Healthy Relationships: Building Friendships and Dating with God in Mind
Bible Verse: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” — Luke 6:31
Relationships: The Best and Hardest Part of Life
Friendships, dating, family—they can bring so much joy, but also so much heartache. Ever had a friendship fall apart? A dating relationship that left you feeling empty? You’re not alone.
Here’s a fact: Peer relationships are one of the biggest influences on teen mental health and decision-making (CDC, 2022).
The world has a lot to say about relationships: “Make them like you.” “Play hard to get.” “Put yourself first.” But Jesus flips that script. He says: “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34).
Friendships That Build You Up
Good friends:
Encourage your faith.
Cheer you on in your goals.
Call you out (with love) when you’re going off track.
Toxic friends:
Gossip about you.
Pressure you into unhealthy choices.
Make you feel small or unimportant.
Ask yourself: “Are my friendships drawing me closer to God—or pulling me away?”
Dating with Purpose, Not Pressure
Dating can feel like a maze with bad advice everywhere. But here’s the truth: God cares about your heart. Healthy dating looks like:
Mutual respect.
Honesty and open communication.
Boundaries that honor God.
Practical Steps for Healthy Relationships
Set Clear Boundaries: Know what you will and won’t compromise.
Surround Yourself with Solid Friends: Find people who push you closer to Jesus.
Keep God in the Center: Pray about your friendships and dating relationships.
Tools for Building Healthy Relationships
Boundaries in Dating (Book by Henry Cloud): A must-read for dating with intention.
YouVersion Bible Plans: Devotionals on relationships.
Axis.org Conversation Kits: Tools for talking about relationships with mentors.
Your Relationships Reflect Your Heart
Whether it’s friendships, family, or dating—relationships are a reflection of what’s happening in your heart. Keep God at the center, and everything else will fall into place.
Need Help Navigating Relationships? 🌟
Dr. Layne McDonald offers coaching to help teens build friendships and relationships rooted in faith and love.
👉 Start building healthy connections at www.laynemcdonald.com
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