Changes in Our Friendships
Preached to: Middle School Students
Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn
IThis week’s message focused on how friendships naturally change over time and how those changes impact our spiritual growth and personal development. We explored how some friends draw us closer to God, while others may lead us away from His best for us. Using Hebrews 10:24-25 and Romans 12:10 as guiding scriptures, we were challenged to evaluate our friendships through a biblical lens — asking ourselves if our friends encourage us, uplift us, and help us honor God.
A fun object lesson with students illustrated how much easier it is to be pulled down than lifted up, reminding us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with spiritually strong, positive influences. We wrapped up the night with a friendship assessment, helping each student reflect on whether their closest relationships are building them up or pulling them down.
Friendships matter — they shape who we are and who we’re becoming. Choose wisely and be the kind of friend who spurs others on in faith, love, and good deeds.
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STARTER
We kicked off the night with fun icebreakers to discover common interests, reminding us that while we may share similarities with others, each friendship is unique and ever-changing.MESSAGE
The message focused on how friendships shift over time and the importance of surrounding ourselves with friends who encourage us in our faith. Using Hebrews 10:24–25, we learned what it means to “spur one another on” and how a true friend helps us grow closer to God.DIG DEEPER
An object lesson illustrated how it’s easier to be pulled down than lifted up — a powerful reminder that who we surround ourselves with greatly influences our decisions and direction. We also looked at Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to understand biblical friendship and the value of encouragement, loyalty, and godly support.APPLICATION
Students completed a friendship assessment to reflect on their current relationships, asking: Are my friends helping me honor God? Am I being that kind of friend to others? The challenge: evaluate your friendships honestly and commit to being someone who uplifts, encourages, and points others to Jesus. -
1. Hebrews 10:24–25 (NLT)
"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."2. Romans 12:10 (NLT)
"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."
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Night 1: Changing Friendships
Theme: Understanding how friendships evolve over time.
Verse: Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”Questions:
Have you ever had a friend you were really close to but drifted apart from? Why do you think that happened?
Why is it hard when friendships change or end?
How can we tell if a friendship is helping or hurting our walk with God?
Night 2: Being a Positive Influence
Theme: Becoming the kind of friend who lifts others up.
Verse: Hebrews 10:24 – “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”Questions:
Who in your life encourages you to do the right thing, even when it’s hard?
Have you ever helped a friend make a better choice? What happened?
What are small ways you can encourage your friends in their faith this week?
Night 3: Inner Circle Check
Theme: Evaluating who’s closest to you and why that matters.
Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Encourage one another and build each other up.”Questions:
Who would you say is in your “inner circle” of friends right now?
Do those friends bring out the best in you? Why or why not?
How can we be more intentional about building friendships that honor God?
