Bible Verses
Work with your child and your students to learn each verse. Then, discuss the meaning of the verse and how it can be applied to everyday lives. On Sundays during class, riding in the car, or at dinner, it's fun to share stories of how the children have used the verse in their lives that week.

We provide memorization verses for each week. You can add your own.

Sunday February 4
Titus 2:7 NRSV
Show yourself in all respects a model of good works….

• What is a model?
• What are “good works"?
• Are you a model of good works?
• Name some Bible characters who are models of good works?

Sunday February 11
Prov 17:17 NRSV
A friend loves at all times….

• Describe your best friend.
• Does your friend always love?
• How is it possible to love at all times?
• Who do you know in the Bible who loved at all times?

Sunday February 18
Titus 2:15 (let) NRSV
Let no one look down on you.

• What do you think “look down” means?
• Why shouldn’t we allow anyone to look down on us?
• How do you defend yourself from someone looking down on you?

Sunday February 25
Titus 3:9 NRSV
…avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

• What are “stupid controversies"?
• Why are genealogies unprofitable?
• Give an example of dissensions or quarrels about the law.
• What things are profitable and worthy?

Sunday March 4th
Philemon 1:25
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirit.

• What is grace?
• How do you know that Jesus Christ is with your spirit?

Bible Stories
This month we look at Bible characters who were friends.

• Ruth and Naomi  Read Ruth  Ruth and Naomi; Ruth; and The Woman Who Forsook Idols to Serve God
• David and Jonathan  Read I Samuel 19 and 20  Best Friends; and The Little Boy Looking for the Arrows
• The Good Samaritan  Read Luke 10: 30-37  Good Samaritan; The Good Man; and The Good Shepherd and the Good Samaritan
• The Twelve Disciples  Read Luke 5 & 6  Helpers and Friends; and The Twelve Men Who Were Called Apostles

Exercise: God as our Best Friend

Read Our #1 Relationship

Ask your students to list what makes a good friend. Review the list and see if any of those characteristics apply to God. Discuss how to make God their best friend. Ask them to set personal goals to know and understand God as their best Friend. Establish a review and fruitage time. Ask the students how many weeks would be good for the first review. I find after the first week, it is good to give them a quick reminder to help them stay the course. Send them a tickler email about working on that most important relationship. (see Swap Shop). I’ve had many students discover that when they made God their best friend, they had more friends who had similar goals and qualities in life – hence stronger and more lasting friendships.

Help your students to realize the best friend they’ll ever have is God. Their relationship with God will become the foundation of their lives.

Exercise: True Friendship
The BibleWise article, Our #1 Relationship, focused on understanding how God is our Parent and Best Friend. This article, True Friendship, examines how to improve our friendships with others.

After reading the article on True Friendship discuss the following questions:

• Ask your pupils to retell the parable of The Good Samaritan in modern terms.  Who might be the Levite today? The Priest? The Samaritan? The one in need? 
• Answer the questions Jesus asked:
• Who is my neighbor?
• How can I act neighborly or be a neighbor or friend?
• Read the last paragraph from the article and answer:
• How do we love ourselves?
• Strangers?
• Friends?
• And those who make life difficult for us?
• How can love transform our lives?

Exercises about the Good Samaritan:
Helping Others about Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan.

Print/Download Helping Others
Print/Download Helping Others Answer Sheet

The Good Samaritan fill-in puzzle.

Print/Download The Good Samaritan
Print/Download The Good Samaritan Answer Sheet

Exercise:
Read the Practical Tips on Friendship by Marjorie Eddington and make your own list of the qualities you want to be as a friend, as well as those you want to see in a friend.

We can be a true friend to ourselves. We can fulfill the second greatest commandment: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matt 22:39). How do we do that?

• We rid ourselves of biased, egotistical, prideful beliefs that actually hurt us more than they hurt others.
• We treat ourselves well. We don't wrongly criticize, condemn, justify, or hurt ourselves. That does not mean that we don't acknowledge our weaknesses and work to improve them. But it means that we deal compassionately with ourselves, that we are gentle with ourselves -- as gentle as the Samaritan was with the wounded man binding up his wounds. We can bind up any of our own wounds.

