FRIENDSHIP IN THE BIBLE : CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FRIEND AND BAD FRIEND

SECOND TERM E-LEARNING NOTE

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE

CLASS:  SSS 2

SCHEME OF WORK

WEEK FIVE

TOPIC: FRIENDSHIP

• Friendship.
• Jesus, Mary and Martha.
• Jesus and Lazarus.
• David, Jonathan and Saul.
• Characteristics of a good friend.
• Characteristics of a bad friend.

Previous Lesson

CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE

Objective:

To explore the concept of friendship in the Bible, including examples of both good and bad friendships and the characteristics that define each.

Materials:

• Bible passages (Luke 10:32-42, John 11:1-44, 1 Samuel 18-19)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Multi-choice question worksheets on each topic covered
• Listicle handouts on the characteristics of good and bad friends

Content

Christian Religious Studies is a subject that explores various aspects of the Christian faith, including the teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of living a life in accordance with God’s will. One of the key themes that runs throughout the Christian faith is the importance of friendship.

In the Bible, there are many examples of friendships that demonstrate the values of loyalty, trust, and support. For example, the friendship between David and Jonathan is a well-known example of a strong and faithful bond between two people. Despite the challenges they faced, they remained loyal to each other and supported each other through thick and thin.

Similarly, Jesus himself was known for his close friendships with his disciples. He showed them love and compassion, and they in turn were devoted to him and his teachings. One of the most famous examples of this friendship is the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with his disciples and washed their feet as a sign of humility and love.

In our own lives, friendship is also an important part of our Christian journey. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to build strong and supportive relationships with those around us. This means being there for our friends when they need us, showing them compassion and forgiveness, and being a source of encouragement and strength.

In summary, Christian Religious Studies teaches us that friendship is an essential part of the Christian faith, and that we should strive to build strong and meaningful relationships with those around us, just as Jesus did with his disciples

Friendship is a type of relationship between two people who care for each other. A friend is the first person you want to call when you have news to tell, be it good or bad. In other words, friendship is wonderful. It demands time and effort and that people should put someone other than themselves first sometimes. In actual fact, a friend can provide immense amount of support and comfort in all situations.

EVALUATION

Who is a friend?

JESUS, MARTHA AND MARY. LK.10: 32-42

The friendship Jesus had with Mary and Martha was quite cordial. Whenever Jesus arrives at Bethany, he is always received well by these people. Martha is more of the hospitality, while Mary love to hear the teachings of Christ

The story of Jesus, Martha, and Mary is a great example of friendship in the Bible. In Luke 10:32-42, we read about how Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary. While Martha was busy with preparing food and taking care of household chores, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to him.

Martha became frustrated with Mary for not helping her, and she complained to Jesus. Jesus responded by saying that Mary had chosen the better thing by sitting and listening to him, and that Martha was too worried and distracted by all of the tasks she was trying to do.

Through this story, we see that Jesus valued his relationship with both Martha and Mary, but he also recognized the importance of taking time to sit and listen to his teachings. Mary, on the other hand, recognized the importance of spending time with Jesus and learning from him.

This story demonstrates the qualities of a good friendship, such as the ability to listen, respect, and understand each other. It also shows the importance of prioritizing our time and focusing on what is truly important in our lives.

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ example and build meaningful friendships with others, just as he did with Martha and Mary. We should strive to be good listeners, offer support, and prioritize spending time with those we care about

