Bible Study
Leader Guide
Theme(s): Friendship
Objective
Students will be challenged to think about the Biblical qualities of a true friend and consider whether they live out those qualities.
Warm Up
Do the classic three-legged race relay. Divide students into teams of two. Give each pair a strong string in order to tie their legs together. Once all students are prepared have them stand on a starting line, and start racing when you say GO. Give a reward to the winning pair.
Transition
Hand out the Student Guides. Explain that in the three-legged race, each of you has to depend on the other person of your twosome in order to win. If you do not work together, winning is much more of a challenge. Working together and dependability are two great characteristics of friendship. As we watch the video of the song, “All My Friends” by Owl City, use the appropriate area on your student guide to list the qualities you think a good friend should have.
The Video
As students watch the video, have them list qualities of friendship that are important in the appropriate section in their Student Guide. They are welcome to pull categories mentioned or shown in the video, or think up their own.
Transition
Have students share the qualities they came up with. Now say, “We have all offered some great thoughts and ideas regarding the qualities of a great friend. We are now going to look at one of the greatest examples of friendship in Scripture so that we can think about qualities that God wants in our friendships.”
Bible Study
Have the students study through the relationship of David and Jonathan and answer the questions based on that story.
1 Samuel 18:1-4
- What do you think being “one in spirit” with someone else means?
- What is a covenant?
- How does Jonathan’s making of a covenant emphasize the strength of his friendship with David?
- What qualities of friendship are explored in this passage?
1 Samuel 19:1-7
- How do Jonathan’s actions in this passage emphasize the qualities of a good friend?
1 Samuel 20:1-42
- What qualities of genuine friendship do David and Jonathan show in this passage?
- Verse 17 says that Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. Why is this important in a true friendship? Do your friendships reflect this?
- By this time, Jonathan knows that David will likely inherit the kingdom rather than he as the son of the king. Yet, he is willing to support David. This is an amazing sacrifice! What sacrifices are you willing to make for your friends?
2 Samuel 9:1-13
- This event occurs after Jonathan’s death. How does this event honor the friendship that Jonathan offered to David?
- What qualities of friendship are in this passage?
Wrap Up
Have students take some time considering their friendships. Do those friendships reflect the love that David and Jonathan had for each other? How can they improve themselves as a friend to those whom God has blessed them with? Encourage them to write down some ideas and then live out those ideas toward their friends.
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