Big Feelings: Taking Them to God · Lesson 6
Big Feelings: Loneliness
2 Timothy 4:9-22; Acts 15:36-40; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Hebrews 13:5 New Testament PrincipleFriendship
Near the end of his life, Paul was in a cold prison in Rome. Many friends had gone away. He wrote to Timothy, "Come quickly! Only Luke is with me. Bring my cloak. And bring Mark." Long before, Paul and Mark had split up. Now Paul wanted him back. Paul wrote, "Everyone deserted me. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me." Loneliness is a big feeling we can take to God. He is always with us, and He made us for friendship, so we reach out to others too.
God made us for friendship with Him and with each other. When we feel lonely, the Lord stands by us, and He helps us reach out to others and be a friend.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.”
2 Timothy 4:17 BSB
Christ Connection · The gospel
Paul was deserted, but the Lord stood by him. Jesus knew loneliness even more deeply. When He was arrested, "all the disciples deserted Him and fled" (Mark 14:50). On the cross He cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34). Jesus was forsaken so that we never will be. Now He says, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5), and "I have called you friends" (John 15:15).
Mark 14:50; Mark 15:34; Hebrews 13:5; John 15:15
The Big Story · Redemption
As the gospel spread, God stood by His servants even when people left them, and He built a family of friends who belong to Jesus, who was forsaken so we never will be.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 50-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Bring my cloak
- Theo’s Workshop (build challenge): A cord of three strands
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Friend chain
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God is with me, always.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Want to play?, Color the friends
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Paul was in jail in Rome, and many friends had gone away. He wrote to Timothy, "Come quickly! Only Luke is with me. Bring my coat. And bring Mark." Paul said, "Everyone left me. But the Lord stood by me and made me strong." Loneliness is a big feeling we can take to God. He is always with us, and He helps us make friends and be a friend.
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever felt left out or all alone?" Let kids share. Say, "Today's big feeling is loneliness. Even a great man of God felt it."
Bible story 6 min
Paul told people about Jesus in many places. But now Paul was old. He was in jail in Rome. Some friends had left him. Others had gone far away.
Paul wrote a letter to his young friend Timothy. "Please come soon! Only Luke is with me."
"Bring Mark with you. He helps me a lot." Long ago, Paul and Mark had a big fight. They went different ways. But now Paul wanted Mark back!
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Find a friend 8 min
- Kids walk around the room. Call out "Find a friend!" Each child links arms with someone. Make sure no one is left out. Then call "Find a new friend!" and repeat.
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3rd – 4th grade
In his last letter, written from a cold Roman prison, Paul admitted that friends had left him. "Come quickly. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him." Years earlier, Paul and Mark had split over a sharp disagreement, but now Paul wanted him back. "Everyone deserted me. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me." Loneliness is a big feeling we can bring to God. He stands by us, and He made us for friendship, so we reach out, mend friendships and include others.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Made for friendship, Friendship plan
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Paul's final letter ends with something surprising, a great apostle admitting he's lonely. Chained in Rome, deserted by some friends and separated from others, he begs Timothy to come before winter, to bring his cloak and scrolls and to bring Mark, the young man he once refused to work with. "Everyone deserted me. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me." Loneliness isn't weakness. God made us for friendship with Him and with His people. Jesus was forsaken so we never will be, and He calls us to reach out and build real friendships.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Alone, but not forsaken, My cord of three
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, with friends, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Friendship
The same principle in other Bible stories.
With Building BricksThe Friends Who Opened the RoofMark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26; Galatians 6:2Four friends couldn't get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, so they opened the roof and lowered him down. Jesus forgave his sins and then healed him. Real friends carry each other to Jesus, because Jesus carries our biggest burden.New TestamentFriendship
Kings and ProphetsDavid and Jonathan1 Samuel 18:1-4; 1 Samuel 19:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:1-42Jonathan, the king's son, became David's loyal friend, gave up his own claim to the throne, and protected David from King Saul, pointing to Jesus, the Friend who laid down His life for us.Old TestamentFriendship
Seeing God's WorldReal Friends in a Screen WorldDaniel 3:1-30; Daniel 2:17-18; Hebrews 10:24-25When King Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone to bow to a giant gold statue, three friends stood together and trusted God. God was with them in the fiery furnace and brought them out without even the smell of smoke. Real friends help each other stand for God, and screens can't replace them.Old TestamentFriendship
Priscilla and Aquila: Friends Who HelpedActs 18:1-4, 18-28; Romans 16:3-5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; John 15:13-15When Paul came to Corinth, he met Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife who had been forced to leave Rome. They were tentmakers, just like Paul, so he stayed and worked with them, and they became close friends. Later they sailed with Paul to Ephesus. There they heard a gifted teacher named Apollos, who didn't yet know the whole story about Jesus. They took him aside and kindly explained the way of God more accurately, and Apollos became a great help to the believers. Friendship means loving others at all times and helping them grow, because Jesus calls us His friends.New TestamentFriendship