Youth Group Lesson – Friendship

Use this free youth group lesson to teach students the importance of friendships.

Enjoy!

– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

PRAYER – A 4-week youth ministry series on what Jesus taught about prayer.

Youth Group Lesson on Friendship

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

Have you ever had a friend let you down?

Humans are certainly not perfect, if it hasn’t happened already, inevitably someone who is close to you will do something that hurts you.

(Use a personal example of when a friend let you down or use the example below.)

Several years ago, I had a friend that I was very close to.

We traveled around the country in a worship band.

While he was in the process of moving, I let him live in my house.

Though I did not charge him rent, I asked that he help with some of the utilities.

His stay dragged on and he ended up failing to live up to our agreement, and it ended up costing me a lot of money that he never repaid.

I was hurt, angry, and disappointed. I allowed it to drive a wedge between us.

Years later, I really regret how I reacted.

We just recently began to reconnect, and it now seems silly that I allowed money to separate myself from a good friend.

Have you ever allowed the actions of a friend to drive you apart? (Have students raise their hand.)

What are some common things we do when a friend hurts us? (Get responses)

What’s are some better ways to respond?

Let’s read these verses and find out..

Read Proverbs 17:9 (NLT)

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Read Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

These verses give us some key pointers on how to make friendships last.

As I said earlier, friends will make mistakes. They have faults (just as you do).

How you react will determine the future strength of your friendship.

In Proverbs 17:9 we see that forgiveness is essential, but notice what it says will drive a wedge between you… dwelling on the fault.

Often, when someone hurts me I have a hard time thinking about anything else.

It sticks in my brain whether I want it to or not. This, more than anything, has the potential to destroy a friendship.

True forgiveness means moving past the hurt while giving your friend a clean slate.

Colossians 3:13 reminds us that we, too, have been forgiven.

Think about it. Have you ever hurt a friend? Have you ever done something that you regret?

Jesus forgave you. In turn, we are required to do the same.

Everyone has faults.

Everyone makes mistakes.

The key to a healthy friendship is true forgiveness… the kind that Jesus has shown to you.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Do you think it is easier or harder to forgive a friend who hurts you badly as opposed to when someone who is not your friend does it? Why/why not?

What do you think it means to “make allowances” for your friends’ faults?

How do we learn to let go of hurt?

How could I have better handled the situation of my friend owing me money?

What do you think “true forgiveness” really looks like?

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

End lesson.

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

PRAYER – A 4-week youth ministry series on what Jesus taught about prayer.

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Youth Group Game on Friendship