Evaluation

1. Who did Jesus visit in the story of Martha and Mary? A. Mary and Martha B. Mary and Lazarus C. Martha and Lazarus D. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
2. What was Martha doing when Jesus visited? A. Sitting and listening to Jesus B. Preparing food and doing household chores C. Reading the Bible D. Singing hymns
3. What did Mary do when Jesus visited? A. Helped Martha with household chores B. Sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to him C. Left the house to run errands D. Ignored Jesus and went about her business
4. What did Martha complain to Jesus about? A. Mary not helping with household chores B. Jesus not staying for dinner C. The weather being too hot D. The food not being ready on time
5. How did Jesus respond to Martha’s complaint? A. He scolded Mary for not helping with household chores B. He told Martha to stop worrying and be more like Mary C. He sympathized with Martha and offered to help with the chores D. He praised Mary for choosing to listen to his teachings
6. What lesson can we learn from the story of Martha and Mary? A. That household chores are more important than listening to Jesus B. That we should always be busy and productive C. That we should prioritize spending time with Jesus and learning from him D. That we should not invite guests over to our house
7. Who is considered to have chosen the better thing in the story? A. Martha B. Mary C. Lazarus D. Jesus
8. What qualities of a good friendship are demonstrated in the story? A. Listening, respect, and understanding B. Competition, jealousy, and anger C. Dishonesty, deceit, and betrayal D. Greed, selfishness, and pride
9. How can we apply the lesson of the story to our own lives? A. By always prioritizing household chores over spending time with friends and family B. By being more like Martha and worrying about every little detail C. By taking the time to listen to Jesus and building meaningful friendships with others D. By ignoring the needs of others and focusing solely on ourselves
10. What is the main message of the story of Martha and Mary? A. To always prioritize household chores over anything else B. To be more like Martha and worry about every little detail C. To take the time to listen to Jesus and build meaningful friendships with others D. To ignore the needs of others and focus solely on ourselves.

JESUS AND LAZARUS Jn 11:1-44

Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus was so close to this family because he is highly welcomed at their home. However, Lazarus became sick and  a message was sent to Jesus about his friend’s illness. Jesus did not go immediately and stayed where he was for another two days. After that, he told his disciples  that he is going to Judea but his disciples told him about the plot of the Jews who want to attack him. However, he persuaded them to go and wake Lazarus. The disciples thought that he meant he was asleep but he told them that Lazarus was dead.

When Jesus got there, he was told that Lazarus had been put in the tomb. He asked for where he was laid and he wept because of the love he had for him. The people saw his compassion for his friend. He told the people to roll away the stone. Martha told him that he would havebeen stinking because he had been dead for four days. Jesus told her that she onlyneed to believe to see the glory of God. After the stone had been rolled away, Jesus thanked God for granting his request. When he had done that, he cried with a loud voice saying, “Lazarus, come out”. And Lazarus came out and Jesus told them to loose him and let him go.

The story of Jesus and Lazarus in John 11:1-44 is a powerful example of friendship in the Bible. Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus, and when he fell ill, his sisters Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus to come and heal him.

Despite the fact that Jesus was some distance away, he still chose to come to the aid of his friend. However, by the time he arrived, Lazarus had already died and had been in the tomb for four days.

Despite this setback, Jesus still demonstrated his love and friendship for Lazarus by performing one of his most well-known miracles. He called out to Lazarus and commanded him to come out of the tomb, and miraculously, Lazarus came back to life.

This story demonstrates the qualities of a true friendship, such as love, loyalty, and support. Jesus showed that he was willing to go to great lengths to help his friend, even if it meant traveling a great distance and performing a miraculous act.

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ example and build strong and meaningful friendships with others, just as he did with Lazarus. We should be willing to support and care for our friends in their time of need, just as Jesus did for Lazarus and his family.

The story of Jesus and Lazarus teaches us about the importance of true friendship and the power of love and compassion. It inspires us to be better friends and to demonstrate kindness and support to those around us

