Think of your best friend. What makes them your best friend? For me, it is our relationship; the ability to pick up where we left off no matter how long it has been since we last saw each other. It is also because I know I can count on them. If ever I need them, they’re right there for me just as I am there for them.
Jesus desires that same relationship with each of us. He wants us to call on Him whenever we are in trouble or even to share something exciting that has happened in our lives. Jesus wants to sit with us wherever we are in our lives.
This week we will show our kids that Jesus is never too busy to spend time with His friends. Even after Jesus was resurrected, He took the time to search out His friends, make them breakfast, and just sit and talk with them. And while Jesus may not cook us breakfast, He definitely wants to be there for each of us.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: Jesus wants to be my friend forever (Breakfast on the Beach • John 21:1-14)
Memory Verse: “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:18, NIV
Key Question: Who wants to be your friend forever?
Bottom Line: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – Breakfast on the Beach
Worship – Very Best Friend
Worship – My Best Friend
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. We will practice this verse all month. Be sure to use the hand motions as it helps the kids to remember. Also, think of a fun reward you can give them at the end of the month when they are able to say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Bible Story Activity
Coloring Page
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory again. Then say: “Today’s Bible story was about how Jesus made breakfast for His friends, the disciples, on the beach. Jesus wanted His friends to know that He is alive and wants to be their friend forever. Jesus loves all of His friends, more than we can even imagine! And since Jesus made breakfast for His friends, we’re going to make a list of our favorite breakfast foods today. (Have each family member list something.) Let’s pray and thank Jesus for all the ways He shows us that He loves us.”
PRAYER: “Dear God, thank You for giving us Jesus. He is the best friend ever. Thank You for the Bible and all of the true stories that teach us how great a friend Jesus is. We love how Jesus made fish and bread for breakfast for His friends. We like to eat (read the list your family made) for breakfast. I pray each of us will follow Jesus so He can be our friend forever, too. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