We can be true friends to others. A true friend is one who:

• treats others -- everyone -- with kindness;
• meets the needs of others with compassion.

We can be more like the Samaritan.

• The Samaritan disregarded the race or religion of the wounded man. We can wipe away prejudicial barriers. This includes reaching out and being friendly to people who are not in our little group or "clique." We may find wonderful friendships we may have otherwise missed.
• We can keep our eyes open to see who around us needs help. It may be physical, emotional, social, or academic help that is needed. People are crying out for help in so many different ways. Our smile, our hello, our compassion may give someone a reason to live. We may never know what people are struggling with or thinking.
• We can be kind to someone who has treated us poorly. We can start the healing process because, as Jesus said, "If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that" (The Message Matt 5:46).

And we can see God as our Best Friend. Getting our relationship right with God will bless all of our other relationships. Let's be the friend we want to have. Let's be "Good Samaritans."

This exercise is for teens. A high school senior asked the following question: How do you make good friends? And when you do make friends, how do you know if you can trust them?

How would you answer the question? Now check it with Teen Time Director Marjorie Eddington’s response. How is your answer similar? Different?

I put these questions to one of my high school classes of seniors who answered:

• "Very carefully and slowly. People usually start out as acquaintances and then become better friends through shared experiences." When I asked them how they knew if they could trust someone, they explained:
• "You learn about people by spending time with them. Usually they'll show themselves."

I also asked them if they'd ever gotten burned, and if so, what they had done about it. Many of them, both guys and girls, had gotten hurt.

• One girl said that she is a type of person who automatically trusts people, which sometimes makes her vulnerable. But she's not concerned by that at all. It makes her stronger. She would rather trust than not trust. She is a happy person.
• One girl said that she isn't friends any more with a person who hurt her. And that does happen.
• Most agreed that they had learned something from the experience.

When I asked if they had a lot of good friends, their responses were telling:

• Many had a lot of friends, but they had only a handful of very good friends.
• "Good friends are hard to find. Friendships take a lot of work. And often friends come and go."

So how do we see friendship on a spiritual basis?

The Bible tells us: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. KJV Prov 18:24

To me, this suggests that in order to have good friends, we must be good friends. A previous Hot Topic on Friendship discusses this in more detail.

Eugene Peterson's translation of that same text reveals a different aspect:

Friends come and friends go,
                    but a true friend sticks by you like family.
                                             The Message Prov 18:24

And another passage really helps to define true friendship:

Friends love through all kinds of weather,
                    And families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
                                                            The Message Prov 17:17

We certainly can't make friends if we stay holed up in our own world hoping that someone will reach out to us. If we really value friendship, then we will look for those who need a friend, and we will be that friend. This requires a little bit of risk-taking. A good friend of mine who is an actor, mime, and teacher has a saying that not only applies to the theatre, but also to life: "Risk and Reason." To progress, we must take risks, but we must accompany those risks with reason and common sense. And we can't forget prayer!

Prayer -- which really is listening to God's constant communication to us and striving to understand the power of His Love operating in our lives -- will help us see the goodness in ourselves and others. Just as we know the voices of our family members, so we can know the voice of God. We can hear God telling us what to do in each circumstance and with each person. Rather than trying to base a friendship on trust between humans, we can base our friendships on trust in God.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. KJV Prov 3:5, 6

There's a reason why this proverb is so known and loved: it's comforting, and what it teaches works! If you open up your heart wholly to God (and not tell God what kind of a friend you want, when you want one, etc.), trusting His ability to give you everything you need, then you will find every single one of your needs fulfilled, including good, true friendships.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, discuss how love is the cement that holds a relationship together. Consider the following exercises:

Exercise: Gifts of the Heart - 6-8 year olds
Have the students make lists of the types of gifts you give from the heart.

Some examples:

• Love
• Forgiveness
• The ability to Listen
• Kindness
• Understanding
• Outreach
• Helping others
• Supporting one another
• Sharing

Make 3-5” hearts of red construction paper.

Wrap red crepe paper around a coat hanger so all you see is the red paper.

Write one gift on each heart.

