This weekend we taught the kids how to be real true friends. We did it with the help of the biblical account of the four friends who brought their paralytic friend to Jesus.

“I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” These are the well-known words from the book, The Little Engine That Could. In this story, the Little Engine pulls a long train over a very high mountain. Throughout the journey, the Little Engine encourages himself by repeating, “I think I can.” This determination and confidence helps the Little Engine succeed. He does not give up. The story of the four friends in Mark 2 could be aptly titled, “The Friends Who Would Not Give Up.” Seeing the crowd and realizing that there is no way to reach Jesus, the four friends could have said, “We tried our best to get to Jesus, but we couldn’t. So we might as well go home.” They do not. Instead, they find another way to enter the house “they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay” (Mark 2:4).

Why are the four friends so determined to reach Jesus? There is no dialogue between the friends and their ill friend, so we do not know what words they exchanged. Yet their determination is evident. Perhaps they exchanged words of faith, believing that somehow, Jesus will heal their friend. Since they are close friends, perhaps they are consumed with compassion for their sick friend and desperately want him well. They may have seen him suffer day and night, and now see Jesus as the only hope to an end to their friend’s pain. The four friends would not give up. Even more, perhaps the four friends feel they cannot give up. They feel they cannot give up because, if they did, they would be giving up hope for their friend. They are loving examples of true friends.

This weekend we helped the children identify what it means to be a friend. This week as you interact with your children, think about someone whom you consider to be a true friend. Why is this person your friend? What characteristics does this person have that qualifies him or her as a true friend? Do any of these words come to mind when you think of your friend: caring, trustworthy, helpful, considerate, fun, faithful? Once you answer the questions, help your children identify characteristics of a friend. Also, help your children to think about acts of kindness that they can do to show what kind of friend they truly are.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God. 1 John 4:7

This weekend we taught the children about the good Samaritan. We also helped the children recognize what a neighbor is and what it means to love others and to love God.

An elementary-school counselor was standing outside her school one day as one of her students, a third-grade girl, and her mother approached. The little girl greeted the counselor with a hug and cheerfully told her mother while pointing to the counselor, “She’s the one who makes us happy.” What a wonderful compliment for the counselor to be characterized as someone who consoles others, especially young children!

In this weekend’s lesson, the children heard the biblical story of someone in the Bible, the good Samaritan, who consoled another person. The good Samaritan was like a counselor to the man who was attacked and robbed. First, the good Samaritan was filled with compassion: “he was moved with pity” (Luke 10:33). Second, the good Samaritan placed bandages on the man’s wounds (Luke 10:34). Third, the good Samaritan became the injured man’s caretaker: “Then [the good Samaritan] put [the man] on [the good Samaritan’s] own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:34). Fourth, the good Samaritan solicited the aid of others to help care for the man: “The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said ‘Take care of him’” (Luke 10:35a). Last and most importantly, the good Samaritan made preparations for a follow-up visit to check on the status of the man: “When I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend” (Luke 10:35b).

As a parent, you are also a good Samaritan/ counselor to your children. You show the children compassion, and in ways you may not be aware, you provide healing—physical and spiritual—for their young hearts. You are also a caretaker for your children. As a parent you must pray for God’s guidance, and wisdom as you care for your children. This week as you interact with your children, help them recognize what it means to love others and to love God, know that you are indeed also a good Samaritan!

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God”. 1 John 4:7

This weekend we introduced the children to Ruth. We also taught the children what it means to be a family of faith and show love to others.

“Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the LORD’s worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!” (Ruth 1:16-17, GNT). Ruth’s words to Naomi are potent. They are immortalized as the epitome of commitment because they demonstrate loyalty and loving concern in relationships. Ruth does not only request, “Let me go with you,” but she goes a step further to describe the extent of her commitment in going with Naomi. The Good News Translation uses one word that encompasses Ruth’s sincerity, and that word is wherever. Wherever means in any place and in any situation. So in going with Naomi, Ruth is saying this: “Naomi, I am with you in the good times and the bad. I am with you among your relatives. I am with you wherever you worship. I am with you even to death.” Ruth is assuring Naomi that she is not merely taking a temporary journey beside Naomi, then departing at a later date. (It would have been normal, and in fact expected, for Ruth to return to her own family since she was a widow.) Ruth’s “with you” means support for a lifetime. In going with Naomi, Ruth demonstrates what it means to be a part of a family, even a chosen family, and how family members should be committed to one another.

And so this weekend we taught the children the biblical story of Ruth. We taught them what it means to be a family of faith and to show love to others. As you interact with your children this week, talk about ways they can help and care for family members, friends, and others, but don’t stop there, express your care and concern for them, when you do, you are demonstrating that you are with them; you support them. They can count on you for support and compassion. And teach them to give thanks to God who supports you and them and is always with you.

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God”. 1 John 4:7

This weekend we taught the children the biblical story of Jesus in the synagogue. We encouraged the children to live as Jesus taught by caring for all God’s people.

A kindergarten teacher tells this story about a little boy in her class with a kind and sensitive heart. During story time, the teacher would gather the children in a circle to listen to a story. While reading, if something bad would happen to one of the characters, the little boy would raise his hand. When the teacher would acknowledge the little boy’s hand, with all the sincerity and concern he could muster he would say, “Well, I’ll pray for them.” It did not matter if the character was good or bad. Every time misfortune would befall a character, the little boy never failed to offer prayer. This little kindergartner is a perfect example of Jesus’ care.

This weekend we helped the children connect with the biblical story of Jesus in the synagogue. While in the synagogue, Jesus proclaims that his purpose is to bring good news, heal the sick, and set the captives free. In other words, this day in the synagogue Jesus declares that because of the work that God has called him to do, life for others will never be the same. Their lives will only be better because of Jesus’ love and concern for everyone.

What is troubling about this story is that the people of Jesus’ hometown those to whom he was speaking got angry at the Old Testament stories that Jesus referenced. Why? The two stories Jesus referenced were about prophets whose ministries were not accepted in their own homes. Jesus was telling his family and friends that they would not understand him or accept him. Jesus himself was beginning to see the path laid before him, as he narrowly escaped being thrown off a cliff by his neighbors. But Jesus’ message was clear: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news” (Luke 4:18).

During the lesson, we helped the children identify ways to live as Jesus lived and calls us to live. We are to bring good news to the world, the good news that Jesus is love. The activities we did helped teach the children ways they can show love and concern for others. As you interact with your children this week, think about ways you care for others. Also, think about ways that others have shown care and concern for you. Was care shown to you through a visit, a telephone call, an inspirational or humorous greeting card? Or perhaps it was prayer that others offered on your behalf? Let the children know that among their acts of care and kindness, they can always pray for others.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor”. Luke 2:52