Jesus Loved His Friends
Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-3
Our story comes from the Bible. It is in a part, or book, of the Bible called Luke. Luke loved Jesus and wrote about Him so that others could know Jesus and love Jesus, too. Our story also comes from book in the Bible called John. John was one of the special helpers of Jesus.
The Bible tells us about three friends of Jesus. Lazarus was one friend. He had two sisters who were friends of Jesus, too. One was named Martha. The other sister was Mary.
One day, Jesus visited His friend at their house. Martha, Mary and Lazarus were happy to see Him. They all sat down and talked.
Soon, Martha started to get food ready for dinner. She wanted to be sure that Jesus had all the things He needed. So, she cooked, baked, and began putting things on the table.
Martha wanted Mary to help her with the food. But Mary just sat and listened to Jesus. She listened to every word that Jesus said. That pleased Jesus very much.
When Jesus came to visit another time, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus invited other people to come to a special dinner party. Martha served the food they had made for dinner. Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus and some other friends.
Then Mary came out with a jar of perfume. It had cost a lot of money. Mary wanted to give the perfume to Jesus to show how much she loved Him. She poured the perfume on Jesus’ feed and then wiped them with her long hair.
Pouring oil or perfume on someone was one of the ways that people showed love to others in Bible times. It was often hot outside, so the cool oil felt good. It also made the whole house smell nice.
Jesus loved His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. He knew that they loved Him, too. God gave Jesus friends. God give us friends.
Bible Paraphrase: A friend loves at all times. (A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. – Proverbs 17:17 NIV)
Text Truth: God gives us friends.
Friends are an important part of a balanced life. Jesus knew this was true. He understood the complexities of relationships. He had acquaintances; He had family; He had men He discipled and worked with in ministry; and He had friends.
Through His example, we see the important place that friends have in our lives.
Pray for your friends, especially those who help you grow deeper in your faith and in your love for Jesus. These friends are truly a blessing and are the best kind of friends to have.
Take time to thank God for the special friends He has given you.
As you go different places this week, talk about the friends you have at each place. Thank God for giving us friends.
Throw a friendship party to celebrate God's gift of friends. Invite your child's friends, hang balloons, make a yummy snack, and play games.
Make heart-shaped sandwiches or cookies. As you eat your snack, talk about how you show love to your friends.
This is a good story for your family to act out as you read the story. For a more extended drama, use robes or towels for Bible-time clothes. Have your child pick up an area of your house to pretend to be Martha getting ready for Jesus. Use scented body spray or lotion for the perfume Mary poured on Jesus' feet.
Look through photos of friends. As you see each one, say a short prayer thanking God for giving you that friend.
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The illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license. www.freebibleimages.org
Our story comes from the Bible. It is in a part, or book, of the Bible called Luke. Luke loved Jesus and wrote about Him so that others could know Jesus and love Jesus, too. Our story also comes from book in the Bible called John. John was one of the special helpers of Jesus.
The Bible tells us about three friends of Jesus. Lazarus was one friend. He had two sisters who were friends of Jesus, too. One was named Martha. The other sister was Mary.
One day, Jesus visited His friend at their house. Martha, Mary and Lazarus were happy to see Him. They all sat down and talked.
Soon, Martha started to get food ready for dinner. She wanted to be sure that Jesus had all the things He needed. So, she cooked, baked, and began putting things on the table.
Martha wanted Mary to help her with the food. But Mary just sat and listened to Jesus. She listened to every word that Jesus said. That pleased Jesus very much.
When Jesus came to visit another time, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus invited other people to come to a special dinner party. Martha served the food they had made for dinner. Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus and some other friends.
Then Mary came out with a jar of perfume. It had cost a lot of money. Mary wanted to give the perfume to Jesus to show how much she loved Him. She poured the perfume on Jesus’ feed and then wiped them with her long hair.
Pouring oil or perfume on someone was one of the ways that people showed love to others in Bible times. It was often hot outside, so the cool oil felt good. It also made the whole house smell nice.
Jesus loved His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. He knew that they loved Him, too. God gave Jesus friends. God give us friends.
Bible Paraphrase: A friend loves at all times. (A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. – Proverbs 17:17 NIV)
Text Truth: God gives us friends.
Family Devotional
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. — John 12:1-3
Friends are an important part of a balanced life. Jesus knew this was true. He understood the complexities of relationships. He had acquaintances; He had family; He had men He discipled and worked with in ministry; and He had friends.
Through His example, we see the important place that friends have in our lives.
Pray for your friends, especially those who help you grow deeper in your faith and in your love for Jesus. These friends are truly a blessing and are the best kind of friends to have.
Take time to thank God for the special friends He has given you.
Activities You Can Do at Home
Bible Rhyme
The Bible paraphrase is in the third line of the rhyme. Teach the words and actions a line at a time. Have your child repeat each line back to you.
One friend and one friend,
(Hold up one finger on each hand.)
Together they know
(Hold fingers together.)
A friend loves at all times,
(Hug yourself.)
For God made them so.
(Reach arms up.)
Friends on the Go
Friendship Party
Throw a friendship party to celebrate God's gift of friends. Invite your child's friends, hang balloons, make a yummy snack, and play games.
Snacks and Friends
Make heart-shaped sandwiches or cookies. As you eat your snack, talk about how you show love to your friends.
Act Out the Bible Story
This is a good story for your family to act out as you read the story. For a more extended drama, use robes or towels for Bible-time clothes. Have your child pick up an area of your house to pretend to be Martha getting ready for Jesus. Use scented body spray or lotion for the perfume Mary poured on Jesus' feet.
Photos of Friends
Look through photos of friends. As you see each one, say a short prayer thanking God for giving you that friend.
The illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license. www.freebibleimages.org
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