Choosing Friends Wisely
Proverbs 13:20 warns that bad company leads to trouble. Name at least two negative things that can happen if we choose friends who do not act Christ-like.
They can pull us into bad habits or sin, influence poor choices, hurt our relationship with God, or steal our peace.
In the Gospels, how did the four friends get their paralyzed friend inside the packed house to reach Jesus?
They carried him up to the roof, dug/cut a hole open, and lowered his mat down into the room
What is jealousy, and why can it quickly damage relationships between siblings, cousins, or best friends?
Wanting what someone else has or feeling resentful of their success; it causes anger, distance, fighting, and steals your joy.
If your sibling, cousin, or best friend were an ice cream cone, what flavor would they be and why?
Creative share: Student names an ice cream flavor and links it to their friend's or sibling's personality.
Name three essential Christ-like qualities that make someone a trustworthy and truly good friend.
Any three of: honesty, kindness, patience, loyalty, forgiveness, praying for you, keeping secrets, or unselfishness
In Mark 2:5, Scripture says Jesus healed and forgave the paralyzed man when He saw whose faith?
"Their faith" (the faith of the four loyal friends who carried him).
In Genesis, which pair of brothers let extreme jealousy lead directly to the first murder in Scripture?
Cain and Abe
If your brother, sister, cousin, or close friend went away on a trip for an entire week, what specific thing would you miss most about them?
Open share
Describe one concrete trait or habit of your best friend that shows they are a positive, encouraging influence in your life.
Open share: Student names a specific positive quality and explains how their friend demonstrates it.
The Bible doesn't describe the walk home after the miracle. What do you imagine the four friends and the healed man talked about as they celebrated walking home?
Open share: Praising God, total shock and excitement, discussing Jesus forgiving his sins and healing his legs
Why did God ask Cain where his brother was if he already knew?
To draw Cain into repentance and confessing his sin
Which ones of these sip;ings experiences jealousy and which ones practiced brotherly love: Cain and Able, Peter and Andrew, Moses and Aaron, Joseph and his Brothers
Cain and Josheph's Brothers let Jealousy lead them into sin.
Moses, Aaron, Simon Peter, and Andrew had brotherly love without jealousy
Being a good friend goes both ways. Share one real-life example of a time you stepped up to be a genuinely good, supportive friend to someone else.
Open share: Student describes a personal time they helped, stood up for, or cared for a friend.
What is one specific, meaningful action you can do this upcoming week for a friend to show them you truly care about them?
Open share: Student names a practical action (e.g., writing an encouraging note, praying for them, helping with homework).
Name 3 talents, gifts, or qualities you genuinely admire and appreciate about your sibling, cousin, or close friend
Open share
Pretend you and your sibling, cousin, or friend are a superhero team saving the world. What superpower would each of you have, and how would you work together to save the day?
Creative share: Names both superpowers and explains how they combine them through teamwork.
Why does the way you choose your friends right now have the power to impact the rest of your life?
Friends shape your daily habits, your character, your future life decisions, and how closely you walk with Christ.
Has a friend or family member ever done an act of kindness for you that was so special you will never forget it? Share what happened
Open share:
When feelings of jealousy toward a sibling, cousin, or friend pop up in your heart, what are two practical things you can do to stop feeling jealous?
Pray for them, count your own blessings, thank God, celebrate their win with them, or talk to a parent.
Why is it often much harder to show patience and kindness to siblings at home than to friends at school?
You see them constantly, share space and belongings, let your guard down when tired, and can take each other for granted.
In John 15:13, Jesus reveals the highest standard of love and friendship: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his ________ for his friends."
Life