## True Friends Forever Good morning, boys and girls! Today, we're going to talk about something very special: friendship and loyalty. Have you ever wondered why having good friends is important? Well, let's dive into the exciting world of true friendship together! **Once upon a time, in the ancient land of Israel, there were two best friends named David and Jonathan. They loved and supported each other through thick and thin. Just like you have friends at school or in your neighborhood, David and Jonathan were inseparable. They always encouraged and stood up for one another, even when times were tough.** > In the Bible, in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 18, we learn about the incredible friendship between David and Jonathan. They made a special promise to always be loyal and true friends. The Bible tells us that a true friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). David and Jonathan's friendship showed us how important it is to have friends who are there for us no matter what. ***Now, let's bring the lesson closer to home by exploring some real-world examples of true friendship. Have you ever heard stories of friends who help each other during difficult times? Maybe you've seen friends supporting each other in school, like when someone feels left out or sad. These are all examples of friendship and loyalty in action!*** There was a news story recently about two friends who worked together to clean up their local park. They spent their weekends picking up litter and planting flowers to make their community a better place. That's an incredible display of friendship and loyalty, just like David and Jonathan! So, boys and girls, remember the story of David and Jonathan and the importance of true friendship and loyalty. Good friends are like treasures because they are always there for us, cheering us on and helping us grow. Look around and appreciate the friends in your life, and be the kind of friend who is loyal, supportive, and caring. *Let's pray and thank God for the gift of friendship and for the friends we have. May we always be good friends to others and find joy in the friendships we share. Amen.* Remember, next time we'll discover another exciting topic that will teach us valuable lessons from the Bible and the world around us. Have a blessed day! --- ## Activity For the topic of Friendship and Loyalty, it would be great to engage children in an interactive activity that promotes teamwork and encourages them to actively participate together. Here's a suggestion: ### Activity: Friendship Web #### Materials needed: * Ball of yarn or string #### Instructions: 1. Gather the children in a circle, ensuring that everyone is seated comfortably. 2. Explain that friendship is like a strong web that connects people together. 3. Hold the end of the yarn or string and share a story or personal example of a true friendship that you admire or have experienced. 4. After sharing the story, pass the ball of yarn to one child and ask them to hold onto the end of the string. 5. Instruct the child to think of a friend they appreciate and say one kind thing about them before tossing the ball of yarn to another child across the circle, holding onto the string. 6. The second child who receives the yarn does the same, mentioning a different friend, and passes it to another child. 7. Encourage children to listen carefully to the kind words shared by their friends and make connections with their own friendships. 8. As the activity progresses, a web of yarn will form, connecting the children to each other through their words of appreciation and friendship. 9. Continue until all children have participated, creating a beautiful friendship web. 10. Take a moment to admire the web and emphasize that just like the web, their friendships are strong and interconnected. 11. Conclude by discussing the importance of being loyal, supportive, and appreciative friends to one another. This activity allows children to actively engage with the theme of friendship and loyalty by expressing their appreciation for their friends. It promotes teamwork, listening skills, and reinforces the concept of true friendship.