Punch a small hole in the top of each heart.

Run a strand of yarn through each heart.

Tie each one on to a coat hanger.

Then it is ready to hang up in Sunday school or in a bedroom at home.

Exercise:
Love One Another is a similar activity to the above for 3-5 year olds.

Print/Download Love One Another

Exercise: Make a Valentine for God and for family and friends using God’s Bible messages.

Younger Children:

• Open with a discussion about “love."
  • What is God’s love like?
  • Can you find a Valentine from God in any Bible verses?
    • Teachers, you might want to bring materials and Bible verses to help them create special Valentines for God, family members, and friends. Bring a list of Bible verses on index cards for children to read. There are many to choose from; here are a few:
    • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
    • John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
    • John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
    • Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
    • Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    • II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
    • I John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
• How can we love the way God loves?
• What is the Golden Rule?
• Why is love important in living the Golden Rule?

Older Children:

• Listen to their definitions of “love."
• Is “love” dependent on matter or Spirit?
• What qualities of love do they want to see expressed in their friends, teachers, and family members?
  • Is the level of love or what it feels like different from person to person?
  • How is it possible that God loves everyone?
    • What kind of love is that?
• Get concordances to the Bible and give them five-ten minutes to find at least three verses that would qualify as a Hallmark Valentine card from God.
  • For example: The Message has this wonderful verse from Jeremiah 31:3. God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!"
• At the end of five minutes – have them share God’s special messages of love.
• You can bring note paper and have the students write their Valentines from God. They can be signed “God loves you!” and put them in church members’ mailboxes or take them home and tuck them under the pillows of their parents and siblings.
• Another activity with the verses might include having the students add their verses to your prepared index cards and then having the pupils select one at random and create a card for someone special in the church or family.
• During this activity, talk about God’s love for each of us.

Exercise:
This is a good exercise in matching hearts and reading the important messages in each heart, True Love.

Print/Download True Love
Print/Download True Love Answer Sheet

Exercise: How can I love you more?
This is a fun exercise. Decide who you want to ask this question. It could be either or both of your parents, a sibling, grandparents, a close relative, SS teacher, coach, friend, or God – yes, God! Don’t tell the person it is an exercise. If you really want to improve your relationship with someone, then ask, “How can I love you more?” Then listen. Don’t react if you hear something you don’t want to hear – like, “You could help with the dishes more often, or get up when you’re called, or remember to clean up your room.” Remember you WANT to work on this relationship. Follow through on what is asked. In another week, ask the question again. I had a friend who asked his wife regularly that question and he was always amazed she had an answer. If you are willing, ask God. You will be amazed at His answers.

Exercise: Match the Friends from the Bible

Answers:  1-G; 2-F; 3-E and H; 4-H; 5-J; 6-I; 7-C; 8- B; 9-D; 10-A

Exercise:
Ruth and Naomi - for younger children A Loyal Friend

Print/Download A Loyal Friend
Print/Download A Loyal Friend Answer Sheet

Exercise:
David and Jonathan were great friends. Complete the Friends Forever activity– for younger children.

Print/Download Friends Forever
Print/Download Friends Forever Answer Sheet

For older children decipher Jonathan’s Secret Code.

Print/Download Jonathan's Secret Code
Print/Download Jonathan's Secret Code Answer Sheet

Exercise:
The disciple of John was a good friend to Jesus. Answer the questions about John the beloved disciple and then find the answers in the hidden words.

Print/Download John, the Disciple Jesus Loved
Print/Download John, the Disciple Jesus Loved Answer Sheet

Exercise:
Take 13 pieces of paper; put Jesus' name on one and then put a name of a disciple on each page. Now start gathering information about each one.

See Bible Characters for a list of names.

• What do you know about Jesus?
• Which disciples are brothers?
• Who are the sons of Zebedee?
• Name something about each disciple.

