A FRIEND IN ALL SEASONS

Friendships are incredibly important at all stages of life, but the voices of peers become particularly influential once students enter secondary school. The early years of high school are a time when relationships shift and deepen, making it the perfect moment to reflect on what makes a good friend, and how we can be a good friend.

Recently, as part of the Youth Alpha course I’ve been teaching as part of my Year 8 Christian Studies class, we asked the students to consider a profound but simple idea: thinking of Jesus as a friend. Often, we picture Jesus solely as a teacher or Lord, but viewing Him as a friend makes His love incredibly personal. As a class, we reflected on the qualities of friendship, with many responses including: a true friend listens with the intent to understand, stands by us in difficult times and celebrates our joys. 

But what does it actually look like to be a good friend in all circumstances? Sometimes this is easier said than done. Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that "a friend loves at all times." True friendship isn't just for the easy, fun days. It means showing up with empathy when a classmate is struggling, having the courage to speak the truth with kindness, and offering quick forgiveness when mistakes are made. It requires us to choose loyalty, patience, and grace, even when it feels inconvenient or difficult.

One of our school values is: love. You might think that an unusual value for a school, but the unconditional love God offers us can enable us to love others (even when they make mistakes!) and in that way, be a real and true friend. When we experience the unconditional, steadfast friendship of Jesus, it equips us to be exactly this kind of friend to others. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and love generously. 

As you go through your week, I encourage you to reflect on this: How can we mirror the resilient friendship of Jesus in our classrooms, our homes, and our community?