Object: Symbol of James (a blue shield with 3 escallop shells)

We are discovering some of the good friends Jesus had when he lived here on earth. Friends are really important to all of us and they were to Jesus, too. Last week we talked to you about Philip and how he sat down on a grassy slope one day with Jesus to talk and ended up that day helping to feed 5,000 people with bread and fish. Today I want to tell you about another brother, a real close friend named James.

James had a brother named John and they, along with a man called Peter, were three of Jesus' closest friends. James thought that Jesus was just terrific and that someday he would be a real king. James was willing to do anything to show Jesus how much he cared for and loved him. Jesus trusted his friend James and included …