Free Bible lessons for kids · 5 lessons
Bible lessons about friendship for kids
God made us for friendship. David and Jonathan were loyal friends, four friends carried a man to Jesus, and Jesus calls His disciples His friends.
5 Bible stories, one subject: friendship. Teach them as a series or one at a time; each lesson has its film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and game, all free.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
- Lessons
- 5
- Passages
- 1 Samuel 18:1–4, John 1:29–51, Mark 2:1–12, John 21:1–14, Acts 9:19–31
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
5 Bible lessons about friendship
David and Jonathan
1 Samuel 18:1–4 · 20:1–42 · story film
After David beat Goliath, the soul of Jonathan, King Saul’s son, was knit with the soul of David, and the two friends made a covenant. When Saul grew jealous and sought David’s life, Jonathan warned him with a secret sign: arrows shot beyond a little lad in the field. The friends kissed one another and wept, and Jonathan sent David away in peace, trusting the LORD to be between them for ever.
Big idea: A true friend is loyal and loves at all times.
Memory verse:
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)Ask: What did Jonathan give David when they made a covenant? His robe, his garments, his sword, his bow and his girdle (1 Samuel 18:4).
Game: Friends Stick Together (about 10 minutes)
Behold the Lamb of God
John 1:29–51 · story film
John pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Andrew followed Jesus and brought his brother Simon. Philip found Nathanael and said, “Come and see.”
Big idea: When we meet Jesus, we want to bring others to Him.
Memory verse:
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:29 (KJV)Ask: What did John call Jesus? The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Game: Come and See (about 8 minutes)
Through the Roof
Mark 2:1–12 · Luke 5:17–26 · Matthew 9:1–8 · story film
The house was so crowded that four friends could not bring a man sick of the palsy to Jesus. They opened the roof and let him down. Jesus forgave his sins and told him to rise and walk.
Big idea: Jesus has power to forgive sins, so bring your friends to Him.
Memory verse:
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mark 2:5 (KJV)Ask: How many men carried their friend? Four.
Game: Through the Roof Relay (about 12 minutes)
Breakfast by the Sea
John 21:1–14 · story film
The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. At morning Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side, and they caught 153 great fish. On the shore Jesus had a fire and breakfast ready.
Big idea: Jesus provides for His friends.
Memory verse:
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21:12 (KJV)Ask: Where did Jesus tell them to cast the net? On the right side of the ship.
Game: Cast on the Right Side (about 10 minutes)
Over the Wall in a Basket
Acts 9:19–31 · story film
Saul began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. When enemies watched the gates to kill him, the disciples let him down over the wall in a basket by night. Barnabas later brought him to the apostles.
Big idea: God uses friends to protect and help us.
Memory verse:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16 (KJV)Ask: What did Saul preach in the synagogues? That Jesus is the Son of God.
Game: Down in a Basket (about 10 minutes)
Teaching friendship at every age
- Preschool: Make friendship bracelets and say, “A friend loveth at all times.”
- Elementary: Ask what made David and Jonathan good friends, and how to be that kind of friend.
- Preteens: Talk about friends who help each other follow Jesus, like the four friends who brought the paralyzed man (Mark 2).
Plan it as a series: 5 weeks
| Week 1 | David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1–4). A true friend is loyal and loves at all times. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29–51). When we meet Jesus, we want to bring others to Him. |
| Week 3 | Through the Roof (Mark 2:1–12). Jesus has power to forgive sins, so bring your friends to Him. |
| Week 4 | Breakfast by the Sea (John 21:1–14). Jesus provides for His friends. |
| Week 5 | Over the Wall in a Basket (Acts 9:19–31). God uses friends to protect and help us. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Verses to learn: friendship
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17 · David and Jonathan
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29 · Behold the Lamb of God
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Mark 2:5 · Through the Roof
“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”
John 21:12 · Breakfast by the Sea
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 1:16 · Over the Wall in a Basket
Questions people ask
What does the Bible teach kids about friendship?
God made us for friendship. David and Jonathan were loyal friends, four friends carried a man to Jesus, and Jesus calls His disciples His friends. “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, KJV)
Which Bible stories teach friendship?
David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1–4), Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29–51), Through the Roof (Mark 2:1–12), Breakfast by the Sea (John 21:1–14), Over the Wall in a Basket (Acts 9:19–31).
What does the Bible say about being a good friend?
“A friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17). Good friends are loyal, kind and honest, and good friends help each other come to Jesus.
How do I teach friendship to preschoolers?
Make friendship bracelets and say, “A friend loveth at all times.”
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
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