TFTeen Lesson 6 for 3rd Week of June

6^th Meeting

Biblical Reference:

Psalms 25.14, John 11.1-46, John 12.1-8

Purpose of the meeting:

Teach teenagers that we should become friends of God

Key verse:

“The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” (Psalms 25.14)

Initiating the meeting:

Start this meeting by asking: Do you consider yourself a friend of God? Do you know what is necessary to have His friendship? (Wait for their participation). In today’s study we will find out what is necessary to be so close to God.

Edifying message:

Friends of God

       “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” (Psalms 25.14). According to the dictionary, the word intimacy means familiarity, friendship. When a person says they are a close friend to someone, we imagine that one trusts, knows, respects and has confidences towards this someone.

        To be close to God and friends of Him we should respect Him and be obedient to His Word. The Bible says: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” (James 2.23).  Abraham obeyed the hardest request of his life, and offered his only son in sacrifice to God. It is only fair to be considered His friend, right?

        Only someone who trusts 100% would have faith and courage to take such attitude; “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He…was about to sacrifice his one and only son…Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead…” (Hebrews 11.17-19). He believed that God would give him back his boy, and that would fulfill the promises He had made. And this act made ​​Abraham the father of a great nation and also our father in faith!

 

        Suddenly you're wondering: What should I do to be a friend of God? The Lord Jesus taught us when He said: “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15.14). We must practice what is written, follow the Word of God, His commandments and not to worry if others will like it or if they will criticize our faith. We should know that the Holy Scriptures say: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5.29). In doing so, we are not just friends of God, but also blessed by Him.

        For those who prefer to please others and live according to the world, the Apostle James, inspired by God, made an important guidance when he said: “…don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4.4). Hardly anyone will be able to maintain a friendship, if you live in discord and disharmony with this friend, right?

        It's great to have a true friendship. There are friends who are like brothers, because they are always together no matter the situation. They laugh, cry, and celebrate together. They go on for years and decades and the friendship remains. If you can maintain a friendship with someone that is so flawed that may disappoint or say something that upsets you, imagine if we are friends of God, a Supreme Being who has no defect, who will never say words that make us sad or hurt, nor forsake us because He is Faithful!

       

                                        

Conclusion:

          Teenagers, take advantage today and enter into a covenant with this Living and Wonderful God. Give your whole life to Him, use your faith and He will turn to you too. Remember: “The LORD confides in those who fear Him…” (Psalms 25.14). God is waiting for your attitude to act in your favor. Ok?

 

Activity for the 6^th Meeting

Alone with God

Reflecting on today's lesson write in the lines below on how your relationship with God has been. Do you consider yourself a friend of Him? Justify your answer.