Harmony: Together is better
WEEK OF
September 3, 2023
PA R E N T G U I D E
Elementary
Use this guide to help your family learn about friendship.
First, watch this week’s video!
Activity
Talk About the Bible Story
Friendly Choices What You Need:
Do you think it’s important to have friends? How can having a friend make your life better or happier?
Painter’s or masking tape (or anything that your child can safely jump across, like an extension cord or phone charger)
Who are some of your friends or people you like spending time with?
What You Do:
Friendship: Using your words and actions to show others you care
Create a line with the tape in the middle of the room, and invite your child to play a game. Say, “I’ll give you two choices. Each side of the tape represents one of the answers. To answer the questions, you’ll jump to either side of the tape. Ready?” Work through the following questions. Make sure you point to the left or the right side of the tape to represent which side represents each answer.
Memory Verse “A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes.” Proverbs 17:17, NIrV
Bible Story Two People Are Better Than One Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Bottom Line Choose your friends carefully.
Would you rather have a friend who: has a pet dinosaur OR has a pet unicorn? can swim like a fish OR can fly like a bird? doesn’t like pizza OR doesn’t like ice cream? lives in a castle OR lives in a spaceship? gives you free tickets to cool concerts OR gives you free tickets to cool sporting events? Never, ever gets in trouble OR always gets in trouble? can’t stop laughing OR can’t stop crying? knows all the answers to tests OR knows all the codes and tips for video games? When you’re finished, say, “Some choices are easy to make, and some choices are hard. Just remember, it’s very important to choose your friends carefully.”
What are some qualities of a good friend? (Kindness, honesty, loves Jesus, treats adults and others respectfully) Why do you think it’s important to choose your friends carefully? Parent: Talk about how one of your friends encourages you to be more like Jesus. They may encourage you with Bible verses, set an example of doing what Jesus would do, or pray with you. Go beyond generalities and tell your child about a specific example.
Prayer Use this prayer as a guide, either after talking about the Bible story or sometime before bed tonight: “Dear God, thank You SO much for being our best Friend! Please help us be good friends to those around us, and help us choose our friends carefully. We know that having good friends makes all the difference! We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”
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