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
What does it mean to have a good friend? Who is someone you would consider a friend. Think about why you like them as a friend and what makes them a good friend to have. We all like friends that behave a certain way. They make us feel special by listening to us, and we have a good time with them because we like two play the similar things. God sends us friends to help us when wee might feel lonely or need help. Listen tot he following options and decide which character traits makes for a good friend.
A friend is…
Nice or mean
Shares or is selfish
Listens or ignores
Plays or wants to be alone
Enjoys what you enjoy or only wants to do their favorite things
Is happy for you or is jealous
Having a good friend is important and it can help us not feel lonely. When we have a good friend it can make a bad day feel better, or give us someone to share our thoughts with. God sends us good friends to help us. Nathan was a friend to David and his family because he wanted them to follow God’s plan for their family. David was getting older and knew he wanted Solomon to be the next king, but his other son, Adonijah, tried to take the throne next. When Nathan found out, he wanted to help Solomon take the thrown next as God planned. Let’s read to find out what happens in the story.
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 and light ball (such as a beach ball)
Alternate
There are pairs of friends in the Bible that show us what good friendships look like. Listen to the names I call out and then say the name of their friend.
Ruth (Naomi)
Johnathon (David)
Peter (another disciple)
Paul (Timothy)
Phillip (Nathaniel)
Abraham (Lot)
Martha (Mary)
These friends go together and are often thought of together because they were such good friends. They were close enough to be like family. We can be thankful for the family members God gives us, and we can be thankful for the friends He gives that are close to us as family.
Materials:
Independent activity:
Friends go together like a pair. Let’s think of pairs of things that belong together. On this activity sheet, draw a line to match the pairs of things that go together.
Materials: activity sheet printed
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: handprint, construction paper, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
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 cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?