Scripture: John 15:12–15

Introduction

The first Sunday in August is National Friendship Day, a day undoubtedly worth celebrating.

Refreshments

PAL (Potluck Appetizers Loved)

Invite everyone to bring their favorite appetizer to share. Serve “Friendship Punch.” Mix fruit punch and lemon-lime soda in a punch bowl. Add a few scoops of sherbet on the top.

Decorations

Cover the tables with solid primary–colored tablecloths. Put together a LEGO^® Friends Mini set for the refreshment table. These are available at Amazon.com or local stores. They vary in price, starting at $7.99. Or check to see if some of the women’s children or grandchildren have sets that can be borrowed. Make signs on construction paper with friendship sayings. Have 20-30 LEGO^® bricks at each table. They are like friends in that they come in every color, shape, and size and can connect.

Service Project

According to most experts, Central America is thought to be the actual birthplace of Friendship Bracelets. These bracelets use decorative knots associated with the symbols of friendship. Some other bracelets can be traced to China, circa 481– 221 B.C.

As believers, we are called to friendship with our neighbors. Reaching out to the lost or lonely with the love of Jesus is what being a friend is all about. These bracelets can be as straightforward or as elaborate as you want. It is not about how the bracelet looks. It’s the message behind the bracelet, which is to introduce a friend to Christ. Invite the women to make a Friendship Bracelet. Please discuss with the women how they plan to share their bracelets. Any extra bracelets could be shared through the Community Cares Ministry, with Sunday school members, or through the social services office. The following website demonstrates how beginners can make Friendship Bracelets: https://youtu.be/u5knLsLjlaE.

Sharing Activity

Invite the women, as a group, to build something with the LEGO^® bricks on their table. At the end of five minutes ask a representative from each table to share about the process, what they created and what it represents.

Friendship

Take a moment and think about your closest friends. What role have they played in your life? Does your heart grow warm when you think about them? Do you thank God for the good gift He has given you in them? The Apostle Paul made it a prayer habit to thank God for others (see Philippians 1:3-4 and Colossians 1:3-4, for example).

Friends can bring more happiness into our lives than virtually anything else. Friendships have a significant impact on our mental health and happiness. Good friends relieve stress, provide comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness and isolation. Developing close friendships can also have a powerful impact on your physical health.

What is Friendship?

Friendship is, first and foremost biblical. God designed us for friendship, fellowship, and relationship. The very essence of God is relational. As our triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, He is in constant, connection. We were created in His image. We were created to be in a relationship with our Creator and with others. Each one of us longs to be more connected with friends. And this is because God created us for true friendship.

God knew that we should not be alone (Genesis 2:18). The creation of Eve was the beginning of human companionship (friendship). God’s people are a body, not created to function on our own but relationally—together.

Jesus gave everything to His friends—His knowledge of God and, sacrificially, His own life. Jesus is our model for friendship. Because Jesus loved without limits, He has created us so that we can live a life of fellowship with Him and others.

Jesus said, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (John 15:12-15) NLT.

Other Scripture Verses on Friendship

• “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” Proverbs 27:9 (NLV)“So, encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
• “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)
• “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 NLT
• “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

Friendship is also chemical. Scientists have discovered that our brains release neurotransmitter chemicals called oxytocin and dopamine when we enjoy time with friends. These chemicals help us feel calmer and happier. Why do you suppose that God created our brains to release chemicals that us feel calmer and happier when we spend time with friends?

Closing Activity

Have everyone stand in a circle and say one nice thing about the person on their left. Then close in prayer.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of friendship. Thank you for creating us to be in relationship with You and with others. Thank You for teaching us by example how to be a true friend and thank You Jesus for calling us Your friend. In your precious name, Amen.