Grow deeper, healthier friendships in your everyday life with help from these great books. As always, these are affiliate links that help support my ministry at no additional cost to you.
I’ve always wanted deep relationships. Even as a kid, I preferred connecting authentically with one person over small talk. The best things I’ve found to foster these relationships are simple.
Grow deeper friendships with these tips:
Presence
Be present with the person you are connecting with. Take the time to stop what you’re doing. Look them in the eyes. Put away the phone, the to-do list, the chore, and give the gift of your presence.
Listening
Actively listen to the person you’re with. Ask thoughtful questions. Don’t try to fix things or talk over them. Hear what they are saying, and what they need to say.
Follow-through
Relationship isn’t a one-time event. Be intentional about making plans and following through with them. Whether it’s a text, call, or even making another time to get together, follow through to build the relationship.
Discover how to love people well with 5 Books to Help You Grow Deeper Relationships Share on XResources to help you grow deeper friendships
Neighborliness by David Docusen offers a thoughtful look at how to build relationships, especially when things feel divided. A gentle, yet productive look at things like race, bias, and building community, Neighborliness offers practical help for deep, lasting relationships.
Find Your People by Jennie Allen helps you connect with people the way your souls long for. From practical things like where you live and how to make friends to deeper conversations about intimacy, Find Your People is a great way to grow in every relationship.
Backroads to Belonging by Kristen Strong gives readers that feel on the outside hope for connection. When you remain in Christ you are free to welcome others into authentic connection.
The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell is a beautiful story of a simple act of welcome that grew into something beautiful. You can find connection, and it might be right in your front yard.
Never Unfriended by Lisa-Jo Baker takes you from a place of loneliness and isolation to hope that you can find friendship and help it grow into a deep, lasting relationship. Never Unfriended is full of stories and practical tips to develop the relationships you long for.
You can grow deep, authentic relationships in your life. One connection at a time, with the help of our best Friend ever, we can discover how to love one another well.
Thanks for these tips and resources, Rebecca. They all look good! The only one I’ve already read is The Turquoise Table; it was very inspiring (although I didn’t set up a table, lol). I think we all long for strong relationships. The pandemic has taken a toll on some of my relationships. I’m having to do a bit more work to improve some of those.
It is taking a bit more work right now, isn’t it? I think identifying that makes it feel easier.