YEA Lesson Library
Best Friends
About This Lesson
Using the example of Jonathan loving David over anything he could get in this world, the student is exhorted to see Jesus as his friend who will help him when he’s in trouble.
Scriptures
1 Samuel 18:1-4, 10-16
1 Samuel 19:8-10
1 Samuel 20:1-42
Job 6:14
Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 22:11
Proverbs 27:9-10
James 2:23
James 4:4
Words to Know
SHARED SECRETS - told each other things they didn’t tell anyone else
SIGNAL - a warning
SEARCHED - looked for
The Lesson
David lived in the palace with King Saul’s family. David’s very best friend was King Saul’s son, Jonathan. They liked being together. They shared secrets with each other. They helped each other. David and Jonathan loved each other.
Jonathan was Saul’s oldest son. He should have followed his father to be the next king. But God picked David for that job. This made Saul so mad, he tried to kill David. Saul threw a spear at David. But, David got away safely. Saul searched for David so he could kill him. But God helped David.
Saul knew David and Jonathan were friends. Saul told Jonathan to find David and bring him to the king. Saul said, “As long as David is alive, you will never be king!”
Jonathan was very sad. He loved David with all his heart. He loved David more than he wanted to be king. So Jonathan went to warn David.
David waited for Jonathan in a field. Jonathan couldn’t go near David to talk to him. Saul’s soldiers might follow him and catch David. So Jonathan shot an arrow in the field. Jonathan’s young helper went to get the arrow. Jonathan called out, “Hurry, run fast.” That was a signal for David to run away. Saul was surely trying to kill him.
Jonathan was a good friend. He loved David. And he helped him when David was in trouble. Jesus wants to be your Best Friend. He loves you. He will help you when you are in trouble.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Proverbs 18:24
Monday - Proverbs 22:11
Tuesday - Proverbs 27:9
Wednesday - Proverbs 27:10
Thursday - James 2:23
Friday - James 4:4
Saturday - Job 6:14
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Tell that David and Jonathan were Best Friends.
2. Explain why Saul was trying to kill David.
3. Describe how Jonathan warned David to run away.
4. State that Jesus wants to be our Best Friend.
Topics & Themes
David
Friend
Jesus, Our Friend
Jonathan
Trouble
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stickers, music player and CD or tape, songbook, construction paper, glue, glitter, crayons, life jacket
Preparation
Trust is an abstract term that young children may have a hard time understanding. Yet they practice trust every day. They trust, or rely on, their parents to take care of them. They trust their teachers to do what is best for them. And they trust adults and peers in their life to be kind and good to them. Whenever that trust is broken, children experience hurt feelings, disappointment, and in some cases, physical pain.
Today’s lesson is about a true friendship between David and Jonathan. The children will learn things they can do to be a true friend. And they will learn that Jesus wants to be their Best Friend. He will never fail them, and He always does what is best for them.
Before you come to class, fold enough sheets of construction paper in half to make cards for each child in your class. On the outside cover draw a large heart. Write “I Love My Friends” on the cover (See diagram).
Review Questions
Have Tiny ask the questions.
1.Who was David’s best friend?
2. Why was Jonathan not going to be the next king?
3. What did Saul do when he was mad at David?
4. What did Jonathan warn David about?
5. How did he signal David?
6. Who wants to be our Best Friend?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Friend Card
Give each child a “Friends” card. Have them color the heart on the outside. Outline the heart with glue. Allow the children to sprinkle glitter on the glue. Shake excess glitter into a bowl or box to be reused later. Open the cards and have the children write their name on the inside. This card can be given to a family member or to one of their friends.
REACH Activity
Letter: J
Words: Jonathan, job, Jesus
Sentence: JONATHAN SHOULD HAVE HAD DAVID’S JOB.
Song
“Jesus Loves The Little Ones” is on page 42 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I’m glad David had such a good friend as Jonathan. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be my Friend. I know I can call on Him when I am in trouble.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Printable Pages
