Big Idea

Jesus came to bring a YOU+ life through which your children experience meaningful friendships.

Scripture

Proverbs 17:17, Romans 12:15, Matthew 7:12, John 15:15

Opening Questions

1. How have you been able to B.L.E.S.S. the children or students you care about?
2. Are you an adventure seeker? Why or why not? Whether you are or not, share your most adventurous experience to date.

Bible Discussion

3. Read Proverbs 17:17. The Bible is full of examples of these types of meaningful friendships. See how many friendships from the Bible your group can list. What are some common threads these friendships have?
4. Read Romans 12:15. What does it mean to “rejoice with those who rejoice”? Why is it important to share in other people’s joys? What does it mean to “mourn with those who mourn”? Why is it important to share in other people’s sorrows?
5. Read Matthew 7:12. Why do you think Jesus considered this verse, The Golden Rule, to sum up the Law and the Prophets (i.e. the Old Testament)?
6. Read John 15:15. What significance does it hold that Jesus shares with His disciples everything He learned from the Father? How does this deepen our understanding of the relationship between Jesus, the Father and us?

Life Application

7. Friendship is a beautiful gift and one of the greatest gifts we can give a child is to teach them how to both be a good friend and how to discern good friendships. What are some characteristics of a good friendship? How can you teach this to the children and students you care about?
8. In their book Parenting, authors Andy and Sandra Stanley remind us, “Be their parent so they remain free to be your child.” What do you think they mean by this? Do you agree? If so, how do you live this out. If you disagree, why?
9. What does it mean to you to be a friend of Jesus? How can we cultivate a deeper friendship with Him in our daily lives and encourage the children and students we care about to do the same?