In Mark 2:3-12 we have a beautiful story of true friendship and the awesome power of God through Jesus His Son as He honours the faith of these friends and paralytic.

Read this story to your toddler from a child friendly bible story book. After you have read it to them talk about any friends they have. Talk about what good friends this man had who were prepared to get him as close to Jesus with as much self sacrifice as they showed.

Learning to be a good friend is a long term character trait, but even if your toddler doesn’t have many friends they can learn these same things within the family.
Basic rules for friendship and family relations are summed up in the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

As you exhibit these characteristics to your child, so they will learn them. When there are times of conflict in relationships like with toddlers who don’t want to share their toys or get upset when a child gets in their space, this is not really the time to try and reason with the toddler.

But you can train them proactively about sharing (kindness), waiting their turn (patience), not hitting (gentleness), tantrums (self-control) etc.

Encourage your toddler to be kind to others with these bible friendship activities:
(Guidelines 1-1-All ages)

Card making

You will need: various colours of cardstock, glue, stickers, stamps, stamp pages, fancy scissors.

Pre-cut your cardstock into half fold cards. Layout the decorative items for your little one. Let them stamp and stick and cut and decorate their cards. When they are done ask them who the card is for and ask them what they would like to say to that person. Hand deliver it or mail it to the friends or family members they choose.

Sharing

Bake some cookies together. If baking is not your forte then choose premixed cookie dough. When they are cool, decorate them as you wish and then put them into bags. Invite some friends over and send them home later with a pack or take some to a neighbour.

Giving

Spend sometime with your toddler going through their old clothes and toys. Place items that are still usable but no longer needed in a big box. Discuss with your toddler the importance of giving to those less fortunate that they are. Find a suitable charity to donate the items too. We have given things to children’s hospitals, missions’ shops and homeless shelters for moms and children.

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