EVALUATION

1. Who was Lazarus to Jesus? A. A distant relative B. A close friend C. A disciple D. A neighbor
2. What did Martha and Mary do when Lazarus fell ill? A. They went to Jesus and asked for his help B. They tried to heal him themselves C. They did nothing and waited for him to recover on his own D. They asked their other friends for help
3. How long had Lazarus been in the tomb when Jesus arrived? A. One day B. Two days C. Three days D. Four days
4. What did Jesus do when he arrived at the tomb of Lazarus? A. He wept B. He laughed C. He danced D. He did nothing
5. What did Jesus do to bring Lazarus back to life? A. He gave him medicine B. He prayed over him C. He called out to him and commanded him to come out of the tomb D. He performed surgery on him
6. What did the people who witnessed the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection do? A. They were angry and upset B. They were confused and didn’t know what to think C. They were amazed and believed in Jesus D. They were bored and didn’t care
7. How does the story of Jesus and Lazarus demonstrate the qualities of a true friendship? A. By showing loyalty and support B. By demonstrating competitiveness and jealousy C. By displaying selfishness and pride D. By being dishonest and deceitful
8. What can we learn from the story of Jesus and Lazarus? A. The importance of true friendship and the power of love and compassion B. The importance of holding grudges and seeking revenge C. The importance of putting our own needs above those of others D. The importance of being selfish and only looking out for ourselves
9. How can we apply the lessons of the story to our own lives? A. By being selfish and only looking out for ourselves B. By being competitive and jealous of others C. By showing love, compassion, and support to our friends in their time of need D. By ignoring the needs of our friends and family and only focusing on ourselves
10. What is the main message of the story of Jesus and Lazarus? A. The power of true friendship and the importance of showing love and compassion to those in need B. The importance of being competitive and jealous of others C. The importance of putting our own needs above those of others D. The importance of being selfish and only looking out for ourselves

Describe the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus. 

DAVID, SAUL AND JONATHAN. 1 SAM 18 AND 19

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, loved David as his own soul. Despite his father’s hatred for David, he still love him. Due to this love, he told David to run away when he realized that the king had made up his mind to hunt down David.

The story of David, Saul, and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18 and 19 is a great example of friendship in the Bible. David was a young shepherd boy who had been anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. Saul was the current king, but he had fallen out of favor with God and had been rejected as king. Jonathan was Saul’s son and a close friend of David.

Despite the fact that David had been anointed as the future king, he remained loyal to Saul and served him faithfully. Saul, however, became jealous of David and began to view him as a threat. He even attempted to kill David on several occasions.

Despite Saul’s hostility towards him, David remained loyal to Jonathan and formed a strong friendship with him. Jonathan recognized that David was the rightful heir to the throne, and he was willing to risk his own safety to help David.

This story demonstrates the qualities of a true friendship, such as loyalty, trust, and support. Jonathan showed that he was willing to put his own safety on the line to help his friend, even if it meant going against his own father. David, in turn, remained loyal to Saul even when he was being persecuted by him.

As Christians, we are called to follow the example of David and Jonathan and build strong and meaningful friendships with others. We should be willing to support and care for our friends in their time of need, even if it means going against others who may be hostile towards them.

The story of David, Saul, and Jonathan teaches us about the importance of true friendship and the power of loyalty and support. It inspires us to be better friends and to demonstrate kindness and compassion to those around us, even in the face of adversity

Evaluation

1. Who was anointed as the future king of Israel by Samuel? A. David B. Saul C. Jonathan D. Samuel
2. Who was the current king of Israel at the time of David’s anointing? A. David B. Saul C. Jonathan D. Samuel
3. What was Saul’s relationship with David? A. They were close friends B. They were distant relatives C. They were enemies D. They had no relationship
4. How did Saul feel about David? A. He loved him like a son B. He was jealous of him C. He admired him D. He was indifferent towards him
5. What did Saul do to try to harm David? A. He gave him a promotion B. He hired him as a servant C. He sent him on a dangerous mission D. He attempted to kill him
6. Who was Jonathan to David? A. His enemy B. His distant relative C. His close friend D. His mentor
7. What did Jonathan do to help David? A. He told him where to hide from Saul B. He gave him money to flee the country C. He betrayed him to Saul D. He did nothing to help him
8. How does the story of David, Saul, and Jonathan demonstrate the qualities of a true friendship? A. By showing loyalty, trust, and support B. By demonstrating competition, jealousy, and anger C. By displaying selfishness and pride D. By being dishonest and deceitful
9. What can we learn from the story of David, Saul, and Jonathan? A. The importance of true friendship and the power of loyalty and support B. The importance of being competitive and jealous of others C. The importance of putting our own needs above those of others D. The importance of being selfish and only looking out for ourselves
10. How can we apply the lessons of the story to our own lives? A. By being selfish and only looking out for ourselves B. By being competitive and jealous of others C. By showing love, compassion, and support to our friends in their time of need D. By ignoring the needs of our friends and family and only focusing on ourselves

