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I love the sound of laughter in a Bible Study group

My Bible study group is located just down the hall from my wife’s. (These are Sunday School style groups that meet on campus on Sunday morning.) Both our door and the door to her class were open. We are just far enough away from each other each other that we can’t hear each other unless one group or the other gets really loud.

Last week, her group got really loud. Loud, raucous, shake-the-walls laughter.  I love that.

There is more to Bible study than swapping funny stories, but I will tell you, a good dose of humor would go a long way toward improving most Bible Study groups. And when I say humor, I don’t mean a polite smile. I mean some good old fashioned side-splitting laughter. I mean what the young people call ROFL: Roll On Floor Laughing.

I think it was Andy Stanly who said, “It is the rare communicator that can communicate without humor.” When I write my Bible lessons I am always on the lookout to include one or two funny stories. (If you would like a free trial to my lessons, email me at josh@joshhunt.com

In a healthy group, you don’t have to plan this. You don’t have to bring any jokes to class. In a healthy group people bring their own humor. Where this is a group that loves each other, the usually love to laugh together. The Bible Study leader just has to create an atmosphere where everyone knows it is welcome. If that isn’t happening, you may have to prime the pump.

A great source of humor that is clean and on topic is www.sermoncentral.com. You can do a search for illustrations by topic or biblical text. You can click a box that will return only humorous stories. You can also add stories as you find them. Here are three that have more than 100 5 star ratings:

LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS

S. I. McMillen, in his book “None of These Diseases,” tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, “Are you a leader?” Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, “No,” and returned the application, expecting the worst. 

To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: “Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower.”

THE KIDS ARE COMING

The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough. We’re sick of each other, and so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her.” 

Frantic, the son called his sister, who exploded on the phone. “Like heck they’re getting divorced,” she shouted, “I’ll take care of This.” She called Phoenix immediately, and said to her father. “You are NOT getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?” 

The man hung up his phone and turned to his wife. “Okay, honey. The kids are coming for Thanksgiving and paying for their flights.”

THE WISDOM OF BABES

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Out of the mouth of babes?” Certainly you have. It comes from the simple truth that sometimes it takes a child to reveal lasting wisdom. It seems foolish but it isn’t!

For example: 

• Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
• Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, “Do I look stupid?” don’t answer him.” 
• Michael, wise man that he was also said, “Never tell your mom her diet’s not working.”
• Randy, 9 years of age said, “Stay away from prunes.” One wonders how he discovered that bit of wisdom.
• Kyoyo, age 9, said, “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.”
• Naomi, 15 said, “If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.”
• Lauren, age 9 said, “Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick.”
• Joel, 10 years old, said, “Don’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat.”
• Eileen, age 8 said, “Never try to baptize a cat.”       

Heard a funny story lately? Post it here. I need a laugh.