A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 26c

Topic: Responsibilities III: Seeking Wise Counsel

Series: Digimon, Smurfs, Garfield And Friends

Episode: Brainy Smurf, Friend To All The Animals (Smurfs), Green Thumbs Down (Garfield And Friends) Davis Cries Wolfmon (Digimon)

Lesson PDF link: 26c.pdf

Introduction

This in a sense is following the theme of the second and third parts of the humility lesson. This lesson session is much more general than those. This one more or less is on seeking help for problems or not thinking you want to be a know-it-all. I show an interesting assortment of cartoons and a clip. I use the Smurfs episode "Brainy Smurf, Friend To All The Animals", The Garfield And Friends episode "Green Thumbs Down" and a clip from the Digimon episode "Davis Cries Wolfmon". This lesson shows different characters not listening to wise counsel in different ways complete with Bible analysis and discussion seeking to help our characters wise up.

Note: We are using the entire cartoon in the form of clips (except beginning theme and end credits) because it's just that good; the show really hits home the point of humbling oneself when in the wrong.

Scriptures Used Include: Proverbs 10: 8; 12: 15; 12: 18; 18: 2, 13; Proverbs 13: 15-16; Proverbs 11: 2; 12: 23; 14: 7-8; 15:22

Today, we are talking about "wise counsel". What does this mean to you? Have you ever not sought advice for a problem, question, want, or something else that you didn't have an answer for? If so, what happened here; on the times when you asked for help; what happened? Chances are better of getting the help that we need if we ask, however there are some situations where bad advice can be given too and trouble still happens. This is not the focus of today; instead it is about the lack of asking and trouble that comes with this. In this lesson, I am going to show a couple of cartoon shorts and a clip. After each of these there will be a little Bible Study. In this case, each little study will consist of perhaps even only a couple of verses. We will discuss how to help each of our main characters out.

Cartoon Short # 1: "Brainy Smurf, Friend To All The Animals":

The Smurfs: "Brainy Smurf, Friend To All The Animals": Direct link for video/webm

Proverbs 10: 8; 12: 15, 18; 18: 2, 13

The Bible States:

Pr 10:8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Pr 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Pr 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Pr 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

Pr 18:13 He who answers before listening' that is his folly and his shame.

What do you think of Brainy here? Why do you think that Brainy didn't ask Natural for help? Is asking for help the only thing that Brainy could have done?

Cartoon Show # 2: "Green Thumbs Down":

Garfield And Friends: "Green Thumbs Down": Direct link for video/webm

The Bible States in Proverbs 13: 15-16:

Pr 13:15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Pr 13:16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.

What could Jon have done to perhaps make his garden better or more successful? I wouldn't want to pay $200 a lettuce leaf or $300 dollars a radish, would you? What things could Jon use to research gardening instead of exposing his folly?

Cartoon Show # 3: "Davis Cries Wolfmon":

Digimon: "Davis Cries Wolfmon": Direct link for video/webm

The Bible States:

Pr 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Pr 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

Pr 14:7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

Pr 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

Why do you think Yolie did what she did? Can you help poor Yolie? What could she have done to not have this disaster happen? What would you do if you had this happen in your classroom?

What have we learned? How can we apply this knowledge and wisdom to our lives? As we have seen, seeking wise counsel is a very good thing. If we should know better than to try something that we know little to nothing about we should ask questions to a person of that kind of knowledge. This is one of the wisest moves a person can do. I am going to leave you with yet another Bible quote that I want you to think about until next time.

The Bible States:

Pr 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.