SERIES DESCRIPTION
Jesus showed us the greatest example of love when He laid down His life for His friends. With His words and actions, He showed friendship to everyone He met. We can reflect Jesus’ love best when we treat one another with friendship.
September Curriculum:
Week One (September 6) - ONLINE
Better Together
Today’s Bible Story: Better Together (Two people are better than one) • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Today’s Key Question: What makes someone a good friend?
Today’s Bottom Line: Choose your friends carefully.
Monthly Memory Verse: A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes. Proverbs 17:17 (NIrV)
Monthly Life App: Friendship—Using your words and actions to show others you care
Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice.
Key Question: What makes someone a good friend? There’s the old adage, “If want a good friend, you should be a good friend.” As preteens are definitely more aware of friends and friend groups, it’s important for them to explore how they can personally show friendship to others. We hope they become people who help point their friends to Jesus.
We kick off this series in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 where Solomon wrote, “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” Solomon goes on to reminds us that like a three-strand cord, we are stronger when we work together as friends.
Bottom Line: Choose your friends carefully. God designed relationships to help make life easier. As kids become more aware how their friends influence them, it’s important for them to know how to choose good friends. We pray that kids will choose friends who encourage them and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus.
K3 Worship
Alive Again
Good Grace
456 Worship Files
Week Two (September 13) - REGATHER
We’re Going to Be Friends
Today’s Bible Story: We’re Going to Be Friends (David and Jonathan) • 1 Samuel 20
Today’s Key Question: How can you show your friends they’re important?
Today’s Bottom Line: Friends love one another.
Monthly Memory Verse: A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes. Proverbs 17:17 (NIrV)
Monthly Life App: Friendship—Using your words and actions to show others you care
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
Key Question: How can you show your friends they’re important? Preteens might not ever use the word “love” when it comes to their friends, but they will make their friends feel special. Our hope is that preteens follow Jesus example, and figure out all of the ways they can help their friends know how important they are.
In week two, we return to 1 Samuel 20 for one of the most famous friendships in the entire Bible: David and Jonathan. These guys went through a lot together. From making a promise to help each other to escaping the dangers of Jonathan’s own father, King Saul, they showed us exactly what it meant for friends to love each other.
Bottom Line: Friends love one another. Just like David and Jonathan, friends can show how they love each other by the way they care for one another and go above and beyond to help each other succeed. It’s this sort of love we experience through Jesus. We pray that kids will follow Him and learn how they can help their friends know how much they’re loved.
K3 Worship
Through It All
Let Go
456 Worship Files
Week Three (September 20)
Friend Like Me
Today’s Bible Story: Friend Like Me (Elijah and Elisha) • 1 Kings 19:14-21; 2 Kings 2:1-15
Today’s Key Question: When has someone encouraged you?
Today’s Bottom Line: Friends encourage one another.
Monthly Memory Verse: A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes. Proverbs 17:17 (NIrV)
Monthly Life App: Friendship—Using your words and actions to show others you care
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
Key Question: When has someone encouraged you? All sorts of people can build us up in all sorts of ways. From teachers and small group leaders to friends and family members, it’s important to pay attention to how each of them builds you up when you’re feeling down. We pray that as kids remember how others have encouraged them, they’ll discover ways to encourage people in their life.
In week three, we head to 1 Kings 19:14-21 and 2 Kings 2:1-15 and take a look at a different sort of friendship between Elijah and Elisha. God knew Elijah needed help and directed him to Elisha. Elisha came alongside Elijah and stayed with him to the very end. Elisha knew the importance of encouragement.
Bottom Line: Friends encourage one another. Our kids are growing up in a world that can feel like everyone is out for themselves. God has a different way for us to live. God wants us to take time out to encourage others. Kids will find out how they can be friends who use their words and actions to build others up.
K3 Worship
I Choose You
Who You Say I Am
456 Worship Files
Week Four (September 27)
I’ll Be There for You
Today’s Bible Story: I’ll Be There for You (Jesus Forgives Peter) • John 21:1-19
Today’s Key Question: How do you react when a friend hurts you?
Today’s Bottom Line: Friends forgive one another.
Monthly Memory Verse: A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes. Proverbs 17:17 (NIrV)
Monthly Life App: Friendship—Using your words and actions to show others you care
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
Key Question: How do you react when a friend hurts you? While it’d be great if friends got along all the time, it’s just not the way it is. People in our lives will hurt us. How we respond is important. Jesus forgives us so much; we should work towards forgiving others. We pray that kids will understand what forgiveness can look like for their relationships.
We finish up the month in John 21:1-19 with an incredible moment between Jesus and Peter. After denying Jesus three times, Peter was feeling guilty and ashamed. But Jesus still had plans for Peter. Jesus forgave Peter and restored the broken friendship. And when we put our faith in Jesus, Jesus offers that same forgiveness to us. In turn, we can offer forgiveness to others.
Bottom Line: Friends forgive one another. As kids learn about God’s incredible forgiveness through Jesus, we pray they start to understand more about how they can forgive their own friends. It’s not just accepting an apology and saying it’s alright. We pray that kids will understand how they can forgive others and work to rebuild the friendships that are worth saving.