Ask: would you rather have 100 friends who hang round with you because you're cool, or 4 close mates who hang round with you because they think you give good advice? Why? Discuss.

Give each of your group paper and pens. Ask them to draw 4 circles (getting smaller like a dart board). In the centre they write their name. In the next circle, they should write the names of friends who are closest to them. In the next, write the names of those who are acquaintances, class mates etc, and in the last circle write the people who they hardly/never speak to any more, due to situation, change of circumstances, distance or a falling out. Ask the group to pray for the people on their lists: thank you God for those who are closest to me, motivate me to impact the distant people in a more positive way.

Get your group to think of three people (friends, relatives) who need prayers. Ask them to draw or write their prayer then stick it up on their bedroom wall. Suggest that they pray for these three people during the next week.

Suggest they write a 'letter of encouragement' either to one particular friend or the three friends noted above. They can decide whether or not to send the letter but this may encourage them to love this friend more effectively over the next week.