Friendship Role-Play Activity

Purpose: To help children understand that God is always near and loves to hear from them, just like a best friend or a loving parent.

Set up: Gather the children in a circle or have them sit comfortably. Explain that they’re going to pretend to talk to a friend, and then learn how they can speak to God in the same way.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Warm-Up Question: “What do you talk about with your best friend?”

Let children share things like toys, feelings, fun plans, or worries.

2. Role-Play Partnering: Pair children up or have them talk with you. One child plays “the friend,” and the other shares something simple:

• “I had fun at recess today.”

• “I felt sad when my toy broke.”

• “I hope we have pancakes tomorrow!”

3. Switch to Prayer Mode:

Now say: “Let’s pretend we’re talking to God instead. He’s our friend too!”

Invite them to say the same thing, but as a prayer:

• “God, thank You for recess today.”

• “God, I felt sad when my toy broke. Please help me feel better.”

• “God, I hope we have pancakes tomorrow!”

4. Encourage Expression: Let them know they can whisper, speak out loud, or even draw their prayer if they prefer.

5. Wrap-Up Thought: Say, “God loves hearing from you. You can talk to him like a friend.