Sky Ranch Family Devotional Better Together…Jonathan and David’s Friendship , with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: What is true friendship to you? 

Topic 2 Question: Who is in God’s Community? 

Today’s Big Idea: Jonathan and David’s Friendship 

In scripture, God gives examples of true friends like Jonathan and David to show you a picture of friendship, and that God’s community is made of true friends. If you would like to read this story in scripture, it is in 1 Samuel 20:1-42. In the story of Jonathan and David, two friends risked their own lives to protect each other. They often gave up their own personal wants for the other person. There was so much trust between them, they defended, encouraged, and suffered through trials to help each other. They truly wanted the best for their friend and supported the other in real friendship. Jonathan and David are excellent examples of how God wants you to be a friend in His community. 

Talk with God: Read the scripture aloud. 

Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” 

1 Samuel 20:4 (ESV) 

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss. 

Surrounding yourself with people who love and desire the best for you is important. A few good qualities of true friends are kindness, loyalty, and accountability. A true friend builds you up, rather than tears you down. They stand by you all the time, encouraging you to stand for God’s truth. A true friend also challenges you to be all that God designed you to be, not settling for something less.

 A real friend will not bully. Bullying is a real threat today; it can happen in a cell phone text, online, or in person. Bullying is the opposite of friendship, and a true friend stands by you if you are being bullied. God shares that you are not to participate in something wrong, like bullying. In Ephesians 5:11, you are encouraged to expose the action and tell others. True friends stick together and help each other, no matter the circumstance. 

Discuss with your family: How has friendship with someone helped you personally? What do you like about friendship with another person? Can you see a difference in Jonathan and David’s friendship and some of your friendships? What? 

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help you understand friendship. 

I will be praying for you!

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author

Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.