1
Jesus - Friend of the Friendless
Preparation
Before the lesson read Luke 19:1-10. Prepare blindfold. Prepare list of adjectives.
Activity
In the hall, select a child who is secure and not easily frightened. Isolate her from the rest of the class and blindfold her. Ask her to begin walking towards the rest of the class, but, at this point, do not give her any encouragement. Tell her to stop and ask the children to comment on how she was moving. How do they think she must be feeling?
This time when she begins to walk give her lots of verbal encouragement. When you have stopped her, repeat the same questions to the children.
Finally, when she sets off for the third time, continue the encouragement, but also go to her and lead her by the hand to the rest of the class. Remove blindfold and discuss with child how she felt during each stage of her journey. Repeat exercise with willing volunteer.
Inform the children that the exercise teaches them the difference between having a friend and not having a friend. As a class or in small groups, divide the adjectives between those which describe how it feels to have a friend and those which describe the opposite.
Have any of the children ever felt like they didn't have a friend in the world? When? Have they got friends now? Is there anyone in the class who doesn't have any friends?
Lesson
Share with children the story of Zacchaeus, who really didn't have any friends.
Stress that Zacchaeus had no friends because he treated others badly. They in turn treated him badly. When Jesus treated him well, he became a better person. The reaction of the rest of the townspeople.
Following the example of Jesus, Christians believe they should be the friends of people who don't have any friends. What can the children do for the person in the class who believes he doesn't have any friends?
Likewise, can the children think of any way to thank people for being their friends?
Conclude lesson by telling children that Christians believe Jesus is always their friend, no matter what they do.
Notes
Some suggestions for making a friendless child feel better are:
- for the others in the class to give him invitations to play either during break times or after school.
- to sit him in a circle and for each person to say something nice about him.
- to make him Star for the Day and to conduct an interview with him as if he were a famous celebrity.
