A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 10
Topic: Bad Days
Series: Superbook, Batman The Animated Series, and Animaniacs
Episodes: "The Patience of Job" (Superbook), "Joker's Favor" (Batman The Animated Series), "Can't Buy a Thrill" (Animaniacs)
Lesson PDF link: 10.pdf
Introduction
This interesting lesson is about Job. We use a series called Superbook. The Superbook episode for this lesson is "The Patience Of Job". This is a beautiful series that actually explores the Bible. I use these when I am covering a lot of material and need to give a condensed account of the scripture material. This covers multiple chapters in about 23 or so min. Whenever I use one of these, I always use secular cartoon work(s) as well. This time I use a clip from Batman The Animated Series called "Joker's Favor" and the Animaniacs short called "Can't Buy A Thrill". These secular works show contrasting styles on how to handle bad times. One of them is good and the other one is pretty bad.
Scriptures used include Job chapters 1-3; 6: 1-4; 10: 1-2; 38 (paraphrased); 40: 1-2; and 42: 1-3, 12-13, 16.
Have you ever had a bad day? What is your definition of a bad day? Think of a bad day that you have had or think up a bad day that you think could happen. What happened to make it bad? What was your reaction to the day that you thought of? If it hasn't happened and it's from your imagination, how would you react?
Bible Story: This story is out of the book of Job in the Bible. Job had one of the worst times imaginable. It lasted days.
I will show a cartoon out of the Superbook series and we will have a discussion. This is our Bible Story and I want you to pay special attention to it!! This Covers the book of Job chapters I, II, III, VI: 1-4, X: 1-2, XXXVIII (paraphrased), XL: 1-2, XLII: 1-3, 12-13, 16
Superbook episode: "The Patience of Job":
As Superbook says we will all have good days and bad days. What God wants for us to do is praise him in good days and have patience and a good attitude in the bad days. Pray for this as well to praise Him. Bad days can be huge witnesses to people whom need the faith boost.
Cartoon Show: To start this discussion off with a bang we will show a clip of Batman The Animated Series that comes from a clip of the episode "Joker's Favor":
Did Charles have a good or bad attitude with his bad day? What consequences does Charles suffer? What could he have done to avoid this lousy situation? Charles got into an even bigger mess because he lost his temper. He cussed out the Joker and provoked him to mess with his head. The Joker probably won't forget the incident and Charlie is afraid. What do you think will happen next?
The Joker, being who he is, started harassing Charles's family and eventually the dastardly favor takes place. The Joker wants to go to a fancy policeman's award dinner to gas the cops and blow up the commissioner. Charles's bad attitude of the past makes a bad situation worse.
Cartoon Show II: I will show a different situation. Animaniacs episode "Can't Buy a Thrill":
Overall, do you think the zoologist has a good or a bad attitude? How does she handle her bad day? Does everything work out? How does she show patience like Job?
She keeps plugging away at her job doing the best she can, even though she questions herself being in the right line of work. Job questioned God but he never really drifted from the truth; that he was a great servant. When you have a bad day, you more often than not will feel pretty lousy. However, you need to pray for a good attitude and to see the good even in bad situations. Don't be like Charles and get mad at the world or at life. This isn't worth it. Getting mad at the world, life, or God won't solve much. In fact, it probably will make things worse. I know that this is hard to do, but it is sound advice to anyone. Pray for endurance, patience, and mostly joy in even bad situations. Bad days won't last forever. They are only for a season. God richly blesses a great attitude!!!
How can you have a great attitude this week?