Welcome to today’s Sunday school lesson where we’re going to talk about a topic that’s vital for your faith journey: biblical friendship and building godly relationships. As teenagers, you’re navigating a world where relationships play a significant role in shaping your identity and future. It’s crucial to understand what the Bible says about friendship and how to cultivate godly connections with others.
God designed us for community and meaningful relationships. He desires for us to surround ourselves with friends who encourage us in our faith, challenge us to grow, and reflect His love. In this lesson, we’ll explore some powerful biblical principles that will guide us in building godly friendships.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 27:17
Let’s begin by reading a verse from the book of Proverbs:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Explanation For Teenagers
- This verse illustrates the importance of surrounding ourselves with friends who have a positive influence on our lives.
- Just as iron sharpens iron, godly friendships should challenge and refine us, helping us grow spiritually.
- We need friends who will encourage us to make wise choices, support us in difficult times, and help us become better followers of Christ.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- How would you describe a godly friendship? What qualities and characteristics should a godly friend possess?
- Share an example of a friend who has positively influenced your faith journey. How did they sharpen you spiritually?
- Why do you think it’s important for us to surround ourselves with friends who share our faith and values?
- In what ways can we be intentional about building godly friendships in our lives?
- What are some challenges or obstacles you’ve faced when it comes to choosing godly friendships? How did you overcome them?
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:33
Now, let’s turn to a verse from the book of 1 Corinthians:
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”
Explanation For Teenagers
- This verse emphasizes the influence that our friendships can have on our character and choices.
- It warns us about the dangers of surrounding ourselves with friends who lead us away from God’s ways.
- Choosing godly friendships is crucial to maintaining and developing good character.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- How have you seen the truth of this verse play out in your own life or the lives of others?
- What are some warning signs that indicate a friendship might be leading us away from God’s ways?
- Share a time when you had to make a difficult decision about a friendship that was negatively impacting your character. How did you handle it?
- How can we support and encourage friends who may be in unhealthy or negative friendships?
Youth Group Game: “Friendship Scavenger Hunt”
Divide into teams and provide each team with a list of items or clues related to biblical friendships. Each team must work together to find and collect the items within a specified time frame. This game encourages teamwork and sparks discussions about the qualities and values of godly friendships.
Closing Prayer
Let’s close our time together in prayer:
“Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of friendship and for showing us in Your Word how to build godly relationships. Help us to seek friends who sharpen us spiritually and reflect Your love. Give us the wisdom to recognize unhealthy friendships and the courage to make choices that align with Your will. Strengthen our bonds of friendship with fellow believers so that we may grow together in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Remember, building godly friendships is an essential part of your faith journey. Choose friends who will encourage you in your walk with Christ, challenge you to grow, and support you in every season of life. God has amazing plans for your relationships, and He desires for you to experience the beauty of biblical friendship.