The Joke’s on You

Kids Bible Devotional for September 22, 2026

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Focus Verse

Proverbs 10:21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. (NLT)

Jump Start

“Come on, bro! Can’t you take a joke?"

To many, teasing a friend or loved one is a form of endearment. There is nothing wrong with some playful banter now and again. But there is a fine line between jokes and ridicule. When that line is crossed, the person who is the object of the joke can feel humiliated or disrespected.  

An unknown source said, “Once your words start wounding instead of warming, it's no longer a joke—it's emotional damage served with a smile.”

Humor versus humiliation. It’s important to know the difference between the two. Our story today entitled, “The Joke’s on You,” explores that fine line between humor and humiliation.  

Today's Devotion

Ms. McKenzie stepped up to the whiteboard in front of her classroom and cleared her throat. The student’s chatty voices died down. “Okay, class, do you remember what we are covering today?”

Melanie shot up her hand. “We talk about what we did over the summer break,” she replied joyfully.

“That’s right,” Ms. McKenzie said. “Melanie, would you like to start us off?”

As Melanie made her way to the podium, Claire, who was in the back of the room, whispered to her friend, Mia, “Bet you five dollars she spent a week at ‘Kiss Up’ Mountain. Or maybe she took a course at ‘Teacher’s Pet’ Institute.”

Mia covered her mouth and tried to hold back a laugh. After Melanie ended her presentation, the teacher called on Bryan. Bryan was a science fiction enthusiast. He talked a lot about space, interplanetary travel, and popular sci-fi shows.

Claire leaned into Mia again and whispered, “Let me be the first to welcome you to Earth, Bryan. We hope you enjoy your stay before you’re beamed back to the mother ship.”

Claire made similar snide remarks about every presenter. After the bell rang, Ms. McKenzie called Claire to her desk. “Claire, you may not know this about me, but when I was a child, I was practically deaf. Until I got the surgery that I needed to restore my hearing, I learned to read lips.”

Claire felt the blood drain from her face.

“I know what you said to Mia about every student that presented today,” she said. “Thankfully, I don’t think anyone heard you. But I want to know something. What makes you think you’re better than everyone else?”

“I..I..,” Claire stammered. “I don’t think I’m better than anyone else. I was just trying to be funny.”

“It’s not funny when it’s at another’s expense,” Ms. McKenzie said. “I could ask you to apologize to all the presenters today, but I really don’t want them knowing what you said.”

“Thank you, Ms. McKenzie.”

“Tomorrow, we finish our summer vacation presentations. You still have yours to do. But instead of talking about your summer, I want you to talk about three ways jokes can be hurtful to others.”

“But I had a really cool presentation, Ms. McKenzie. I made a slideshow and everything.”

“You may turn that in for your grade, but I think you need to share with the class what you learned about hurtful jokes. I’m sure everyone will get more out of that than a fancy PowerPoint. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Claire dropped her head down. “Yes, Ms. McKenzie,” she mumbled.

Wrap Up

Our words can help, or they can hurt. James 3 describes how the tongue, though a small member of the body, can be an incredibly powerful tool that can cause massive destruction, if left uncontrolled.

It’s okay to cut up and have a good time every so often, but there is never a good time to intentionally put another person down just to get a laugh.

Use your words to build up and encourage, not to shame people.