READ: Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24

DISCUSS: Jesus told a story about a man who invited his friends and family to a party banquet, but not many accepted the invitation. The man then invited strangers, showing how God invites everyone to be a part of His family through forgiveness and relationship with Jesus.

WATCH: God Welcomes Us

SIMPLE TRUTH: I Am Made For Community

LEARN: "Encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

PRAY: God, thank you for welcoming us. You love us so much that you sent Jesus to make the way for us to have a relationship with you. You make this invitation to love and follow You available for everyone. You welcome all of us so we can follow you together in community. Help us to always remember that you love and welcome us, and help us share your welcoming invitation with others. Amen

READ: Acts 9:26-31; 13:42-52

DISCUSS: The book of Acts talks about two friends named Saul and Barnabas. Saul persecuted Christians before he started following Jesus, which led to many Christians being afraid of him. But Barnabas believed that Saul's life had been changed by Jesus, and he partnered with Saul (later called Paul) to tell people in many places about Jesus!

WATCH: God Connects Heart

SIMPLE TRUTH: I Am Made For Community

LEARN: "Encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

PRAY: God, thank you for the time we spent together huddling up and hearing about the way you love us, even when we make wrong choices. Thank you for the example of Saul and Barnabas and how they shared your good news with everyone. Help us to follow the example of Saul and Barnabas. Help us to be a community who loves and follows you. Amen.

READ: Luke 15:1-10

DISCUSS: Jesus responded to the Pharisees (religious leaders) who were upset because Jesus was welcoming sinners and eating with them. Jesus told them stories about people who searched for something lost until it was found and then celebrated its return.

WATCH: God Values Us

SIMPLE TRUTH: I Am Made For Community

LEARN: "Encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

PRAY: God, thank you that you value us. Even though we sin and disobey, you still love and value us. Help each of us leave today feeling encouraged knowing that you rejoice when we turn from our sin to obeying you. Help us share your good news with others. Amen.

READ: Ruth 1-4

DISCUSS: Ruth was a woman who, after her husband died, followed her mother-in-law Naomi to the land of Israel. Though Ruth was an outsider, she was welcomed in and included by Naomi's people-including finding a new husband, Boaz.

WATCH: God Includes Us

SIMPLE TRUTH: I Am Made For Community

LEARN: "Encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

PRAY: God, thank you for including us in your family. Your love is so amazing! Thank you for sending Jesus to make the way for us to have a forever relationship with you and others who love and follow You. Help us to share your love with others so they can know that you want to include them in your family too. Thank you for giving all of us a community where we can know we belong. Amen.

READ: 1 Samuel 18:1-11; 19:1-7; 20:1-42

DISCUSS: Two men named David and Jonathan were best friends, even though Jonathan's father (King Saul) did not like David. Jonathan remained a loyal friend to David. Jonathan and David's friendship reminds us that God gives us friends to help and encourage one another.

WATCH: God Leads Me to Friends

SIMPLE TRUTH: I Am Made For Community

LEARN: "Encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

PRAY: God, thank you for leading us to friends. I pray that You lead each of us to friends that will help us know you more and love you more. Thank you for being the best friend we could ever have—a friend who gave up your life so that we might have life. You are good, and we love you. Amen.

READ: Luke 14:15-24

DISCUSS: Saul and Barnabas were two unlikely men who became friends. Barnabas welcomed Saul and helped connect him to other people who believed in Jesus.

WATCH: God Welcomes Us

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Gives Me Friends

LEARN: "Encourage one another." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

PRAY: God, thank you for giving us friends. Thank you for welcoming us all to have a friendship with you when we say yes to the invitation. Help us welcome our friends the way you welcome us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

READ: Acts 9:26-31; 13:42-52

DISCUSS: God connects us and gives us friends. He invites us all into a friendship with Him when we choose to follow Jesus.

WATCH: God Connects Us

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Gives Me Friends

LEARN: "Encourage one another." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

PRAY: God, thank you for the true story in the Bible about how Barnabas helped connect Saul to other people who believed in you. Thank you for connecting us to friends and for inviting all of us into a friendship when we choose to follow you. Amen.

READ: Luke 15:1-10

DISCUSS: In this week's Bible Story, Jesus told two stories about valuable, special things that were lost. When they were found, the people celebrated with excitement.

WATCH: God Values Us

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Gives Me Friends

LEARN: "Encourage one another." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

PRAY: God, thank you for true stories in the Bible that help us see that you value us. When we turn to you and ask for your forgiveness, we can have a friendship with you. Thank you for sending Jesus to make that possible. Amen.

READ: Ruth 1- 4

DISCUSS: Ruth was an outsider, but Naomi included her in her family. Because Naomi included Ruth in her family, Ruth learned to follow God too.

WATCH: God Includes Us

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Gives Me Friends

LEARN: "Encourage one another." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

PRAY: God, thank you for including us. Thank you for inviting us to be part of your family and to have a friendship with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

READ: 1 Samuel 18:1-11; 19:1-7; 20:1-42

DISCUSS: David and Jonathan were friends, but Jonathan's dad, King Saul, did not like David. Even still, Jonathan remained a loyal friend to David. They helped and encouraged each other.

WATCH: God Leads Me To Friends

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Gives Me Friends

LEARN: "Encourage one another." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

PRAY: God, thank you for leading us to friends. We are so happy to have friends to play together with and spend time with at church. In Jesus’ name, amen.