Here is a 20- to 30-minute lesson plan that highlights the following lesson objectives: “Be able to describe the importance and benefits of friendships; identify the variety of relationships that are present in life, and how each friendship affects one’s life,” and “learn how we are responsible to look out for the welfare of one’s friends, and allow them to look out for one’s welfare as well.” (Character Building: Social Skills: Friendship-2a,b)

Watch “Friendship Soup Lesson.”

Talk about the question asked at the end of this clip: “What ingredients have you been putting in your friendship soup?” Also talk about any other ingredients that your child would want to include in their friendship soup and discuss any to leave out or remove that may not be contributing to a strong friendship (such as teasing, hurting someone’s feelings, being dishonest, etc.).

Read “The Wounds of a Friend.”

Discuss how sometimes a part of being a friend means speaking the truth to your friend and being open to hearing them speak the truth to you. Sometimes the truth may make them or you feel uncomfortable, or may even hurt a little, but that type of honesty makes a friendship stronger. Discuss how the aim of that type of honesty is to help a friendship; it should not be used to point out the things you don’t like about your friend.

Read “Humility Helps Friendships.”

Talk about the need for humility in friendship and how honesty and trust can’t work well unless both people are willing to take the lower seat when needed. Try to come up with real examples with your child that help to confirm how humility can help a relationship (even if the relationship wasn’t among their circle of friends).

Read and discuss these Bible verses on “how to treat friends”: Luke 6:31; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 4:29-32; Colossians 3:12-14.

End with discussing one or two “ingredients” your child wants to try putting into action in their friendships in the coming weeks.

Additional reading:

• Watch “How Can You Be a Good Friend?”