Session 3 – Carlo & Friendship

Looking at bullying, inclusion and loyalty through the way Carlo treated his classmates and those on the margins.

60 minutes • Youth group / classFocus: kindness, courage, mercy in friendship

Session overview

Carlo didn’t only pray well; he loved people well. He defended bullied classmates, visited friends going through parents’ divorces, and treated everyone with respect. This session helps teens connect holiness with the way they handle friendship drama, group chats and school corridors.

Scripture

John 15:12–15 – “I have called you friends…”

Suggested 60 minute outline

1. “Friendship pressures” brainstorm (10 minutes)

  • On a board, ask: “What’s hard about friendship in our world?” (group chats, FOMO, gossip, ghosting, etc.)
  • Let them name realities without fixing everything yet.

2. Scripture & Carlo stories (15 minutes)

  • Read John 15:12–15 (Jesus calling us friends).
  • Share 2–3 short Carlo stories:
    • Defending a bullied classmate.
    • Including a friend whose parents were divorcing.
    • Being kind to school staff and those ignored by others.

3. Small group sharing (20 minutes)

  • In groups, invite (optional) sharing on real experiences of good or painful friendships.
  • Use the questions below. Emphasise confidentiality and respect.

4. Concrete commitment (10 minutes)

  • Ask: “Who is one person you feel called to treat differently this week?”
  • Give them 2 minutes of silence to choose and plan one small action (message, invitation, apology, defence).

5. Prayer for friends (5 minutes)

  • In silence, ask them to picture a friend who is struggling.
  • Pray aloud: “Jesus, we place these friends into Your Heart. Saint Carlo, pray for them.”

Discussion questions

  • What’s one thing you appreciate most in a real friend?
  • When have you seen someone act like Carlo – stepping in for someone excluded or hurt?
  • Have you ever been the person on the outside? What helped?
  • Where do you feel challenged by Carlo’s way of treating people?
  • Is there a situation right now (online or offline) where you feel God nudging you to act differently?