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Character Education Lessons
Bible Edition
Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
Summary
The bear cub Teddy is a grumpy bear. Even though he had
been a happy baby from a loving family, along the way he had
lost his smile. He doesn't enjoy any of the things that usually
make children happy, such as baseball, bike riding, rides at
Playland, and swimming. Teddy tries real hard to find his
smile, but nothing works, until he asks his grandpa for advice.
Grandpa tells him that he can only get his smile back if he
makes others happy.
Teddy can't understand how this will help, but he’s willing
to try. He goes home and starts doing helpful things for his
family and for his friends at school. He quickly discovers that
Grandpa was right—happiness comes by helping others.
In this moving story by Carl Sommer, children will learn
about caring, citizenship, and about one of the most important
principles of living a happy life--helping others.
Main Virtues
Caring/Cheerfulness/Citizenship
Other Virtues
Compassion, Generosity, Kindness, Positive Mental Attitude, Respect for Old Age, Responsibility, and
Self-Discipline
Contents
Being Selfish
Willing to Work
● Seeking Advice from the Wise
● Loving Our Neighbors
● Caring—Helping the Poor and Needy
● Doing Good to Others
● Loving Our Enemies
● Showing Compassion to Others—Citizenship
● Honoring and Obeying Parents Brings God’s Blessings
● Helping Others Brings Happiness
● How to Be Unhappy
● How to Become Happy
● Questions
●
●
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Character Education Lessons
Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
Being Selfish
Teddy did not like being grumpy. “If I just had a new bat and ball,” he thought, “I know I’d get my
smile back.”
Sure enough, when he got a new bat and ball, Teddy smiled.
He was smiling when it was his turn to bat...but he quit smiling when it was his turn to play in the outfield. Grumpy Teddy did not like running after the ball. He wanted only to hit the ball.
Teddy became grumpy because he became selfish; he thought only about himself.
1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
1 Corinthians 10:32-33
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, [33] just as I also please all
men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
√* Philippians 2:4-5
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
[5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
1 John 3:17
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how
does the love of God abide in him?
Additional verses: 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:20-21; James 2:15-16
√* The check is a recommended Scripture to teach the particular lesson.
All verses are from the New King James Version.
Willing to Work
Teddy’s dad and mom gave him a new bicycle for his birthday.
“Hooray!” shouted Teddy. “This bike will surely bring back my smile!”
Dad and Mom took him to the park, and happy Teddy had great fun riding down the hill...but unhappy
Teddy grumbled when he had to pedal back up the hill.
Before long, riding his bike did not make him smile anymore.
We also see something else in Teddy; he became lazy. Teddy did not like to work. You will find that
selfish and lazy people are not happy
√ Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
[7] Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
[8] Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 10:4-5
He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
[5] He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
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Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
Proverbs 14:23
In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 20:4
The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
Hebrews 6:11-12
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
[12] that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the
promises.
Additional verses: Proverbs 6:9-11; Proverbs; 12:11; Proverbs; 13:4; Proverbs 15:19; Proverbs 24:30-34
Seeking Advice from the Wise
Teddy, on the advice of his friends to find his smile, went to Playland and to a river to go swimming.
Neither place helped him. Then Teddy said to an older friend, “I’ve tried very hard to find my smile, but
nothing works. Maybe I can ask my grandpa what to do.”
His friend shook his head and laughed. “Grandpas can’t help kids. They’re too old!”
It’s the exact opposite—grandpas are old and wise. They have much wisdom, and you can learn much
from them.
Notice that all the advice his friends gave him did not work. Learn to seek advice from the wise. A
good place to begin is to learn to seek advice from your dad and mom.
√ Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
[2] So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
[3] Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
[4] If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
[5] Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
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Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise in your latter days.
Proverbs 20:5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.
Additional verses: Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 20:18; Proverbs 21:30; Proverbs 24:6
Loving Our Neighbors
Grandpa said to Teddy, “When you try to make only yourself happy, you will always be sad and
grumpy. But when you try to make others happy, you will find your smile.”
