Teaching Time

Note: you may substitute a higher ply yarn and adjust the presentation accordingly.

Cut a one-foot length of yarn. Gently and slowly separate or untwist the yarn into three separate strands. Don’t pull hard on a strand; go back and forth between the three strands to loosen.

For the remaining two-foot piece of yarn, carefully untwist one end of the yarn only about three inches back from the end so the three individual strands are visible.

In the Bible story, why didn’t King Saul want David to be king? Because his son Jonathan should have been king.

King Saul was angry and jealous of David because everyone cheered and celebrated each time when David came home from defeating the enemies of God’s people.

Even though King Saul did not want David to be king, Jonathan was not jealous of David. He chose to be a good friend and help David because he knew God had chosen David to be the next king.

David was very thankful to Jonathan for helping to keep him safe. So after Jonathan died, David took care of Jonathan’s family. The two men show us what true friendship looks like.

The Bible tells us about how good it is to have a friend. Two people can help and protect each other. Just like Jonathan and David did. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11)

The Bible also says: “Three (people) are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) Another Bible version (CEV) puts it this way: “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

Hold up the two-foot long piece of yarn. Let’s say this is a triple-braided cord like in the Bible verse.

Do you know how many a triple is? Three.

Hold up the separated end. Do you see the three parts of the cord? Children respond.

Hold up 1 of the strands from the one-foot length of yarn that was previously separated. This is one part of a triple braided cord. Raise your hand if you think you can break this. Children respond.

Choose two volunteers to hold each end and pull the strand until it breaks. It will break easily.

Wow, that one by itself wasn’t very strong! Repeat for the other two strands with more volunteers.

All of you must be really strong! Each piece of the cord broke easily!

Hold up the two-foot length of yarn. Do you remember what the Bible verse said about a triple-braided cord—a cord with three strands? It isn’t easily broken.

Let’s try it! Grip the cord of yarn at each end, making sure you grip the yarn in front of the separated strands at that end.

Help me count to three and then I will pull as hard as I can. One, two, three!

Pull on the yarn, make exaggerated funny expressions as you pull. The yarn should not break.

Optional: after you have pulled the cord, choose pairs of children to try.

Wow, everything the Bible says is true! A triple braided cord is so strong it cannot be broken!

Hold up one strand of the separated end of the yarn. This piece is like someone who is alone.

Place another strand next to the first strand. This piece is like a friend. Two are better than one. Together they are stronger and can help one another.

Place the last strand by the other two strands. This piece can be Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is our friend. He is the best friend we can have and He will never leave us.

God was part of David and Jonathan’s friendship. It was so strong it couldn’t be broken.

Pull on the cord of yarn. When Jesus is part of a friendship, it can’t be broken!