Session 6: Residence
Suggested Week of Use: October 6, 2019
Core Passages: Ephesians 3:14-21
News Story Summary
A brightly colored bench in the playground of Kingston Elementary School provides an opportunity for kids to make friends with one another at recess. As the school year begins, teachers are using what is called a Buddy Bench to prevent kids from just walking around by themselves. The idea is that a child sits on the bench and waits for another child to join him or her. The two then became play partners that day. Many of the benches are imprinted with a popular quote from the movie Toy Story, “You’ve got a friend in me.”
(For more on this story, search the Internet using the phrase “buddy bench at Kingston elementary.”)
Focus Attention
To supplement the Explain idea under Focus Attention, share the news story summary following the reading of the sentence, “That’s because camaraderie is woven into our souls by God who created us for community and interpersonal relationships.” Explain that God has created us for relationships, but sometimes friendships don’t come easy, even at the elementary school level. Ask: Why do you think it’s difficult for us, even children, to make friends today? Why do you think the Buddy Bench helps? Complete the step as written.
Challenge
To supplement the Summarize idea under Summarize and Challenge, call for a volunteer to summarize Ephesians 3:17. Remind the group of the news story summary. Explain that the Buddy Bench is a response to kids who potentially felt shut out because they did not have a friend with whom to play. Ask: How does Christ who dwells in us through the Spirit prevents us from feeling shut out? Ask: What can we do to develop our relationship with Christ? Complete the step as written.