Single Christians can have a hard time making friends at times. As the only single friend in my friend group, I'm often reminded of how easy it is for my married friends to make their friends. However, married Christians have an easier time making friends because married friends become friends with other married friends because they have so many things in common. They can talk about married life, their children, and other aspects of life that I cannot relate to.
If you are also a single Christian, you have probably already encountered this. It can be isolating and make you feel quite alone. Our married friends have moved on, and we cannot quite relate to them as we once did. We must return to the drawing board whenever we struggle to make or maintain friends.
We can make new friends by trying new things and putting ourselves out there. The key is to be ourselves and to find friends who genuinely like us for us. We don't need to try to be somebody we are, not just to appease others. If we do this, it will only cause our self-identity to become distorted. Rather than trying to be someone we are not, we must embrace the person God created us to be.
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1. Join a Hobby Group
1. Join a Hobby Group
One of the best ways to make friends as a single Christian besides church is to join a hobby group. A hobby group can include anything you want, such as joining an art, craft, or sports group. Think about your passion or hobby and get involved with it. Finding other people who enjoy the same things you do to form lasting friendships is key.
While it is true that we can make friends with individuals with varying interests, it can be helpful to find friends who are interested in the same activities as we are. For example, I have many close friends who are inactive, but I still stay in touch and hang out with them when we are all available. However, I spend most of my time with friends who enjoy going on walks, playing soccer, or running before work.
What hobbies are you interested in? After picking out what hobbies you want to be involved in, search online or on social media for a few groups. It is essential to try to see if they are Christian or not. It is best to go to Christian hobby groups as they will be much safer, and other like-minded individuals will be there. After all, the goal is to make new friends who are believers and who love the same things you do.
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2. Join a Running Club
2. Join a Running Club
While I understand not everyone loves running, it can be great camaraderie. Something about the overall endurance needed for the sport causes friendships and lasting bonds to be formed. Whether you are a new or seasoned runner, joining a Christian running club could be a great chance to make new Christian friends.
While running, you can talk together and get to know one another. Most of the time, after the running club is over, the members go out to eat or do an activity. This will help you spend more time with these individuals and build a deeper bond. Going out afterward for dinner or an event also gives you a chance to talk with people you didn't run with.
If a running club seems too far-fetched, a walking club could be right up your alley. This activity is where you aren't pushed as much as you would in a running club. If you cannot find a walking club in your area, try to invite a few people you know but aren't good friends with and start spending some time with them out on the trails. This might be the perfect beginning of a friendship.
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3. Enroll in a Class That You Enjoy
3. Enroll in a Class That You Enjoy
Another way to make Christian friends besides church is to enroll in a class you enjoy. Many technical colleges offer adult learning opportunities where you can increase your knowledge of various subjects. This could be a baking class, a photography class, or an art class. Look over a local Christian community college's coursework catalog and see if there are any classes you would like to take.
While at the college, you will have time to talk with the other students and form friendships. It will be a great time to meet new people from different walks of life. A unique aspect of technical college is that people come from all sorts of seasons of life. You could make a friend with someone who will become a Christian mentor to you or someone to whom you will become a Christian mentor.
If there are no Christian technical colleges in your area, try enrolling in a class you have suggested to you by friends you know. Maybe they had a great experience at a painting class on the east side of town or loved a mental health retreat class downtown. Ask your present friends; they can advise you on great ways to connect with other believers.
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4. Go to a Cafe
4. Go to a Cafe
If there was something my friends from college did every day, it was going to a coffee shop. They did everything there, from writing papers to catching up on each other's lives. If you start going to a coffee shop a few times a week and working on something, you might quickly see other people who commonly come to the same coffee shop. By talking with them and getting to know them, you should have time to ask them about their faith and if they know Jesus.
This is a common struggle when making friends outside of church because you never know whether a person is a Christian. Just looking at someone is not an accurate measure of the person’s faith. This is why it is essential to get to know the person and see where their faith lies and if they are a follower of Jesus. It should be noted that even if the person is not a Christian, it does not mean you cannot be friends with them.
You can be friends with them but must also share the Gospel with them. Don't act like your faith in the Lord is “no big deal” or means nothing to you. Instead, discuss Jesus and share how He has changed your life. In truth, God may have brought this person into your life for this very reason. Build a friendship with them and help them come to know Jesus themselves.
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5. Go to a Local Book Club
5. Go to a Local Book Club
As an avid book reader, I cannot stress enough how book clubs can bring people together. My sister and I have made many friends because of our love for books. One of my best friends from college became my best friend because she also loved books, and we could talk with one another about the various books we had read and the ones we wanted to read.
Various bookstores and libraries offer local book clubs where you can connect with fellow book readers. When choosing a bookstore, try to go to a Christian bookstore, as it would be easier to find Christians there. However, as I mentioned above, just because someone doesn't know Christ doesn't mean you can't befriend them. You can be, but it is important to still share the Gospel with them and be upfront about your love for Christ.
Sadly, many of us feel ashamed for talking about Jesus in public, but we shouldn't. Whether at a Christian bookstore, public library, or anywhere else, we shouldn't be afraid to talk about Jesus. It shows others our love for Him and how much He has improved our lives.
We can discuss the Bible at book clubs and share how it is God’s Word. Those who are already believers might speak with you after club and start getting connected with you; those who don't know Jesus might be interested in learning more. You never know how God might be working in a situation. You may be looking for a few new Christian friends, and God will help you be that friend to others.
Remember to pray as you search for new ways to meet fellow Christians. Talk with the Lord in prayer and ask Him to guide you to the right group of individuals. You might be surprised at how fast God answers your prayers and brings the right people into your life. God wants you to have friends, and He will equip your heart with the necessary relationships.
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Originally published April 13, 2025.
