Family Fun Icebreaker: What is a good memory from a time shared with friends?
Topic Question: How are we Better Together?
Today’s Big Idea: Community Valuing Relationships
Finding a
group of friends that treats you right can be hard. In a group of friends,
joking that starts in fun sometimes goes too far and becomes hurtful; ego gets
in the way. In God’s community, God doesn’t want joking at the expense of
others. He wants real joy. God wants a community that loves at all times. God
also desires a community that lives in unity with each other. He wants us to
show loving-kindness, be good, and pleasant. God desires for you to be part of
a group that through the unity of friendship points others to Jesus. If you are
isolated and alone, God knows that you can struggle more to live life His right
way. You can be tempted to live apart from God. You need to be in a group of
people who will in a loving manner encourage you to listen to God’s direction.
Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud.
How good and
pleasant it is when God’s people live together in
unity. Psalm
133:1 (NIV)
A friend
loves at all times. Proverb 17:17 (NIV)
Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.
You may not
be part of a group outside of your family right now, and that is okay. Your
family is the first community that God designed for you. God also wants you to
be strengthened by godly peers. He wants you to be part of a group who loves
you and encourages you outside of your family. God wants the church to be an
accepting place. He wants you to feel welcome to join a group of friends who
trust Jesus. He wants you to strengthen others and be strengthened by others.
Even in church, however, it can be a challenge to find this group of
encouraging friends. You may have to make many visits to several different
groups until you find the right group for you. You may find God’s community in
a Christian neighborhood group or a Christian group at school. God’s community
is often in a church building but not limited to that location. Keep praying
about finding His community, and He will lead you to the right place.
Discuss with your family: Do you think that anyone else feels unsure walking into a new
group? What helps you make friends in a new group of people? What would be the
benefits of being in a small group of godly friends?
Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help you find a community of godly friends.
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