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A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 22g

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

Series: Smurfs

Episode: The Root Of Evil

Lesson PDF link: 22g.pdf

Introduction

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

Remember Our Bible Point: Do you remember our Bible point for this Chlorhydris theme? I John 4: 7-8, 16.

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

This is the last study on Chlorhydris. To end this lesson set, we are talking about the difference between Chlorhydris and Christians. We are discussing backbiting vs. rejoicing. This appears and is obvious, however, this will give a strong refresher to those who need to do more of the latter.

Before we get to our cartoon, what have we learned besides our Bible Point so far? And now the Smurfs episode "The Root Of Evil".

Cartoon Show: Smurfs: "The Root Of Evil":

Smurfs: "The Root of Evil" Direct link for video/webm

Bible Study I: Before we get to our study, what are your thoughts on the character named Laconia?

We are in the book of Psalms and will be looking at the whole of chapter 118. However, we are going to take this a piece at a time. We will actually start in the middle of this chapter to start this study. We will look at other scriptures that back this psalm up. Lets read Psalms 118: 17-24 and to back it up let's read Matthew 21: 33-46. As Christians, shouldn't we know that "This is the day that the Lord has made?" Shouldn't we as Christians "Rejoice and be glad in it"?

For this lesson, all of the characters of this show who turned evil because of Chlorhydris's Root Of Evil symbolize Christians who forget this fact of why we rejoice and start fighting. Why do you suppose that Christians can become this way sometimes and forget which side they're on?

The seeds of discord are everywhere because, of course, the Devil (symbolized by Chlorhydris) will try to bury these kinds of thoughts in us deep. How can we get back the freedom of being in Jesus Christ if we are victim of this?

Bible Study II

We must realize what the Bible says about the above thoughts of getting back the freedom in Jesus Christ. Let's read Galatians 5: 1-15 and I Corinthians 14: 20 (in this order). What do you see in the cartoon that links with these scriptures and using the cartoon what does this mean to you?

In the cartoon we see Baby Smurf is the cure. He turns Papa Smurf good again. Baby never turned evil (completely innocent). Furthermore, Baby has command over this evil root. Baby is our God/Jesus character in this lesson. Baby brought the Smurfs back to the basics of the love they share because Papa (with Baby's help) was able to help the other Smurfs (even selfish and evil as they were) to kill the evil root. The Smurfs affected by the root still in their hearts had love or they wouldn't have been loyal to Papa's plan. Papa symbolizes a man who is now redeemed and who is of God. Furthermore, Papa symbolizes a man of God who has a gift of commanding authority and respect even of people that may not want to fall in line. Of this cartoon the scriptures are very true. Proverbs 16:4 states:

The Lord works out everything for his own ends - even the wicked for a day of disaster. Jesus is the cure for what ails us and will design leaders to achieve those ends through His Holy Spirit. How can we remember this and rejoice? What about our villain; aren't the scriptures true of her too?

The Devil will get his day of disaster along with anyone who doesn't fall into line with the commands that God gives. When we do what the Galatians passage tells us not to do, we weaken our witness and cause more division. Soon if that keeps up, we won't have much of one or any at all. I am talking about the lack of denominational cooperation in some Christians. What do you think can be done to cooperate more and not fall victim to the figurative Root Of Evil in this cartoon?

What do you see in this cartoon that shows God is Love? Other than our main point, what have you gotten out of this study on Chlorhydris? We need to remember one last passage for this lesson set. Let's read Psalms 118: 1-16, 25-29 together. Linking to the cartoon, what does this mean to you (hint: remember especially the beginning of the cartoon and somewhat at the end when everything is normal and happy)? How will you show that God is Love and remember that Jesus is the way and that we are on the same team if we truly have our Lord and Savior with, in, and working through us regardless of any Root of Evil that the Devil (symbolized by Chlorhydris) can conjure up? 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.