friends, you’ll find them everywhere.” – Zig Ziglar
This quote, once spoken by Henry ‘Zig’ Ziglar is particularly insightful. He suggests that if you stop focusing on yourself and instead put out the love that you wish to receive, you’ll soon flourish as a friend.
“If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept, because you will lose one friend; on the other hand, if two strangers come with the same request, accept, because you will gain one friend.” – Augustine
This next quote comes from the ancient philosopher, Augustine. He suggests that we shouldn’t get involved in other people’s quarrels, as taking sides will always lead to the loss of someone. We should only take sides if the people in the disagreement are strangers to us, as it could form the basis of a new friendship.
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie
This quote touches on similar sentiments as quote number 6 on this list. Here, American writer Dale Carnegie shares some deep wisdom. He recommends that instead of trying to ‘win over’ friends by attempting to impress them, we should instead try to be impressed by them, and take more interest in their thoughts and feelings than our own. This is how we can attract friendship effectively.
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
This is a passage taken straight from the Bible. It suggests that if we keep our friends close, we will always have someone there to pick us up when we fall. However, if we try to get through life alone, there will be nobody there when we need help the most.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:15
This passage from the Bible suggests that we should try to inform our friends about the Lord and that they can be friends of God too.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:12 – 14
This Bible verse instructs the reader to always forgive whenever they can, as God has always forgiven them. If we follow the Lord as much as possible, we will be more able to form long-lasting, godly friendships and bonds for life.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
This Bible quote suggests that we should never aim to stand alone, but we should always be seeking new bonds. Having friends there for us in times of need will give us the strength we need to keep going.
“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” – Luke 16:9
This Bible passage taken straight from Luke advises the reader to let go of material things and not to focus on possessions. Instead, we should use our friendship to inspire others.
“It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. So to love a man that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak the painful truth through loving words, that is friendship.” – Henry Ward Beecher
This quote was once spoken by American physician Henry Beecher, and it speaks a lot of truth. He suggests that we should always call our friends out on their wrongdoings, and we should expect them to do the same to us. This will help strengthen your friendship.
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and gossip separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
The above Bible passage advises us to stay away from gossip and possible conflict, as this could lead to the breakdown of friendships.
“If instead of a gem or even a flower, we could cast the gift of a lovely thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.” – George Macdonald
Here, Scottish author and Christian minister George Macdonald talks about the importance of making our friends feel good and most importantly, loved. This is a much more valuable gift than giving your friends material items.
“Friendship… is not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” – Muhammad Ali
Renowned boxer Muhammad Ali stresses the importance of learning about good friendships while we are young.
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” – Proverbs 22:24-25
This Bible verse instructs us to avoid people that may be bad for us, such as those with quick tempers and violent tendencies, as they will only lead us further away from God.
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” – C.S Lewis
C.S Lewis, the great mind behind the Chronicles of Narnia series suggests here that while we may not necessarily need friendship to survive, it is one of the few things we stay alive for.
How to Make and Maintain Long-Lasting Friendships
Whether you’re looking to form new friendships or trying to improve the ones you already have, these following tips are for you:
Take The Lead
If you notice somebody you want to get to know, don’t wait for them to initiate contact. Contact them and strike up a discussion with them. Bring them to your home, church, or community event. Let them know that you’d like to be friends in an unthreatening, non-confrontational manner.
Reach Out
When you observe someone eating alone at school or church, walk over and join them. Talk to them and learn a little about them. Do not let fame dictate who you contact.
You’ll sometimes be astonished by the lovely characteristics hidden under a shy or uncomfortable exterior. When you break the ice by exhibiting your support and compassion, you will be showered with love and care in response.
Ask Questions
People love to talk about themselves, so start your first chat by asking this possible friend what she enjoys doing. Demonstrate enthusiasm. Find out if she participates in sports. Inquire about her favourite school subject or her relatives. Inquiry enables you to determine what you share in common.
Taking an interest in others enables them to reciprocate by taking an interest in you. remember to ask questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Listening to (and remembering) the responses is much more crucial than asking the proper questions. Interrupting is, of course, a massive no-no for practically everyone.
Be Friendly
Your face is a huge indicator of what you are feeling on the inside. So, when you’re trying to make new friends and form new bonds, it’s best to make sure that you are smiling and approaching them in a warm and friendly manner. This will put them more at ease and increase the chances of sparking up a long-lasting friendship.
Remain Patient
Allow time for friendship to develop. We frequently chase away potential acquaintances by sharing or demanding too much too quickly. Give your buddy a chance to get to know you, and give yourself the opportunity to get to know them before sharing the more intimate details of your life.
Understand that when you offer someone a piece of your heart, you are giving them a priceless gift. As a result, you want to give it to someone who will cherish it. That implies you’ll want to know if your pal can be trusted. However, it takes time, so don’t rush through the process.
Don’t Have Any Expectations
Keep in mind that not everyone will like you. Nobody likes to be shunned. However, we must recognise that when we reach out, others may deny our offering of friendship. It’ll be Ok. Keep in mind that friendship entails danger. And there are only so many pals we can have.
You can consider yourself lucky if you have 3 or 4 close pals in your life. you only have so much time to devote to friendships. You will undersell yourself if you pursue too many acquaintances; you will discover that you do not have genuine intimacy with any of them. Connection necessitates both time and effort.
Don’t give up if you find that your attempts to find a true companion have failed. Restart the process from the beginning. It’s really worth it when someone answers and a wonderful connection develops!
What To Look For In A True Friend
Trust
True friendship is found in praising, supporting, and uplifting the other individual. If you’re simply in a relationship for what you could get out of it, you’re doing it incorrectly.
A true friend is constantly loyal and looks out for the other person’s best interests.
Love
Depending on age, temperament, and hobbies, you’ll discover ways to convey affection that are truly unique to you. Do it frequently, however, you do it.
Nobody gets tired of hearing how much she is loved, treasured, and respected. The main thing is to be consistent and to ensure that your opinions are stated and received.
Transparency
Be truthful with your pals. You will automatically disclose more of yourself as you discover more about them and become even more comfortable in your connections. Take it slowly at the start.
Friendship is an ongoing process. Wait until your pals have demonstrated that they will appreciate you and cherish what you share before sharing the most personal secrets of your life.
Respect
Respect entails paying attention without interfering. It actually makes you look at your friends’ strengths rather than their flaws. It entails avoiding a damning (condemning) and critical attitude.
Rather, make certain that the words coming out of your lips are pleasant, encouraging, and respectful. Your friends should feel as if they have been regarded as the most important individuals in the world when they leave you.
Positivity
No one wants to be around someone who is constantly negative – the one who sees the glass as half empty rather than half full. Seek the best in social situations.
Then, express your positive thoughts. When you overhear someone else muttering and whining, attempt to change their negative ideas into good ones.
