Connect the DotsSample

Written by Audri, age 13 from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA

I remember when I was at a kids' camp a couple of years ago and the message was about friends who can influence your life. During the talk, the guy stood up on a chair, and their friend was on the ground. This represented the relationship between two friends. The friend standing on the chair was trying to pull his friend on the ground up onto the chair too. This represented him trying to encourage his friend to become a Christian. Then, the friend who was on the ground tried to pull the guy standing on the chair down. It was much easier for him to pull the guy on the chair down, which represented pulling him away from his faith. This example really changed my perspective on friendship. I learned that your friends will influence your life and your faith in a lot of ways! It made me think about how your friends should help build you up and grow in your faith, instead of pulling you away from your faith. 

Today, think about each of your friends. Are they helping you grow in your faith, or are they pulling you away from your faith?

Then, talk to a leader or your parent for help if you need to make a change in any of your friendships.