The problem with Teddy was that he tried to make only himself happy. The secret of happiness is to
make others happy. We make others happy by doing good things for them.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love
one another.
John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Mark 12:28-31
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had
answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” [29] Jesus answered him, “The
first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] And you shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength.’ This is the first commandment. [31] And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
√ Galatians 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”
you do well.
Additional verses: Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:8; 1 Corinthians 13:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John
3:23; 1 John 4:21
Caring—Helping the Poor and Needy
Grandpa took Teddy and drove him around town and showed him needy people. He said to Teddy,
“Everywhere you go there are those who are poor and needy. If you help those who really need help, you
will find your smile.”
Jesus was full of compassion. The Lord wants us also to be full of compassion by being kind to everyone, especially to the poor and needy.
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√ Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Matthew 10:42
And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly,
I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
1 John 3:17-18
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how
does the love of God abide in him? [18] My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed
and in truth.
Additional verses: Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Proverbs 14:31, 22:9, 28:27; Matthew 15:32, 19:21, Luke 12:33;
Acts 10:30-31; 1 John 4:7-8, 21
Doing Good to Others
“I don’t understand, Grandpa,” said Teddy, shaking his head. “But I’m going to do just as you say. I’m
going to try really hard to make others happy.”
Teddy couldn’t understand how doing good deeds to others would bring him smiles. But Teddy was
wise; he was willing to try. God wants us to make it a goal in life to always try to do good deeds for others.
√ Matthew 7:12
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of
faith.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them.
1 Timothy 6:18
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.
Additional verses: Psalm 34:14; Psalm 37:27; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Peter 3:10-12
Loving Our Enemies
Teddy had a boy named Billy in his class who often hid his books to make him mad. This time Billy
was in trouble because he had lost his notebook. Billy did not want to tell the teacher that his mother did
not have the money to buy another one.
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Teddy remembered what Grandpa had told him about making others happy, so he gave his enemy his
extra notebook. Teddy did not know it, but he had a smile on his face. And he had a new friend—Billy.
√ Luke 6:27-31
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who
curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the
other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone
who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you
would have them do to you.”
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. [18] If it is
possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my friends,
but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. [20]
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In
doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good.
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so
that you may inherit a blessing.
Additional verses: Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:32-36; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:59-60; 1
Corinthians 13:4-7
Showing Compassion to Others—Citizenship
When Teddy saw Bonnie having trouble carrying her books, he called out, “Bonnie! Let me help you.”
Teddy had compassion for others. Teddy felt very happy as he carried Bonnie’s books. He did not
know it, but he had a big smile on his face. Notice that Teddy’s smile is getting bigger and bigger.
Matthew 14:14
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and
healed their sick.
Matthew 15:32
Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they
have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away
hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
√ Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness,
longsuffering.
Additional verses: Matthew 9:36, 20:34; Mark 1:41; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Peter 3:8
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Honoring and Obeying Parents Brings God’s Blessings
The first thing Teddy decided to do was to make his mom happy by cleaning up his room. Teddy’s final
act of helping others was to make his dad happy. The next day he was supposed to help his dad pull weeds
in the garden. Teddy not only pulled the weeds by himself, but he did extra work—he raked the yard.
When Dad came home from work, he was so surprised. Dad picked Teddy up and gave him a great big
hug. Finally, Teddy realized...he was happy! He had found his smile by helping others!
God’s blessing comes on those who honor and obey their father and mother.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God
is giving you.”
Proverbs 6:20-21
My son, keep your father’s command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.
[21] Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother,” which is
the first commandment with promise: [3] “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the
earth.”
√ Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Additional verses: Deuteronomy 5:16; 1 Timothy 3:4
Helping Others Brings Happiness
From then on wherever Teddy went, he led the way by making others happy.
No longer was Teddy a grumpy bear. Now he had lots of smiles. His friends even gave him a new
name—Smiley Bear.
Best of all, Teddy never forgot Grandpa’s lesson: Happiness comes by helping others.
Let this be your aim in life—making others happy. When you live like this, you will find that it will
bring happiness to your life. Selfishness brings misery—helping others brings happiness. You will find
the Lord’s blessing on your life if you make this your goal.
Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
Proverbs 22:9
He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.
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Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
Matthew 10:42
And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly,
I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
√ Acts 20:35
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
Additional verses: Proverbs 25:21-22; Isaiah 58:7-11; Luke 6:35-38; 2 Corinthians 9:6
How to Be Unhappy
1. Think only about yourself.
2. Be selfish.
3. Don’t share with others.
4. When you play with others, do things that only you like to do. Teddy wanted to be only at bat; he didn’t
like to play in the outfield.
5. Complain when you have to work. Teddy loved riding down the hill, but he grumbled when he had to
ride up the hill.
6. Try to find happiness by seeking pleasure for only yourself. Teddy went to Playland and to the river to
go swimming, but he did not find his smile.
7. Try to make yourself happy by convincing yourself that you are happy. Teddy listened to his friend and
stood in front of the mirror and said, “I am happy! I am very happy! I am really very happy!” Then he
grinned as big as he could.
8. But it was not a real smile, and it did not make him happy. In fact, it made him grumpier. Trying to
talk yourself into being happy doesn’t work.
9. Don’t care about the poor and needy.
10. Don’t listen to your parents.
11. Ignore what the Bible teaches about loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself.
12. Make it your goal in life to think about making only yourself happy.
Follow these principles, and you will be guaranteed to live a life of unhappiness.
How to Become Happy
1. Think about helping others.
2. Be unselfish.
3. Share with others.
4. Be an eager and willing worker.
5. Find ways to help the poor and needy.
6. Listen to your parents.
7. Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.
8. Make it your goal in life to make others happy.
Follow these principles, and you will be guaranteed to live a life of happiness. Teddy learned that happiness comes by helping others, and as a result he became known as Smiley Bear.
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Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
Questions
1. How happy was Teddy when he was a baby?
Teddy was a very happy baby—he always smiled.
2. What happened to Teddy when he became older?
When Teddy grew older, be began to lose his smile. This made him feel grumpy.
3. Dad and Mom loved Teddy. What are some of the things they did for him?
They gave him gifts for special times, played games with him, and took him on fishing trips.
4. When did Teddy smile playing ball?
Teddy was smiling only when it was his turn to bat...but he quit smiling when it was his turn to play in the
outfield.
Teddy became grumpy because he became selfish—he thought about only himself. The Bible says, “Let
each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in
you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:4-5).
5. When Teddy rode his bike, what did he like to do?
Teddy had great fun riding down the hill.
6. What did Teddy grumble about when he rode his bike?
Teddy grumbled when he had to pedal back up the hill.
Teddy became lazy; he did not like to work. The Bible says, “He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest
is a son who causes shame” (Proverbs 10:4-5).
7. What did Teddy’s first friend tell him he could do to find his smile?
His friend said, “We’ll go to Playland. You’ll find your happiness there!”
8. What happened when Teddy went to Playland?
The more rides he rode, the grumpier he became.
9. What did Teddy’s second friend tell him he could do to find his smile?
His friend said, “Let’s go swimming in the river. You’ll find plenty of smiles there!”
10. What happened to Teddy when he went swimming in the river?
Teddy just laid on his float with a big frown on his face.
11. What did Teddy’s older friend say about grandpas?
Teddy’s older friend said, “Grandpas can’t help kids. They’re too old!”
It’s the exact opposite—grandpas are old and wise. They know much, and you can learn many things
from them. Notice that all the advice his friends gave him did not work. Learn to seek advice from the
wise. A good place to begin is to seek advice from your father and mother. The Bible says in Proverbs
1:8, “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.”
12. What did Teddy’s third friend tell him he could do to find his smile?
His friend said, “Your smile is inside you! Just keep telling yourself that you’re happy, and then put a big
smile on your face.”
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Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
13. What happened to Teddy when he stood in front of the mirror and did what his older friend had told
him?
It did not make him happy. In fact, it made him grumpier.
Trying to talk yourself into being happy doesn’t work.
14. What happened to Susie on the farm when she fed the animals and rode the horses?
Susie had lots of fun and lots of smiles.