Ruth and Naomi
Book of Ruth Ruth and Naomi; Ruth; The Woman Who Forsook Idols to Serve God

• Ask the students to tell the story of Ruth.
• Who is Ruth? (teachers may want to read Bible Characters (from our 2004 archives) and Ruth (from our 2004 archives) in Bible Overview)
• The name Ruth means friendship.
• What is a friend?
• Describe your best friend.
• What qualities are necessary to make a good friend?
• Are you a good friend?
• After reading the story of Ruth, what qualities did Ruth express?
• Are these qualities similar to your description of a good friend?
• Would Ruth make a good friend? Why or why not?
• How can you improve your FQ (friendship quotient)?
• Why is it important to be a good friend?
• Have you ever considered making God your best friend?
• Have you thought of a brother or sister as a friend?
• Do you realize God gave you your brother(s) or sister(s) to love and to be your great friend(s)?
• How might you work on your friendship with your siblings?
• Do you let your friends get by with bad behavior (shop lifting, lying, cheating, gossiping, bashing)?
• How do you help a friend who makes bad choices?
• Who are some of the best friends in the Bible?

In Kids Korner - Bible Characters, Lily and Shep, are talking about Ruth's qualities. There is an exercise to list Ruth's qualities and then go through the story and find specific examples for each one.

Ask yourself "What does the story of Ruth teach me?”

• Love all my relatives (Ruth 1:12-19)
• Don't feel sorry for myself
• Fight for what is right
• Hold on to good
• Be kind, courageous, and obedient
• Trust God with all my heart
• Leave idols behind
• Work for a living
• Expect good and treat others with respect even if you feel like an outsider

David and Jonathan
I Samuel 19 and 20 Best Friends and The Little Boy Looking for the Arrows

• Tell the story of Jonathan and David's friendship (1 Samuel 20).
• Who was David's best friend?
• How do David and Jonathan get acquainted?
• What is Jonathan's plan to save David if Saul tries to kill David (1 Samuel 20:12-23)?
• Is Jonathan being disloyal to his father, Saul? Why or why not?
• Why does King Saul want to kill David?
• What is jealousy?
• How do we keep ourselves and others from being jealous?
• Which commandment does jealousy break?
• Define "friendship."
  • What qualities are necessary to make a good friend?
  • Describe your best friend.
  • How do you decide to be someone's friend?
  • Are you a good friend?

The Good Samaritan
Luke 10: 30-37 Good Samaritan; The Good Man; and The Good Shepherd and the Good Samaritan.

Ask the class to tell the story of the Good Samaritan or read it together from Luke 10:25-37.

• Who challenged Jesus?
• What are the two great commandments?
• How does Jesus define "neighbor"?
• Who is our neighbor?
• Is the Good Samaritan another way of showing the Golden Rule in action?
• What kind of story does Jesus tell the lawyer? (parable)
• Look at the characters in the story: the priest, the Levite, the Samaritan, the man who was beaten.
  • Who might these people be today?
    • What if the injured person were someone from a different ethnic group than you? Would you stop to help?
    • Why do you think the two Jews walked away from him?
    • Describe the Samaritan.
    • Why was it so unusual for him to stop and tend to the man's wounds?
    • What if the injured man was from Israel? The United States?
    • And what if the Samaritan were a Palestinian? Iraqi?
      • Would you expect the man from Palestine (Iraq) to stop and help?
    • What did the lawyer learn from this parable?
    • What lessons did you learn from this parable?
    • How can we all express more compassion and care for one another?
    • Does loving your neighbor as yourself help explain the Golden Rule?
    • Why is it important for us to be willing to help others?

The Twelve Disciples
Luke 5 & 6 Helpers and Friends; and The Twelve Men Who Were Called Apostles

Teachers might enjoy going to “Did you know” section focuses on the disciples.

• What is a disciple?
• How did Jesus select his disciples?
• What were their names?

An easy way to remember the disciples’ names is to create a pneumonic. For example T(oast) with P(eanut) B(utter) and 4 J(ams) + STAMP stands for
Thomas, Peter, Bartholomew, John, James, Judas, and James, Simon,
Thaddaeus, Andrew, Matthew, and Philip. Or you can say STAMP your T(oast) with P(eanut) B(utter) and 4 J(ams).

• What do you know about each disciple?
• Are you willing to be a disciple and follow Jesus?
• How would you serve as a disciple?
• Who is your favorite disciple? Why?