Week 4: How can I have a closer friendship with Jesus?
Enjoying the same things as you spend time together helps you to build strong relationships with classmates and neighbors. Growing a strong friendship with Jesus is done the same way. This week we’ll explore how God’s Word brings you closer to Christ.
Be ready to read the following passages:
Let’s start it.
Tell your family about your best friend. How are you alike? What have you learned about that person by spending time with him or her?
Let’s learn it.
The first building block to a strong friendship with God is simply to spend time with Him, learning what He is like and what pleases Him. We’ve already learned that God talks to us through His Word – the Bible. God even tells us about His Word in His Word! It’s so important that the longest chapter in the Bible has only one topic – Scripture. Pause and read Psalm 119:9-16 together to see what the psalmist said about God’s Word.
The writer of Psalm 119 had such a deep love for God’s law that he memorized it. We can’t always stop and read the Bible the exact moment we’re tempted to sin or when we need encouragement. So, the Holy Spirit brings God’s Word back to our minds – if we’ve stored it there by reading and memorizing it. Taking time to think carefully about God’s promises, warnings, and commands will help you to remember them.
The Bible is like a map that directs your thoughts and behavior to please God. Following that map leads you to enjoy the same things Jesus enjoys and dislike what He dislikes. As you put Scripture into your mind, the Holy Spirit will show you where you’re wrong and will urge you to make it right. When you sin, it’s like your heart gets dirty and needs to be washed. What does 1 John 1:8-10 say about how to clean sin from your heart?
A wonderful thing happens when you keep a clean heart. Have a family member read James 4:8 aloud to learn what that is. Did you hear that? When we come near to God by asking Him to forgive our sins, He moves closer to us!
How can you have a stronger friendship with Jesus? Meditate on God’s Word and memorize it. Use the Bible like a map to direct your thoughts and behavior to please God. When you do sin, immediately ask God to forgive you and then change that behavior. Remember to use 1 John 1:9 like a bar of soap to keep your heart clean.
Let’s discuss it.
- Discuss some things that God’s Word says He likes and dislikes. How can you show that you like and dislike the same things in your life this week?
- Take turns sharing parts of God’s Word that you’ve stored in your mind. Have someone ready to look up those passages to check your accuracy.
Let’s do it.
Did you know more verses of Scripture than you thought you knew? It’s great to be familiar with the Bible, but nothing can replace the benefits of intentionally memorizing God’s Word. Ask each member of the family to memorize at least one verse from today’s Bible readings. Older kids and parents may even choose to commit all of this week’s passages to memory. These passages will be a good reminder throughout the week to come near to God and to keep your heart clean.
Ask everyone to bow their heads and share in a silent prayer while one family member reads 1 John 1:9. Silently, ask yourself this question, “What ungodly thought, attitude, or behavior have I been guilty of this week?” Admit that sin to God right now and ask Him to forgive you. If that attitude or action hurt someone else, make sure you ask that person to forgive you, too. Just like taking a bath, you’ll feel better when your heart is clean and pure!