CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD LESSON SUNDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2022

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD LESSON SUNDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2022

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:11-42; James 5:12-17

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, John 15:13 (NIV).

TARGET:

To help the child know the importance of choosing good friends and to learn that being friendly to everyone is one of the best ways he or she can be a witness for Christ.

OBJECTIVES:

During and after the lesson, each child will show that he or she understands the lesson by:

1. Saying things they can do to improve and strengthen their friendship with Jesus.

2. Describing a tangible way he or she can show friendliness within the week to someone who is not his or her best friend.

OUTLINE:

1. David and Jonathan Become Friends – 1 Samuel 18:1-4

2. Agreeing to Be Loyal – 1 Samuel 20:11-42

3. Jesus, Our Friend – John 15:11-17

Do you have a friend? I’m sure do. Everyone needs to have friends; A man had a dream where he was given a very beautiful gold ring. A voice then told him that. “friendship is like a gold ring”. When he woke up he wanted to know the meaning of what he heard. The wife explained that it means friendship should be valued and preserved like a gold ring. One woman said the same thing in another way. She said that friendship should be “Serviced” or it will die. This is very true.

In this lesson we will see how two friends valued, preserved, and serviced their own friendship. By doing so they illustrated the saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed, that friends keep loving and that true friendship is long lasting.

1. DAVID AND JONATHAN BECOME FRIENDS – 1 SAMUEL 18:1-4

After David had killed Goliath of the Philistines, King Saul singled him out and honoured him. He did not let him go back to his people. Then Jonathan fell in love, real love with David. And as time went on, David and Jonathan became very good friends. Jonathan, who was the son of King Saul, loved David as he loved himself. In fact, David and Jonathan became like brothers. Jonathan sealed their friendship by giving David his robe, sword, bow, and belt.

King Saul was determined to kill David. David, therefore, complained to his friend, Jonathan of the danger he was in. He decided to be absent at one of the king’s celebrations. He said he would hide in the field the next day and stay there till evening of the third day. And he asked his friend to report to him how the king would take his absence. Jonathan promised to give David information about this. Then they renewed the covenant friendship between them. Jonathan swore in the name of the Lord and in the name of their friendship not to hide any important information regarding David’s danger.

Later, Jonathan found out that his father was bent on killing David. He told David about it. He reaffirmed his commitment to their friendship, prayed for God’s protection on David, confessed his strong belief that David would certainly be king in the stead of his father, and made David swear to be kind to him and his family when he becomes the king.

His friendship is greater than that of David The popular song, and Jonathan. “What a Friend we have in Jesus…” clearly describes Jesus’ friendship.

Jesus is one Friend everyone can have. Before He went to the cross, He called His disciples friends. His is a permanent friend because He promised that He will never leave nor forsake His friends. Jesus told His disciples that the greatest love a person can give to his friend is to give his life for him. Jesus did this for them and for all His friends. He gave himself to die on the cross so as to free them from the power and penalty of sin. Jesus is our Friend.

If you are a believer in Jesus, you are a friend of Jesus. Jesus is asking two things from His friends. He told His disciples that it was He, not them, who chose them as friends. Yes, it is He who appoints believers to be His friends.

Jesus is a good Friend. “A good or true friend never gives up; he always sees the good in others. He will not end a friendship even when the other person does something evil. He will keep loving even though he may not approve of the other’s actions”. He does not turn his back on a friend who is in need. Instead, he stands beside his friend, no matter the circumstances.

Ada and Ify are very good friends. They love each other so much that they are always seen together. They get along well and respect each other and each other’s feelings and do not dwell on each other’s faults and mistakes. They can stay for hours together and never get bored or tired. While together, they discuss and talk and joke and laugh and enjoy each other. Both of them are good Christians and most of the time their conversations centered on how they can be better Christians and how they can please God the more. They encourage each other and help each other stay close to God; they do not try to make each other do what they know is wrong. They pray together and share each other’s problems and struggles. They rejoice with each other when something good happens to any of them. They also share each other’s sorrows. Part of their meetings is to share testimonies of victories won and of insights and inspirations they receive directly from the Spirit and from the Bible through the Holy Spirit. They learn good things from each other and influence each other positively. They speak with each other, help each other, and try to protect each other from slander and gossips. That is what friendship is all about.

1. _______ and ________ entered into an oath of friendship.

(A) Peter and Paul

(B) Joy and Peace

(C)Aki and Pawpaw

(D) David and Jonathan.

2. __________ should be our attitude to our friends.

(A) Kindness

(B) Hatred

(C) Cheating

(D) Wickedness.

3.What did Jesus say will qualify us as His friends?

(A) disobedient to His Word

(B) keeping His commandment

(C) not going to church

(D) when we lie.

4. _______ and ________ are necessary for maintaining a friendship.

(A) Giving and communication

(B) worship and dance

(C) celebration and enjoyment

(D) impatient and jealousy.

Mon: Who Is Your Friend? 1Sam 18:1-18

Tue: Protecting Your Friend from Danger – 1Sam 19:1-5

Wed: Be a Friend at Difficult Times – 1Sam 20:1-10

Thu: Jesus the Centre of Friendship – 1Sam 20:11-20

Fri: Friendship with the World – James 4:1-5

Sat: Praying for Your Friends – James 5:13-18