Jesus Our Brother and Friend (Continued) – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Jesus is our brother and friend. The Bible shows Him befriending Lazarus, Mary and Martha, the disciples, children, Zacchaeus and the Samaritan woman. Jesus loves, protects, provides for, listens to, helps, teaches, forgives and comforts us. As His brothers and friends, we should love and obey Him, and be good friends to others.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• name people in the Bible whom Jesus called His friends;
• say what Jesus does for us as our brother and friend;
• list things we must do as brothers and friends of Jesus;
• describe ways to be a good friend like Jesus.

Which people in the Bible did Jesus call His friends?

Jesus had many friends. Let us learn about some of them.

1. Lazarus, Mary and Martha

Story: John 11:1-44 and Luke 10:38-42

• Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived in Bethany.
• Jesus often visited their home.
• He loved them very much.
• The Bible says, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).

What happened

• Lazarus got sick and died.
• Jesus was very sad and He even cried.
• Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
• This showed how much He loved His friends.

What we learn

• Jesus cares when we are sad.
• Jesus has power over death.
• True friends love each other.

2. The disciples

John 15:15

Jesus said to His disciples: “I no longer call you servants…Instead, I have called you friends.”

Why Jesus called them friends:

• He shared everything with them.
• He taught them secrets about God’s kingdom.
• He spent time with them.
• He trusted them.

3. Children

Matthew 19:14

Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me.”

• Jesus loved children.
• He blessed them.
• He welcomed them.
• He called them friends.

You are Jesus’ friend too!

4. Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

• Zacchaeus was a tax collector (people did not like him).
• Jesus called him down from the tree.
• Jesus said, “I must stay at your house today.”
• Jesus became his friend.
• Zacchaeus changed his life.

What we learn

• Jesus is friends with everyone.
• He does not reject anyone.
• He changes lives through friendship.

5. The Samaritan woman at the well

John 4:1-42

• Jews and Samaritans did not talk to each other.
• Jesus talked to this woman.
• He offered her “living water”.
• She became His follower.
• She told her whole town about Jesus.

What we learn

• Jesus breaks barriers.
• He is friends with people others reject.
• True friendship changes us.

What does Jesus do for us as His brothers and friends?

1. Jesus loves us
   • He loves us unconditionally.
   • His love never ends.
   • Nothing can separate us from His love.
   • John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
   • Jesus died for us!
2. Jesus protects us
   • He watches over us.
   • He keeps us safe.
   • He is our shield.
   • Psalm 121:7-8 says, “The Lord will keep you from all harm.”
3. Jesus provides for us
   • He gives us food, clothes and shelter.
   • He meets our needs.
   • Philippians 4:19 says, “My God will meet all your needs.”
4. Jesus listens to us
   • When we pray, He hears.
   • He pays attention to us.
   • He cares about what we say.
   • 1 Peter 3:12 says, “His ears are attentive to their prayer.”
5. Jesus helps us
   • When we have problems, He helps us.
   • When we are weak, He makes us strong.
   • Hebrews 13:6 says, “The Lord is my helper.”
6. Jesus teaches us
   • He shows us the right way.
   • He guides us.
   • John 14:26 says the Holy Spirit will teach us all things.
7. Jesus forgives us
   • When we sin, He forgives.
   • He does not hold it against us.
   • 1 John 1:9 says, “He will forgive us our sins.”
8. Jesus comforts us
   • When we are sad, He comforts us.
   • 2 Corinthians 1:3 says He is “the God of all comfort”.
9. Jesus fights for us
   • He defeats our enemies.
   • He gives us victory.
   • Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you.”
10. Jesus prepares a place for us
    • In Heaven, He is preparing our home.
    • John 14:2 says, “I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
    • We will live with Him forever!

What must we do as brothers and friends of Jesus?

1. Love Jesus
   • Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
   • Show your love by obeying.
2. Obey Jesus
   • Do what He says.
   • Follow His teachings.
   • Live according to the Bible.
3. Spend time with Jesus
   • Pray every day.
   • Read the Bible.
   • Go to church.
   • Talk to Him.
4. Tell others about Jesus
   • Share the good news.
   • Invite friends to church.
   • Let your life show Jesus.
5. Love others
   • Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
   • Treat everyone with kindness.
6. Forgive others
   • Jesus forgives us, so we should forgive others.
   • Do not hold grudges.
7. Help the needy
   • Feed the hungry.
   • Help the poor.
   • Care for the sick.
   • Matthew 25:40 says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
8. Stay faithful
   • Do not leave Jesus.
   • Be loyal.
   • Stay close to Him.
   • Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.”
9. Worship Jesus
   • Praise Him.
   • Thank Him.
   • Honour Him.
   • He deserves all glory!
10. Be ready for His return
    • Jesus is coming back.
    • We should be ready.
    • Live a holy life.
    • Look forward to His return!

How can we be a good friend like Jesus?

Jesus showed us how to be a good friend. We can be like Him by:

1. Being there
   • Be present for your friends.
   • Do not abandon them.
   • Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times.”
2. Listening
   • Listen when friends talk.
   • Pay attention.
   • Care about what they say.
3. Helping
   • Help when they need it.
   • Be supportive.
   • Be their helper.
4. Being honest
   • Tell the truth.
   • Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
   • True friends tell the truth in love.
5. Forgiving
   • When friends make mistakes, forgive them.
   • Everyone makes mistakes.
6. Encouraging
   • Cheer them up.
   • Say positive things.
   • Build them up.
7. Sharing
   • Share your things.
   • Share your time.
   • Share your life.
8. Praying
   • Pray for your friends.
   • Ask God to bless them.
9. Being loyal
   • Do not betray your friends.
   • Keep their secrets.
   • Be trustworthy.
10. Loving
    • Love them unconditionally.
    • Accept them as they are.
    • Show kindness.

Remember: Jesus is the BEST friend you can ever have! He will never leave you! He loves you more than anyone!

Song: What a friend we have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Jesus raised _____ from the dead.
   • a) Peter
   • b) Lazarus
   • c) Moses
2. Jesus said, “I have called you _____.”
   • a) servants only
   • b) friends
   • c) strangers
3. As Jesus’ friends, we should _____ Him.
   • a) disobey
   • b) forget
   • c) obey
4. Jesus _____ when we pray.
   • a) listens
   • b) sleeps
   • c) ignores
5. Jesus is preparing a _____ for us in Heaven.
   • a) test
   • b) place
   • c) problem

Assignment

1. Write down 3 things Jesus does for you as your friend.
2. Do something kind for a friend this week.
3. Thank Jesus for being your best friend.
4. Draw yourself with Jesus.