WORLD SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSONS AND HANDOUTS FOR THIS WEEK

World Sunday School first appeared on the Internet on May 14, 2003. Since that time, this independent website has supplied weekly graded Sunday School lessons and handouts (and, often, coloring pages) to help Sunday School teachers worldwide. We hope to help preserve the Sunday School movement which had its glory days in the 1930's. In a time when so many churches are downsizing Sunday Schools, we aim to preserve this Christian teaching to enrich the life of children and youth worldwide.

JUNIOR/ADULT LESSON - January 1, 2023

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CURRENT LESSON PLAN
What a Friend
January 1, 2023

Our Sunday school topic for today focuses on friendship. We are talking about how important our friends are to us, and our mother and father. Then we realize that Jesus is our friend too. Remember the song - "What a Friend we Have in Jesus!"

GOD Bless You All. : )

CURRENT HANDOUT
What a Friend
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

I read somewhere a while back (probably in Reader's Digest)

It was a little story that went something like this:

An old man was sitting on his porch in his split back rocker enjoying the quiet of the countryside. A couple drove up to his front gate; got out of their car and walked up to the old man.

"Say, old timer, what kind of folks live in these parts? Are they nice and friendly? We are thinking about moving here."

The old man thought a minute and then asked the couple. "What kind of people was they where you come from?"

Without hesitation the man said; "They were very unfriendly and snobbish. We did not like them at all."

Well said the old man; "I'm afraid that's the kind of people you'll find here. You probably won't like it." With that the couple thanked him and drove off.

A few days later another couple stopped and asked the man the same question. Again the old man asked them about the people they had lived amongst. Their reply was: "They were some of the most wonderful and caring people you could ever hope to meet". "We are hoping to find a place here where the people are that way."

To this the old man replied; "That is exactly the kind of people you will find here."

Friendship is a two-way street. We cannot expect love from others if we in turn are not willing to love. Friendship means giving and sharing. It means hurting together and laughing together. It is companionship with the freedom of knowing that your friend would not do anything to purposely hurt you and you would not do anything to purposely hurt your friend.

Friendship comes with responsibility. The responsibility to tell the truth even when the truth might bring pain and anguish. The Apostle Paul exhibited this quality when through love he told the truth even when that truth brought adversity to himself. When he had to bring admonition to the Galatian people who did not want to hear the truth he said: "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16)

The second clause of the verse says: "there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." This is the true friend. A friend that loves you and desires to be with you. He will share your laughter and your sorrow. He will bear your burdens and carry your heavy load if you will but let Him (1 Pet. 5:7). He is a friend that will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5) even when you turn your back on Him. He is a friend that will tell you the truth even when you don't want to hear the truth.

He is a friend that has died for you (John 15:13)!

His name is Jesus and you could have not better friend. If you don't have Him as your friend then I would urge you to make friends with Him. You won't be disappointed.

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Today's Bible Nugget is written and presented by Brother Dwight