Friendships
WELCOME TO WEEK 2
Have you ever felt lonely or you needed help doing something hard? Who did you look for? We often look for a friend when we are in need. Did you know that God seeds us the right friend at the right time of our lives. We can have friendships that help us grow closer to God and help us follow the plan he has for our lives.
BIBLE STORY
There are lots of examples in the Bible of people being good friends to one another. Listen to the following examples and say the Bible character who was being a good friend.
Warned David that the king was angry and he should run away. (Johnathon)
Gleaned wheat in a field so she and her mother-in-law would have food (Ruth)
Asked God to send a double portion of his spirit on the prophet to replace him. (Elijah)
Built a room above her home for the traveling prophet (The man and woman of Shunem)
Gave his nephew the better choice and first pick of the land (Abraham)
Opened up their home to feed and fellowship with Jesus and his disciples (Mary and Martha)
Sent letters of encouragement to his friends and churches who were spreading the gospel (Paul)
Having a good friend is important because they can help us feel better when wee are doing, encourage to keep trying and listen to us when we may be lonely. God can send us just the friend we need at just the right time. Our friends can help us grow in Jesus and encourage us when we may get down. Nathan was a friend to David and his family. He wanted to see the family live out the plan God had for Davids family line. As David grew older he knew it was time for the next king to take his place, he knew it would be Solomon, but one of his other sons, Adonijah, wanted to take the throne instead. Adonijah had a plan to take the crown, but when Nathan found out he helped Bathsheba know what to do in order for David to make Solomon the next king. Let’s read the story in the Bible to find out what happens.
Let’s read the Bible story for the week I Kings 1:5-14; 29-35
Which son of David’s wanted to take the throne? (Adonijah)
How many men had he gathered to help him take the crown? (50 men)
What did Adonijah do to ceremonially prepare for the throne? (Made sacrifices at the stone Zoheleth & invited others to witness)
Who did Adonijah leave off the list to join them? (Nathan)
What did Nathan tell Bathsheba to do? (To save their lives she had to tell David what Adonijah was doing)
Who did David say would be king? (Solomon)
What did David do for Solomon? (The priests anointed Solomon, blew the horn and had Solomon sit on the throne.)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Play pass the ball. Sit in a circle and pass a beach ball or other large light ball, when you catch the ball, name something you like about a friend you have. It is important to have good friends, but it is also important to be a good friend. Think of all the characteristics we used to describe a good friend. We can try to be a good friend to others by having those same characteristics. We can show our friends Jesus’ love and be the friend God sends to help others.
Materials: small, light ball (beach ball)
Alternate
Jesus is a friend to us. On the following page, write a scripture that answers the needs we have.
Materials: printed activity sheet
Independent activity:
Being the king, David may have had a lot of friends, but not many were as loyal as Nathan. We may have a lot of friends in our lives as well, but not all of them are loyal enough to considered a good friend. Think of the friends you have and which fiends you can count on all of the time. Write a note thanking them for their friendship and why their friendship means so much to you. Be specific about what they do that makes them a loyal friend God has given you. Write as many notes as you need to share your gratitude for good friendships
Materials: plain sheet of paper or card stock, crayons/markers
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Ephesians 4:25-5:2
In this verse it tells us not to sin in our anger and not to speak untruthfully to our neighbor. When David found out that Adonijah was trying to take the throne through trickery, he could have gotten angry but he followed the advice of Nathan. Regardless of how others treat us, this verse gives us guidelines of how we are to treat others around us. In doing so, we become the friends we want in other people. When we walk in the way of love, we treat others the way we want to be treated. Nathan and other friends were able to help David and his family stay in the palace and follow God’s plan for them.
What advice did Nathan give Bathsheba?
Was Nathan’s advice given out of selfishness or out of love for their family?
What risk did Nathan take on by advising Bathsheba and David on how to give Solomon the crown?
How was Nathan a good friend to David and his family?
What traits did Nathan have to show that he was being the friend God wanted him to be?
What type of friend are you?
What type of friend would your friends describe you as?
Do you speak to others in love?
What are some things friends should do?
What are some things friends should not do?
Are there people you should not be friends with?
Practical Application at Home
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 gave many examples of what a friend should and should not do. If wee were to follow the advice given in Ephesians 4 we might have better relationships with the people around us. Think about if you ever do any of the things on the ‘Don’t’ list. Have you ever shared false information about someone? Have you ever taken something from someone that didn’t belong to you? Have you ever been angry about what someone had done to you and plotted your revenge? We have done some or all of these things at some point but it is not what God has called us to be. We can be good friends to the people around us by treating others in a way God would have us.
Reread Ephesians 4:25-5:2 and make a list of friendship do’s and don’ts. On a sheet of paper make 2 columns and label them “friendship do’s” on one side and “friendship don’ts" on the other half. Then using the scripture, write a short list of how we are to treat others, and how we are not to treat others.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What friend can you share your observations with?