"A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language" (Subset C)

Sing A Song Of Christians (This Subset Is Marked SOC)

 SOC Index

I Prejudice

 I use the Chip N’ Dale episode Bearing Up Baby.  This lesson is another one of those that can be made an honorary FTK member.  This simple lesson shows in pretty good detail what Jesus talks about when He teaches on judging others when one needs help with his own sins against God.  This is more or less about judging differences and good intentions falsely as evil.  This lesson does not cover false religion or beliefs at all.  This, remember is a life lesson.

Scriptures Used Include:  Matthew 12: 22-37, Luke 6: 37-42

IIA The Azraels Of Life I:  Love My Azraels, Don't You?

We are doing a lesson that talks about loving enemies.  I use the Smurfs episode All Creatures Great And Smurf and the Tom and Jerry episode That’s My Mommy. This lesson gives a command to respect and love the lives of even our worst enemies.  This theme is repeated in the session after this one with a twist.

Scriptures Used Include:  Luke 6: 27-36; Luke 23: 32-49

IIB The Azraels Of Life II:  We Are Not Amused

 We are looking at how deep our love must go for the enemies in our lives.  The basic questions in this lesson are: If your enemy died, would you be happy about it and dance on his/her grave—the other side of this being concerned for family members, friends and the like (praying for them), and having God’s attitude of not wanting spiritual death for this person (remember, God loves everyone); and If you had the possibility to revive your enemy by CPR or by other means, would you try or would you happily let your enemy die and very possibly lose his/her chance for God’s redemption and salvation?  These two questions are questions that need to be asked.  However, this could expose bitterness (as with WWII vets—I’ve had one such experience teaching this lesson).  In such cases, these people would learn that God thinks that life is precious and loves everyone including a Hitler type of person.

Scriptures Used Include:  Ezekiel 18; Jude 17-24

IIIA Habits And Idols I:  Definition Of An Idol

This is about human nature and the slavery that comes with it if it is not dealt with.  I use a Popeye short called “It’s The Natural Thing To Do”.  This helps to define what God wants.  This also helps to illustrate how easy it is to take the cheap and easy way out.  I also use clips from the TaleSpin episode called “Destiny Rides Again”.  This adds to the lesson by explaining how hard it is to break a bad habit and human nature, which are kinds of idols.  When I use the Cartoon Network skit “Chasers Anonymous” I am going to ask “Are You In Denial?”

Scriptures Used Include:  Exodus 20: 2-3; Proverbs 26: 11; I Peter 1: 13-25; Psalms 31; I Peter 3: 8-12; Romans 7: 7-25

IIIB Habits And Idols II:  Addictions Are Idols Too!

I use the second part to illustrate what an idol does using the Smurfs episode “Lure Of The Orb”.  This was an anti-drug statement in the 1980’s and showed the addictive power of drugs.  I plan to define an idol as very much like this and is this.

Scriptures Used Include:  II Corinthians 11: 13-15; I Peter 5: 8-9; II Peter 2

IIIC Habits And Idols III:  Idol Destruction

I portray how to destroy a bad habit of human nature.  This section shows first how not to destroy one of these by using a Tiny Toon Adventures episode called “To Bleep Or Not To Bleep”.  I then portray how God wants us to destroy a bad habit or nature.  I use another clip from the TaleSpin episode “Destiny Rides Again” again to portray giving up an idol to God so he can destroy it.  Will these cartoon characters give their habits and idols to God?  In this section we see they do finally!!

Scriptures Used Include:  Ephesians 6: 10-18a; Psalms 55; Matthew 17: 14-21

IVA The Chlorhydris Files I:  Loss Of Beauty Is No Loss Of Love

 We start in a seven-part series on the Smurfs series’ villain Chlorhydris.  This villain doesn’t want love in the world, so she tries to remove it anyway she can.  We all know that she can’t because God is Love.  God cannot be destroyed.

Now, the first part of this lesson series is an introduction to the Chlorhydris theme and character.  In this lesson, we see that Chlorhydris’ daughter is being affected by her mother’s hatred in such a way that her daughter doesn’t really feel lovable.  I use the Smurfs episode The Tear Of A Smurf.  This has a moderate amount of magic usage (God doesn’t like the magic arts), but the message is clear.  God will try to reach a person with any language He can to save them.  If this daughter were real, even though this daughter is a sorceress, God still will give her good things and through those good things try to wean her away from the magic she uses to the point of knowing that she never needed it to begin with (even if her looks are not as good).  This part of the series introduces God’s theme of True Love Does Conquer All.

