Give each person a helium balloon and a marker.
Have each person contemplate those in their lives who have impacted them for the good.
Have each person write the names of those people on the balloon and one thing that made each person special. For example: Sue: Inspired me. Tell them that if lots of people come to mind they can have another balloon! Be ready for each person to have at least 2 balloons.
Take a few minutes to let the group share who they wrote on their balloons.
After everyone has shared, say to your group, "We should celebrate our friendships and how those particular people have impacted our lives. They are a gift from God. Did you notice that all the things they have done for us, like love us and inspire us, are things that God also does for us? Let's look at God's attributes and how He treats us."
Have someone read Psalm 103:1-18.
Say something like, "Tonight we are going to let our balloons go in celebration and thanksgiving for the earthly friendships that God has given us and for the friendship we have with Jesus."
Let the balloons go and then pray a prayer of thanksgiving for those who have been our friends… especially God, who has loved us with an everlasting love. If you would like, have everyone say a prayer of thanks to God for one of the people they wrote on their balloon.
