Funny Things Jesus Said & Did!
In this series we’ll dive into some of the more humorous moments of Jesus’ life and ministry and see how these stories can help us become more Christ-like in how we live and treat others.
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Ok, That's Funny Children's Ministry Curriculum Lesson Overview
Memory Verse:
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 NIV
Lessons:
Rafters & Specs
Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5
Jesus says not to try to pick a spec out of someone else’s eye when you have a plank in your own eye. This hysterical imagery caries profound truths. First, it is a call to minimize the way we perceive the sins of others, and maximize the way we view our own sins. After all, we can’t change others, but we can work on our own behaviors. Second, Jesus is not forbidding us from addressing the sins of others, but rather, prescribing a process. Self-examination leads to humility, which leads to the proper mindset for addressing someone else’s sin.
Focus: Judge yourself before judging others
Pigs In Pearls
Scripture: Matthew 7:6
Start by reviewing the previous lesson, as this lesson follows it up. Our carefully and prayerfully chosen words are like pearls. When you throw literal pearls to literal pigs, they don’t know what to do with them. They will trample what. Is precious, and get angry with you because you didn’t give them something they could eat. Don’t waste your time and energy on those who won’t listen to you. Even the most lovingly and thoughtfully communicated words will be attacked by some people, because they don’t recognize they value.
Focus: Don’t waste your words on those who won’t listen
Hand Washing
Scripture: Mark 7:1-20
Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples because they ate without washed hands. This wasn’t the same kind of hand washing we do today. It didn’t involve soap. It was a small ceremonial act, where a little water was poured over hands a certain way. Jesus responded to their criticism saying that it isn’t what goes into the body that defiles, but what comes out of it. The obvious joke is that it sounded like Jesus was talking about the digestive process of eating and defecating. When His disciples asked, Jesus let them in on what He really meant; that the words and actions of a sinful heart are what truly defiles a person.
Focus: Our words reveal what’s in our hearts
Can’t You Be Less Grown Up
Scripture: Mark 9:33-37, 10:13-16
The disciples often discussed which of them would get positions of power in Jesus’ kingdom. One time, Jesus answered by putting a child in front of them and saying, “If you want to be great, be like this.” Jesus emphasized the way that children welcomed Him, which was seen when people brought their children to Jesus for blessings. The disciples looked to Jesus for power. Crowds wanted to hear His incredible teaching. Sick people wanted healing. Hungry people followed, hoping to be fed. Everybody came to Jesus with some sort of an agenda. But the children… they just wanted to be with Jesus.
Focus: Jesus wants us to love like children
Annoy Your Way To Victory
Scripture: Luke 18:1-8
A persistent widow pesters an evil judge until he gives in to her request. He doesn’t give in because he wants to do the right thing. He gives in to make her go away. Jesus says that this is how we should pray. Taken too literally, this parable portrays God as an evil Judge with no regard for others. But that’s not the point. The point is that the woman didn’t relent because she knew that the judge had the power to grant her request. Jesus is saying that if we really believe in God’s power and authority, we will pray with more passion and consistency.
Focus: Praying with relentless faith
Thunder Buddies
Scripture: Luke 9:51-56 Mark 3:13-19
When a Samaritan town rejected Jesus, James and John asked, “Should we call down fire from the sky to destroy the city?” Jesus rebuked them for suggesting such a thing. Most scholars believe that this is why Jesus gave these two brothers the nickname, “Sons of Thunder,” which could also be translated as “The Thunder Brothers.” It’s easy to imagine Jesus playfully calling them this; a gentle reminder that Jesus loves everyone, even those you desire to punish. Thunder Twin powers – Activate!
Focus: Jesus has mercy for those we desire to punish
The Rock
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19
What do you call a guy who is emotional, impulsive, and inconsistent; one with poor judgment, fluctuating faith, and very little self-control? How do you describe a guy who talks when he should be quiet, fights when he shouldn’t, makes promises he doesn’t keep, and cusses when he’s stressed out? Jesus called this man Peter, which means “The Rock.” Peter lived up to this name after Jesus was resurrected and ascended. But during Jesus’ lifetime, the name Peter was a joke. It would have been like calling a very tall person “shorty.” Jesus defined Simon Peter according to his potential; not according to his faults.
Focus: Jesus believed in Peter & He believes in you
Nap Time
Scripture: Mark 4:35-41
If you got on a boat, knowing that you were about to ride into a life-threatening storm, what would you bring with you? A life preserver? What would you do before the storm hit? Inspect the boat for leaks? Jesus brought a pillow, and He took a nap. Terrified by the storm, the disciples woke Him up. After calming the storm, Jesus criticized them for how they reacted. This seems harsh, but consider this. The reason the disciples should not have panicked doesn’t have to do with where they were or what was happening. They shouldn’t have panicked, because of who they were with.
Focus: With Jesus, we can rest in times of trouble
Gnats & Camels
Scripture: Matthew 23:23-24, 22:34-40
Jesus criticizes the pharisees for following little, nitpicky, burdensome regulations, while ignoring God’s most important laws. They made a big deal out of the rules that were easy for them to follow, and downplayed the laws that they didn’t obey. We all do this in some way. We emphasize the obedience issues that are easy for us, and ignore the ones that aren’t. The greatest command reminds us to “keep the main thing the main thing.”
Focus: Jesus doesn’t want us to major in the minors
What Things?
Scripture: Luke 24:1-35 Luke 24:19
After the resurrection, two disciples were walking the road to Emmaus when Jesus joined them and asked what they were talking about. One of them replied by hilariously asking Jesus how he could be so out of touch regarding the things that have been happening. Jesus replies with, “What things?”
(Jesus looks at camera and winks.) After hearing their story, Jesus explains to them that these events fulfilled all of scripture.
Focus: Jesus came to fulfill all of God’s promises
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