Department
of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry
Orthodox Church in America
PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791
http://yya.oca.org
yyacm@oca.org
God's
Time
Third Talk: God’s Friendship
Opening Song
When you think of friendship, what words come to mind? In your notebooks write down several words to describe a friendship. (Pause.)
When you think about God, what words come to mind?
(Ask the participants to say their words. Answers might include “Father,” “Creator,” “Judge,” etc.)
Have you ever thought of God as a friend? Look at the words you wrote down to describe friendship. Most, if not all, of them can be applied to God.
(Give a few examples.)
If it is difficult to think of God as your friend, consider these three statements:
God always loves me unconditionally. He never attaches strings to His love or friendship.
God never stops being my friend. Even when I forget God, He is still there for me.
God never gives up on me. Like a good friend, He is always there to help me, to guide me, to forgive me, and to remind me that I am special and loveable.
But how can we love God back? How do se express our love to a God whom we cannot see? Jesus Christ, who is the greatest sign of God’s love for us, says, “Love one another, even as I have loved you.” I love God by loving others; I receive God’s love by allowing others to love me.
Give an example of this from your own life.
We enter into friendship with God the same way we do with other friends.
Jesus Christ wants my friendship. He even said so in the Gospels: “If you are my friends, you will love others as I love you.”
Give an example of how you know God loves you.
I can put my faith, or trust, in Jesus Christ. I trust my friends and I know that they will deal with me honestly. I know that I can always trust Christ and I know that He is always there, even if I can’t see Him.
Give an example of how you had to trust in God.
Jesus Christ cares about me. I am a unique individual because He made me that way. If God didn’t care about me, He wouldn’t have come into the world. Saint John writes, “God loved us so much that He sent His only son, so that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life.”
Jesus Christ accepts me, no matter how often I turn away from Him. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father forgave his son unconditionally-with no strings attached. Christ reaches out and accepts me; all I have to do is reach out to Him.
Give an example of something you did in which you sought forgiveness.
To Jesus Christ, I am valuable, unique, and loved. Christ simply will not stop loving me, especially when I recognize Him in others.
Give an example of seeing Christ in another person.
In conclusion, God’s friendship is a gift in my life. I can choose to make it live and grow, or I can choose to let it die. I am free to do with it what I want.
Closing Song
|
|
Department
of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry |
|