Animated film: David and Jonathan
Sarah and Simon are playing with their friends before visiting their grandmother. At Grandma’s, they start talking about what it means to be a good friend. Grandma has a great story to explain it!
She tells the Bible story of David and his best friend, Jonathan. Jonathan was always a true friend, even when his father, Saul, wanted to kill David. He didn’t even get jealous when David became a good soldier and was very popular. Jonathan showed true friendship by giving David his sword – something he himself was very fond of.
Inspired by Grandma’s story, Sarah and Simon decide to be good friends and immediately start doing good things for those around them.
Someone who blesses others will do well
After the film, you can talk together about why Jonathan was such a good friend. He only wanted the best for David, and he even gave him some of his favorite things. The secret is that doing good for others makes you happy! Just as it says in the Bible in Proverbs 11:25: “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” (That means that someone who blesses others will do well!)
The very best friend we can have is Jesus. He only wants the very best for us, and He gives us joy and wants us to be happy – both as children and as adults. Jesus lives in heaven, where everything is wonderful, and He actually wants to share all this with us! That’s how much He loves us and why He is our best friend. And when we learn from Jesus, we ourselves can become really good friends to others.
Bring the theme to life with games
Simon says:
One of the leaders, or perhaps one of the older children says something like: “Simon says: Smile!” Then all the children do the corresponding movement. The movements are adapted to the story and theme. Tell the children afterwards: It’s just like in the game. A happy smile is catchy, so when you smile, everyone often starts to smile! And the same goes for grumpy faces. So this is something to think about. If you choose to be happy instead of grumpy, you can help everyone else to be happy too. Then you will be a great blessing and joy to others.
Smile: Two thumbs up and a big smile. Jump up and down
Be grumpy: A grumpy face, shoulders hunched, arms crossed and an angry stomp on the ground.
Be scared: Shaking with large movements, with palms flat on your cheeks and a frightened face.
Share and give: Arm movements that hand out to the right and left with large movements.
Questions for discussion
Songs that go with the theme
SOS 16: God loves me to give gladly! (optional: only the chorus)
Bible verses that fit the theme
The generous soul will be made rich.
Proverbs 11:25
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:13
God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
1 Samuel 18:3