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FRIEND

1. He takes genuine interest in people.
2. He is a giver.
3. He is loyal.
4. He is a positive person.
5. He is open and honest.

1. Takes genuine interest in people: A good friend is genuinely interested in the lives and well-being of others. They take the time to listen and understand their friends’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
2. Is a giver: A good friend is selfless and always willing to give of their time, energy, and resources to help their friends. They are generous and compassionate and seek to help others without expecting anything in return.
3. Is loyal: A good friend is steadfast and unwavering in their loyalty to their friends. They stand by their friends in good times and bad, through thick and thin, and are always there to support them when they need it most.
4. Is a positive person: A good friend is optimistic and positive, always looking for the good in every situation. They have a good sense of humor and a positive outlook on life, and they spread positivity wherever they go.
5. Is open and honest: A good friend is transparent and honest with their friends. They are willing to share their thoughts and feelings openly and to listen to feedback from others. They do not keep secrets or hold grudges, and they are always willing to work through conflicts in a constructive way

CHARACTERISTICS OF A BAD  FRIEND

1. He pressurizes you to do things you don’t want to do.
2. He takes advantage of you.
3. He gives you bad advice.
4. He lies against you.
5. He tells people your secrets.

EVALUATION

1. Which of the following is a characteristic of a good friend? A. Takes advantage of others B. Is self-centered and selfish C. Is generous and compassionate D. Manipulates and coerces others
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of a bad friend? A. Is loyal and steadfast B. Lies to you and others C. Is open and honest D. Takes a genuine interest in people
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a good friend? A. Spreads rumors and gossip B. Is optimistic and positive C. Gives bad advice D. Is manipulative and controlling
4. Which of the following is a characteristic of a bad friend? A. Takes a genuine interest in people B. Uses you for their own gain C. Is loyal and supportive D. Gives you constructive feedback
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of a good friend? A. Pressurizes you to do things you don’t want to do B. Is negative and pessimistic C. Is transparent and honest D. Is deceptive and manipulative
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of a bad friend? A. Is open and honest B. Spreads positivity and encouragement C. Takes advantage of your generosity D. Is loyal and steadfast
7. Which of the following is a characteristic of a good friend? A. Tells people your secrets B. Is generous and selfless C. Lies to you and others D. Gives you bad advice
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of a bad friend? A. Is loyal and supportive B. Manipulates and controls you C. Is a positive and optimistic person D. Is open and honest
9. Which of the following is a characteristic of a good friend? A. Spreads rumors and gossip B. Takes advantage of your resources C. Is loyal and steadfast D. Gives you bad advice
10. Which of the following is a characteristic of a bad friend? A. Takes a genuine interest in people B. Spreads positivity and encouragement C. Pressurizes you to do things you don’t want to do D. Is transparent and honest

Mention five characteristics of a bad friend.

Lesson Plan Presentation: Friendship in the Bible

Introduction (10 minutes):

Begin by asking students to share their thoughts and experiences with friendship. Ask them to define what friendship means to them and what they think are the essential qualities of a good friend. Write their responses on the whiteboard.

Biblical Examples of Friendship (20 minutes): Present the Bible passages that focus on friendship, such as Luke 10:32-42 (the story of Mary, Martha, and Jesus) and John 11:1-44 (the story of Jesus and Lazarus). Discuss the characteristics of a good friend that are evident in these stories, such as loyalty, support, and compassion. Use the whiteboard to list these characteristics.