Scriptures Used Include:  I John: 4: 7-8, 16; Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8; Luke 11: 11-13;

IVB The Chlorhydris Files II:  Outside The Box

 we are discussing getting outside one’s box of normalcy.  This isn’t so easy for a lot of people and Grouchy Smurf is no exception. 

The story of this lesson’s Smurfs episode A Hug For Grouchy is that Chlorhydris tries to take all of the love out of the world by trying to take out all of the emotions that a lot of the world’s creatures have.  This in itself is no small feat.  However, Chlorhydris doesn’t honor God with her plan. 

This lesson is made to show that even the most unlikely of God’s people (portrayed by Grouchy) can be one of His heroes.  This is more or less a lesson on admirable courage to not let one’s personality affect ministry negatively.

Scriptures Used Include:  I John 4: 7-8; 16.Ecclesiastes 2: 17-26; I Corinthians 14: 20; Luke 17: 6-10; Joshua 24: 15

IVC The Chlorhydris Files III:  How The Chlorhydris Stole Christmas

 We are discussing Christmas again.  However, this one is much different.  This one isn’t about Jesus’ birth, but it is about giving (Chlorhydris’ weakest suit—she doesn’t even have this suit).  On this lesson I did some Internet research on St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) to show in this lesson that he (in his real life) was a giver not a taker.  I contrast St. Nicholas’ life here on earth with Chlorhydris in the Smurfs cartoon special Baby’s First Christmas who is quite the parasite (taking and never giving anything good back).  Chlorhydris is related to the Grinch, but she doesn’t repent like he did in the special that is beloved by many folks.

Scriptures Used Include:  I John 4: 7-8, 16; Proverbs 14: 21, 31; Matthew 6: 1-4; Proverbs 18: 1; Galatians 5: 16-26; James 3: 13-18; Psalms 13

IVD The Chlorhydris Files IV:  Influence Of The Tongue

We are talking about the influence of the tongue.  This is interesting in the fact that we use Laconia and Chlorhydris figuratively as the same entity in the Smurfs episode Stop And Smurf The Roses because I want to show that we as humans are capable of either way.  We then show that the pure love inside Laconia which we need in the Christian walk gets God’s Great Commission done when not one thing that Chlorhydris would do (hateful and hurtful) will ever get God’s Great Commission done.

Scriptures Used Include:  I John 4: 7-8, 16; Proverbs 15: 1-4; Ephesians 5: 1-21; James 3: 1-12; Matthew 28: 18-20

IVE The Chlorhydris Files V:  The Golden Rule In Reverse

 We are talking about the Golden Rule, except in this lesson which is in direct contrast to the Azraels Of Life Parts A and B where we are talking about this passage also, we are talking about the reverse of it which is negative.  I used the Smurfs Episode He Who Smurfs Last for this piece of work.

Scriptures Used Include:  I John 4: 7-8, 16; Proverbs 26: 18-19; Luke 6: 27-36; Proverbs 17: 22; Colossians 3: 8; Psalms 51: 1-17; Matthew 6: 5-15

IVF The Chlorhydris Files VI:  Chlorhydris Can't Steal Our Love, Mirth, And Unity In The Body Of Jesus Christ!!!

We are taking a look at joy and unity in the Body of Christ.  This part is interesting because if we are looking at the order of lessons that God gave to me, we are using a cartoon from the very first lesson made.  I used the Smurfs Episode Can’t Smurf The Music to illustrate this lesson on joy.  This lesson went much more in-depth than its counterpart with some new things added to it as well.  This lesson shows that God is with us in our despair and is with us in our praise.  Laconia helps to act this out (symbolizing God).  Chlorhydris is definitely symbolizing Satan for this lesson.  The Devil will try to steal our music.  This will never work with genuine Christians who keep themselves prayed up.  I believe if even genuine Christians lost this momentarily then God would design someone’s heart to help in this matter (as the next lesson in this set shows).  God gives joy in these trying times.

