How To Make Friends At SchoolSample

Jose looked across the playground at a group of boys kicking a soccer ball. He wanted to join in, but his feet seemed glued to the spot where he was standing – right outside the door of his new school. How do kids make new friends? Jose wondered.

The doors opened and a boy Jose’s age walked onto the playground.

“Hi! You must be new,” the boy said. “I’m Martin.”

“I’m Jose,” he replied. He couldn’t think of anything to say after that.

“What do you like to do, Jose?” Martin asked.

“Monstergo!” Jose gushed. “I have more cards than anyone I know!”

“Never heard of it,” said Martin.

“Well, I always win because I have four fire dragons. Once my cousin played a water serpent against me, but I still beat him.”

“Well, later MonsterKid,” Martin said, before turning and running towards the soccer field.

“I was just about to ask what you like to do!” Jose called after him. But Martin didn’t hear.

You might think you’d make friends by impressing people, but no one wants to be friends with a bragger. When you talk only about yourself, people think you’re vain or selfish. Better is to be humble, as Philippians 2:3-4 suggests. Ask about the other person and what interests them.

Think about a conversation with a friend as a game of trading information. Try to listen more than you talk. Listen actively by looking at their eyes and pointing your body in their direction. 

Try this: Parents and kids, practice a trading-information conversation. Pretend you just met and you’re trying to get to know each other. Take turns talking and listen actively. Kids can also get practice making conversation by talking on the phone with another kid. 

Prayer: God, help me speak humbly and listen actively. Give me someone new to talk to today. I want to learn from you how to be a friend. Amen.

For More: Can you spend one day without using the words I, me, or mine?