Jesus is Our Friend…so we’re good friends to others.

Hey, Bridge Family, 

Teaching that Jesus is our friend can be more challenging than it seems. It's important to remember that while He is our friend, He is our Lord. When exploring Jesus’ definition of friendship in the Gospel of John, we might overlook the statement, ‘You are my friends if you do what I command’ (v. 14). Our focus tends to be on what He does for us as our friend. Though Jesus is a wonderful friend, we might not always respond at that same level. To let His light shine through us and our children, we should strive to be genuine friends to Jesus by being kind and caring friends to others.  
Reflecting on Jesus’ example, He shows us,  

1. A Friend is Present: Jesus enjoyed spending time with friends, getting to know them and sharing in their lives. While many, including children, can be self-focused, showing we care — by listening and being there — reflects Jesus' love and presence. 

2. A friend is selfless: Jesus came to serve, not to be served. As adults, we often fall short, and children’s friendships are often based on reciprocation, which adults also struggle with. Teaching children to be less transactional fosters genuine friendships, reflecting Jesus's heart. 

3. A friend prays for friends: Before the cross, Christ prayed for His friends. We worry about many things, and kids are the same. Children often worry more about their family than themselves, showing that they care about others. Teaching kids to pray for others demonstrates a deeper care than worry and teaches them to rely on the Lord, thereby easing the pressure to solve every problem.  

Our friendships and the way we treat others are some of the best ways to show our love for Christ outside of our families. Learning to cultivate Christ-like relationships can take years, both in our own lives and in those of our children. Here are a couple of ideas to help us along the way. 

1. Read the Bible and focus on how you see Jesus present, selfless, and praying for his friends, reminding your kids that He is doing the same for them. 
 2. In the Bible, find stories that reinforce these principles. A good place to start is the friendship between David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel, and share your thoughts with your kids.  
 Remember, it’s never too late to engage. As long as your child is at home, you have an excellent opportunity to share the Bible and explore it together, making faith an exciting and meaningful adventure. God Bless, and hope to see your family on Sunday. 
 Pastor Bob