Lesson 5 -- Jesus and My Friends

The choice of friends is one of the most important decisions in a young person’s life. The desire to be accepted by peers often outweighs the desire to be a Christian. My brother went away to boarding academy. He wanted to be in with the other guys and was soon led to the wrong crowd. At first it was just ditching classes or going to the beach when they were supposed to be working. Then someone found some cigarettes and of course no one would stand up and say “No!” Soon it was leaving school without permission, going to bars and night clubs, etc. Of course they were expelled but his life continued to go in the same direction. He married a girl who was an atheist and started a family but continued to smoke, drink and do other non-Christian activities. It was not until later in life when his daughter died and his wife left him that he began to turn back to God. If only he had stayed with God how different his life would have been.

1. What does the Bible say about hanging with those who are not Christians?
Proverbs 1:10, 11, 15


Proverbs 13:20


Proverbs 23:17, 20, 21


Proverbs 24:1, 2


Proverbs 22:24, 25


2. What causes us to lose good friends? Proverbs 16:28


3. How can we make and keep friends?
Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)


Proverbs 22:11


4. What does the Bible teach us about how to treat other people?
John 13:34


1 Peter 1:22


5. Can one love someone without being friends with them?


6. What is the difference between being friendly and being friends?


7. Am I able to make and keep friends?


8. Discuss with the class how well you get along with others at school or at work.


9. How well do you get along with your teachers or supervisors?


10. List 4 things we should do in order to have and keep good friends.
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