JESUS washed his disciples’ feet to Show that he was a special helper to them. And he sends people into our lives to help us when we cannot do things by ourselves, like parents and teachers and grandparents.

He also told this story to show us that we are all helpers to people around us. Because Jesus loves and serves us, we can  now love and serve other people.

Discuss people in y our family and neighbourhood who need help. How can you help them? What can you do for someone this week, even if he did not ask for help? Maybe a nice hug would make him feel better. He doesn’t have to be a big thing; it can be something quite simple.

Close your discussion by thanking Jesus for sending people into our lives who help us, so that we can help other people.

Help someone today—I Sam. 18-19

Ask your children to name their best friends. Why did they think of these people? Discuss the reasons. Have a prayer thanking the Lord for all of the people mentioned, saying something like, “Lord, thank you for our friends. Thank you for putting people in our lives who know us and love us. Thanks for being our friend, Jesus, Amen.”

Friends are gifts from the Lord. In the story of  David and Jonathan, in I Samuel 18-19, we see how friendship develops and how important it is to have close friends. Share as a family some stories of how friends helped each of you.

To have a friend we all need to be a friend. David and Jonathan were friends to each other because they decided to help each other when problems arose and when each of them needed help and support.

What are some things you can do for your best friend today? What is it that you think he or she needs from you today? And what do you need from your best friend?

David and Jonathan were good friends because they both loved God and were loved by Him. Thank God today for all of your friends, and especially for our mutual friend, Jesus.