15. What happened to Teddy on the farm when he fed the animals and rode the horses?
Teddy never smiled.
16. What did Teddy say when Grandpa told him that maybe he could help him find his smile?
Teddy said, “I don’t think so. My friend says, ‘Grandpas can’t help kids. They’re too old.’”
17. What did Teddy say when Grandpa asked, “Did your friend help you find your smile?”
Teddy said softly, “No.”
18. Teddy thought, “All my friends have been wrong. Maybe Grandpa can help me!” What did Grandpa
say when Teddy whispered, “Grandpa, can you help me find my smile”?
Grandpa said, “When you try to make only yourself happy, you will always be sad and grumpy. But when
you try to make others happy, you will find your smile.”
The problem with Teddy was that he tried to make only himself happy. The secret to happiness is to
make others happy. We make others happy by doing good things for them. The Bible says, “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).
19. What did Grandpa tell Teddy to do as he drove Teddy around town and showed him the poor and
needy?
Grandpa said, “Look Teddy. Everywhere you go there are those who are poor and needy. If you help
those who really need help, you will find your smile.”
Jesus was full of compassion. The Lord wants us also to be full of compassion by being kind to everyone, especially to the poor and needy. The Bible says, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and
He will pay back what he has given” (Proverbs 19:17).
20. Teddy did not understand what Grandpa had told him, but what did he say he was going to do?
Teddy said, “I’m going to try hard to make others happy.”
Teddy couldn’t understand how doing good deeds for others would bring him smiles, but he was willing
to try. God wants us to make it a goal in life to try always to do good deeds for others. The Bible says,
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”
(Matthew 7:12). This is the Golden Rule.
21. Teddy didn’t understand how helping others would help him find his smile, but he was willing to try.
What was the first thing Teddy did?
Teddy cleaned up his room to make his mom happy.
22. What happened to Teddy as be began to clean up his room?
As Teddy cleaned up his room, he began to smile.
23. In school, Teddy’s classmate Billy would often hide his books just to make him mad. What did Teddy
say to Billy because he knew he was poor?
Teddy said, “Billy, you can have my extra notebook.”
Teddy remembered what Grandpa had told him about making others happy, so he gave his enemy his
extra notebook.
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Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
24. Who became Teddy’s new friend?
Billy became Teddy’s new friend.
Teddy was kind to his enemy, and now his enemy became his friend. The Bible says, “But I say to you
who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).
25. What did Teddy do for Bonnie?
Teddy helped Bonnie carry her books.
Teddy had compassion for others. Teddy felt very happy as he carried Bonnie’s books. The Bible says,
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you”
(Ephesians 4:32).
26. What kind of smile did Teddy have as he helped Bonnie carry her books?
Teddy had a big smile on his face.
When you help others, it makes you feel good inside. Notice that Teddy’s smile is getting bigger and
bigger.
27. What did Teddy’s mom say and do when she saw that Teddy cleaned up his room?
Teddy’s mom said, ”I’m so happy!” Then she gave Teddy a great big hug.
28. What did Teddy do to make his dad happy?
Teddy went to work in the garden. He pulled out all the weeds by himself. He even did extra work—he
raked the yard.
29. When Dad picked Teddy up and gave him a great big hug, what did Teddy realize?
Teddy realized—he was happy!
30. How did Teddy find his smile?
Teddy found his smile by helping others.
God’s blessing comes on those who honor their father and mother. The Bible says, “Children, obey your
parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).
31. What did Teddy say to Grandpa about how he found his smile?
Teddy said, “I began making others happy, and now I have the biggest smile in the whole world!”
32. From then on wherever Teddy went he led the way by making others happy. What was the new name
his friends gave him?
His friends gave him the name Smiley Bear.
33. Teddy never forgot Grandpa’s lesson. What was Grandpa’s lesson?
Happiness comes by helping others.
Let this be your aim in life—to make others happy. You will find the Lord’s blessing on your life if you
make this your goal. The Bible says, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must
support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than
to receive’” (Acts 20:35).
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