Friend Request: Learning to Be a Friend Like Jesus | September in Junior Church

What does it mean to be a good friend in today’s world?

This September, the children at Green Camp United Methodist Church will explore that question through Friend Request, a four-week series designed to help children build healthy, Christ-centered friendships—in person and online.

Friendships are an important part of growing up, but children today are navigating relationships in ways that previous generations never experienced. From choosing friends at school to interacting with others online, kids need practical guidance for building healthy relationships while keeping their faith at the center.

Friend Request brings biblical wisdom into those everyday situations. Over four weeks, children will learn how to:

• Choose good friends who encourage them and help them grow.

• Recognize their God-given worth, remembering that their value doesn't come from likes, followers, or online attention.

• Look to Jesus as the ultimate example of friendship, learning what it means to love, support, and care for others.

• Practice kindness, discovering how even small acts can make a big difference in someone else's life.

Each week combines Bible stories, games, activities, crafts, discussion, and real-life digital applications to help children connect timeless biblical truths with the world they live in today.

Four Weeks of Friendship and Faith

The series begins with “Friend Filter,” where children will explore what makes a friendship healthy and encouraging. Through the story of the wise and foolish builders, they’ll discover how the choices we make can help us build strong foundations for our relationships and our lives.

In “Be Your Own Bestie,” children will explore Psalm 139 and the truth that God made each of us wonderfully and loves us. They’ll consider how their worth isn’t determined by online likes or followers.

Next comes “Jesus Is Your Super Friend,” focusing on Jesus’ words in John 15:12-15, where He calls His followers friends. Children will learn from Jesus’ example about how we can love, support, and care for the people around us.

The series concludes with “Kindness Quest,” using the story of Ruth and Naomi to show children how small acts of kindness can have a big impact on the lives of others.

At the heart of Friend Request is a simple message: our relationships matter to God. Children will be encouraged to make wise choices, treat others with kindness, recognize their own God-given value, and follow Jesus' example in the way they treat their friends.

We invite families to join us throughout September at Green Camp United Methodist Church as we learn, grow, and discover what it means to be a friend like Jesus.