Bad Examples of Friendship (15 minutes): Present the story of David, Saul, and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18-19 as an example of bad friendship. Discuss the characteristics of a bad friend that are evident in this story, such as jealousy, manipulation, and betrayal. Use the whiteboard to list these characteristics.

Characteristics of Good and Bad Friends (10 minutes): Hand out the listicle handouts on the characteristics of good and bad friends. Have the students read through them and identify which characteristics are evident in the biblical examples discussed.

Assessment (15 minutes):

Distribute the multi-choice question worksheets on each topic covered. Have the students complete the worksheets individually or in pairs. Review the answers as a class to reinforce the concepts covered.

Conclusion (10 minutes):

Summarize the main points covered in the lesson, emphasizing the importance of good friendship and the negative consequences of bad friendship. Encourage the students to apply these lessons in their own lives and strive to be good friends to others

Weekly Assessment /Test 

1. What are some of the characteristics of a good friend, according to the Bible? A. Being manipulative and controlling B. Being self-centered and selfish C. Being loyal and supportive D. Being negative and pessimistic
2. What is the story of Mary, Martha, and Jesus in Luke 10:32-42 about? A. Betrayal and deceit B. Loyalty and support C. Manipulation and control D. None of the above
3. What can we learn about friendship from the story of Jesus and Lazarus in John 11:1-44? A. The importance of loyalty and support B. The negative consequences of jealousy and betrayal C. The power of forgiveness and reconciliation D. None of the above
4. Who were David, Saul, and Jonathan, and what is their story about? A. They were disciples of Jesus B. They were kings of Israel C. They were friends who experienced both good and bad aspects of friendship D. None of the above
5. What are some of the characteristics of a bad friend, according to the Bible? A. Being honest and transparent B. Spreading positivity and encouragement C. Spreading rumors and gossip D. Being loyal and supportive
6. How did Saul treat David in 1 Samuel 18-19, and what does this story teach us about bad friendship? A. Saul treated David with kindness and respect, demonstrating the qualities of a good friend. B. Saul became jealous of David and attempted to kill him, demonstrating the qualities of a bad friend. C. Saul ignored David and had no relationship with him, demonstrating indifference towards friendship. D. None of the above.
7. What are some of the essential qualities of a good friend, according to the listicle handout? A. Being manipulative and controlling B. Being open and honest C. Spreading negativity and pessimism D. None of the above
8. What are some of the essential qualities of a bad friend, according to the listicle handout? A. Being loyal and supportive B. Giving good advice C. Taking advantage of others D. None of the above
9. How can we apply the lessons of the Bible about friendship to our own lives? A. By being manipulative and controlling towards others B. By spreading rumors and gossip C. By being loyal and supportive to our friends D. None of the above
10. Why is it important to have good friendships in our lives, according to the lesson? A. Good friendships provide us with resources and connections. B. Good friendships help us achieve our personal goals. C. Good friendships provide us with emotional support and enhance our well-being. D. None of the above.

GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Mention five characteristics of a good friend.
2. Describe the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus.
3. What advice did Paul give on the use of individual talents in his epistle?
4. Identify any two ways of applying your talents.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3. Edmond Okoli.Pg 184.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. ____ loves David as his own soul. A. Jonathan B. James C. Saul D. Simeon
2. Lazarus had been dead for___ days before Jesus came. A.4 B. 2 C.6 D. 5
3. The two sisters of Lazarus were___. A. Mary and Martha B. Abigail and Eve C. Martha  and Jael D. Esther and Diana
4. Lazarus and his two sisters reside in____. A. Jericho B. Jerusalem C. Bethel D. Nazareth
5. Jonathan advised David to___ because of King Saul. A. stay around B. run away C. be in the palace D. go the field.

THEORY

1. Mention five attributes of a good friend.
2. Describe the friendship between David and Jonathan.