Sibling Relationships

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this lesson is to build on the past 3 lessons, culminating in the importance of forming positive and thoughtful relationships between friends and family. The focus will be on sibling relationships and how to develop strong and loving bonds between brothers and sisters. For those children who do not have siblings, this relationship can directly relate to other relationships in their lives, for example cousins and close friends. This lesson will contrast different sibling relationships in the Bible, drawing out the key components of what creates a good relationship. The goal is to encourage the children to respond with grace and love to their brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends when they feel wronged or frustrated and to form a habit of treating each other with kindness and forgiveness.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

If you could choose one board game to play for the rest of your life, what would that be? How much fun would those games be if you didn't have anybody to play them with? Many of you have siblings, cousins, and close friends who you see all the time and that makes you lucky enough to have a playmate to enjoy these games with

But, many of you know that sometimes siblings, cousins, and friends have moments of rivalry. What is sibling rivalry? It is the jealousy, competition, and fighting felt between brothers and sisters. I can remember moments of fighting with my siblings when we were young, but the reasons why we fought are long forgotten, and today, I have a great relationship with my siblings. (Servant can speak to his/her own experience). The Bible is filled with stories about sibling relationships, some of which involve anger and jealousy and others that are full of love and admiration. Remember last week we discussed the relationship between Cain and Abel? What type of relationship did they have? In this week's lesson, we will focus on the importance of having a loving and harmonious relationship with our siblings, cousins, and close friends because they are a gift from God that we should treasure.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Cain and Abel: Genesis 4:1-18

Joseph and His Brothers: Genesis 37-45

Simon Peter and Andrew: John 1:40-42

Moses and Aaron: Exodus 4:14-16, Exodus 7:1-2

Memory Verse "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

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CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 20 Minutes

Have you ever wanted something your sibling, cousin, or close friend had, for example, a talent (i.e. athletic ability), one of their physical features (i.e their height), or even one of their possessions (i.e. a toy)?

God made families and He made each person in the family different, giving each one special talents and characteristics. We should be happy for our differences and not wish we had someone else's. What talent has God given you?

Ask the children to name significant sibling figures in the Bible and what they know about each relationship. Write on a white board (or type on a shared screen if virtual) the different sibling relationships split into columns, highlighting the key words and features that make them different in each column as discussed throughout the lesson. Discuss each relationship and point out the positive and negative aspects.

Cain and Abel:

They were the first brothers in the Bible and they had different talents.
When Cain did not win God's approval, he immediately blamed his brother, even though he did nothing wrong. When we are upset, it can be easy to lash out to those closest to us. But, we need to stop blaming others and direct our hearts back to God. We need to learn how to be happy for others, even when we don't win or get what we want.
Cain was angry and jealous of his brother. God saw his anger and tried to talk to him. He did not ignore his pain and was there to help him, but Cain's anger sealed off his heart. When we are upset, we should go to God in prayer and ask for His guidance and protection.
Cain killed his brother, but the issue Cain had was not with his brother. When his offering was not accepted, his pride was hurt. He should have tried again with God instead of acting out in anger.
Cain and Abel should have been lifelong brothers and friends, but all of that was destroyed by anger. If Cain had listened to God, he would still have a brother and his family. Abel was a gift of a friend that God gave to Cain, but Cain saw him as a rival for God's love.

Joseph and His Brothers:

Joseph was Jacob's favored son and he made him a robe of many colors. When his brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than all his brothers, they were jealous of him and hated him.
What made it even worse was that Joseph shared his dreams about them bowing to him, which made them hate him even more.
Joseph's brothers plotted to kill him, but instead decided to throw him in a well.
They sold Joseph to a caravan of traders, and he was taken to Egypt and sold as a slave to Potiphar, the pharaoh's official. His brother's lied to their father and they led him to believe he was dead.
Joseph suffered many trials, including being unfairly accused and thrown in prison for many years, but he did not show anger toward his brothers. God continually protects him. He eventually becomes the governor over all of Egypt and God puts Joseph in a position to be able to punish his brothers or to bless his brothers. After all that suffering Joseph went through, he chose to bless and forgive his brothers. He decided to seek reconciliation and healing. He took care of his family and protected them during the famine.

Simon Peter and Andrew:

When Andrew first meets Jesus, the first thing he does is find his brother Peter to tell him the exciting news, saying "We have found the Messiah," then he brings him to Jesus. The fact that the first person Andrew wants to tell is Peter shows his brotherly love.
Andrew did not seem jealous of his brother. Peter, along with James and John, received extra time and training with Jesus, and even built a special bond with Jesus. Peter plays a major role in the gospels, as we all know, while Andrew is more of a minor figure. But as Andrew was the disciple who spent time with John the Baptist, he may have learned this lesson from him that, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), teaching us not to be envious of our brother.

Moses and Aaron:

When God calls Moses from the burning bush, Moses protests that he cannot speak well. So God sends Aaron, who is gifted in speaking, to help Moses and tells Moses, "When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart." Aaron obeyed God and went to help his brother.
Even though Aaron was the older brother, God chose Moses to be exalted to a place of leadership and chose Aaron to be the assistant. Aaron did not resent his brother for being that chosen one.
Moses appreciated his brother's help. Together they faced Pharaoh and brought the 10 plagues on Egypt that led the Israelites out of Egypt. God spoke to Moses, Moses spoke to Aaron, and Aaron presented the messages to the people. God used them both to bring His people toward the Promised Land.
We learn from their relationship that God knows our hearts and our abilities and puts us in positions that are right for us. Aaron had to humble himself to accept God's choice and Moses had to accept the help. By working together, the brothers accomplished so much more than doing it alone. Their cooperation helped the nation of Israel survive a difficult and challenging time.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Have you been feeling jealous of your brother/sister/cousin/close friend lately? If so, why?
How do you think you can feel less jealous?
If your sibling, cousin, or close friend went away for a week, what would you miss most about him/her?
If your sibling, cousin, or close friend was an ice cream cone, what flavor would he/she be and why?
Pretend you and your sibling, cousin, or close friend were a team of superheroes and that you had to work together to save the world. What powers would each of you have and how would you work together to save the day?
Name 3 talents or qualities you appreciate about your sibling, cousin, or close friend.

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

Ask the children to create "compliment cards" to cultivate the habit of saying kind and loving words to their sibling, cousin, or close friend. These cards with prompts on them can help them think in a Christ-centered way about these relationships.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Ask the children to create a Venn Diagram that compares and contrasts qualities that they have with the qualities of a sibling, cousin, or friend. They can do as many as they like, but it should focus on identifying the talents and gifts God gives each of us and how we should be happy that others have these gifts. Ask the children to share with the class if there is time. Servants may use the link below or the attached documents found at the end of the lesson.

Venn Diagram

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

At family dinner this week, go around the table and have each family member name 1 talent/gift that God has given them that makes them special. Now go around again, but this time name 1 talent/gift of the person to your right.

Play a board game together and point out one quality someone else has that makes them good at the game.