The 5th Mark, Study 2: Friendship with Jesus

For Sunday Nov 9th, 2008

1) Last week we discussed the importance of being an honest and loyal friend. During your week, did you have a situation where you had to practice this honesty or loyalty?

2) When you think of Jesus, how do you picture him? Do you imagine him far away, or standing next to you? Do you imagine him old, or young?
[Note: Put down a line of tape in the room, and have kids move from side to side based on different polarities of seeing Jesus: young/old, far away/standing next to you, quiet/outspoken, friendly/scary, physical/ghostly... any others you can think of]

3) Is it difficult to imagine Jesus being your friend? What are some some of the barriers?

4) Read: John 15:14.

And you are my friends, if you obey me.

What do you imagine Jesus means by this?
Now let's read more of that same passage: Jn 15:9-14

I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am. Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14And you are my friends, if you obey me.

Does reading more of this passage help you understand what Jesus is talking about? If so, how?

5) Read: Mt 18:20

Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.

Why do you think Jesus wants us to come together?
How does being friends with each other help draw us closer to Jesus?
[Note: Ideally we're trying to get them to the idea of seeing Jesus in other people, but that may be a stretch.]

6) Can you think of someone you see during the week who needs a friend?
How might it be hard to extend friendship to that person?