Upside Down- Week 1- November 2

In middle school, friendships are a big deal. That’s because, for the first time in their lives, a middle schoolers’ friends are becoming big influences in their lives – even bigger than their parents, in many ways. There are developmental reasons for this. Think of it this way: in this phase, every middle schooler is asking two big questions: Who likes me? and Who am I? As they for answers to those big questions, they will inevitably look to their friends to find their meaning, their identity, and their value. So, in a very significant way, their friends affect the way they see themselves, the way they see the world, and the way they see themselves in the world. That’s why, as we’ll talk about this week, it’s so important to help middle schoolers build healthy friendships.

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Share a high and a low from the past week.
If you could be best friends with one character from a movie, show, or book, who would you choose?

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John 13:2-5 New International Version (NIV)
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

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How do great friends make life better?
What are some qualities you usually see in a great friend?
Which of those qualities would your friends say describes you the best?
Which of those qualities is the hardest for you to show to your friends?
What’s one way we sometimes put ourselves first, instead of our friends?
Why do you think it’s so hard to put our friends first?
What’s one thing you could do this week to love, serve, or put your friends first?

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Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN.

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Mark the Cross of Christ on each others foreheads as a remembrance of your baptism and say these words...

"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."

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