Scriptures Used Include:  I John 7-8, 16; Psalms 27; Matthew 10: 17-31;

I Corinthians 12; Matthew 18: 18-20

IVG The Chlorhydris Files VII:  This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made

We are also talking about unity and rejoicing, but this time it is different because in this lesson our characters in the Smurfs episode The Root Of Evil forget what side they are on.  We discuss how God will design leaders in the face of such adversity to command His own.  Through this last part of the Chlorhydris study, the theme that runs through it is this:  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it… Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever.

Scriptures Used Include:  I John 4: 7-8, 16; Psalms 118: 17-24; Matthew 21: 33-46; Galatians 5: 1-15; I Corinthians 14: 20; Proverbs 16:4; Psalms 118: 1-16, 25-29

As Christians, we must remember Psalms 118, which is the crux of the last part of this lesson set on Chlorhydris.

VA Obedience VS. Disobedience I:  The Fruit Of Laboring in Jesus Christ

We are talking about the good side of this lesson; which is obedience.  We are looking at a Smurfs episode called Smurfs At Sea to illustrate this lesson.  We are looking at two characters in general who are Smurfette and Dreamy who are feeling compelled or led to try things that are different.  At first, they are unsuccessful, and they are discouraged.  This part of the lesson is geared to show God’s hidden plans for His saints and the blessings of obedience to His will.

Scriptures Used Include:  Romans 12: 1-2;

I Peter 4: 12-19, James 1: 2-8; Mark 4: 26-29; John 10: 1-21

VB Obedience VS. Disobedience II:  Looking For Canaan Land In Vain

We are discussing the bad side of this issue or disobedience.  For this part of the lesson set, we are using an episode of Pinky & The Brain called Brain’s Way to illustrate this part of the lesson.  This lesson shows a contrast to the Beatitudes in the character named Brain.  We take a look at an Israelite rebellion costing them Canaan Land and comparing the Christian experience as going after the Promised Land with our Christian walk and then inheriting it.

Scriptures Used Include:  Numbers 14: 1-45; Matthew 5: 1-11; Nehemiah 5: 1-19

VI When Your World Falls Apart

We are discussing faith and prayer in times of trouble or sorrow.  I use an episode from the Voltron (1980's Japanese Anime) episode Pidge's World Crumbles.  We discuss the righteous ones being heard and their reward for being faithful and the unrighteous ones not being heard and their impending doom if they don't repent.  We discuss citizenship in the kingdom of Heaven mostly, but there is of course the other side of the coin.  Mostly as stated, we are staying with the righteous side of things.

Scriptures Include:  Psalms Chapters 34; Psalms 46; Ephesians 2: 11-22; Philippians 3: 12--4: 1 

VII Holy Purity

In this lesson, we are talking about the subject of Holy Purity in Christians.  We discuss how to witness with grace but with conviction and why people hate this purity and the Divine Code.  I use the Garfield and Friends episode Clean Sweep.

Scriptures Include:  Matthew 7: 13-14; Isaiah 40: 9-31; II  Peter 2: 1-3; I Thessalonians 4: 1-12; Luke 11: 37-54 (If Interested See Parallel In Matthew 23—Whole Chapter)

VIII Wisdom

The obvious theme here is wisdom.  In this lesson we discuss what true wisdom is and how to get it.  We use King Solomon as an example.  He asked for wisdom and got it (along with everything else one could just about desire with it because of this unselfish prayer).  We use the Smurfs episode Symbols Of Wisdom for a serious comparison/contrast lesson.

Scriptures Include:  I Kings 3: 1-15, Proverbs 1; 3-4; 8-9 (5 and 1/2 chapters of Bible--because the Proverbs scriptures are one big piece of literature and cannot be separated)  

IX Worship The Lord Thy God Under Penalty Of Imprisonment Or Death

This lesson equates Brainy Smurf to the attitude of King  Nebuchadnezzar.  I am using the episode of the Smurfs Called King Smurf.   Brainy isn't a good leader and tries to bully his way into popularity and respect.  He wants the Smurfs to bow to him as king or else.

Scriptures Include:  Daniel 3, Philippians 2: 12-18, II Timothy 3:10--4:8