JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL
The What Would Jesus Do? Road Trip 🚗
Everybody asks “What would Jesus do?” This game shows you what He actually did. Drive through real-life situations, pick your move, then get the receipts straight from the Gospels. Your dashboard is watching. 👀
Who’s driving?
🚦 Today’s Detour
Someone takes your parking spot. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey (Mark 11:2–7). He was not pressed about parking.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.You feel invisible at work. Jesus noticed a widow’s two tiny coins that nobody else saw, and said she gave more than everyone (Mark 12:41–44).
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.Your plans fell apart. Peter fished all night and caught nothing. One word from Jesus and the nets started breaking (Luke 5:5–6).
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.Someone keeps asking you the same question. Jesus asked Peter “Lovest thou me?” three times on purpose (John 21:15–17). Sometimes repetition is restoration.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.You need to cry. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Shortest verse in the Bible, biggest permission slip.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.Your to-do list is out of control. Jesus got up “a great while before day” and prayed first (Mark 1:35). Prayer before productivity.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.The kids keep interrupting. When the disciples shooed children away, Jesus was “much displeased” and welcomed them in (Mark 10:14). The kids win this one.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.Someone hurt you again. Peter asked if forgiving seven times was enough. Jesus said seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21–22). That’s 490. Start counting. Or better yet, don’t.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.You really want to be first in line. “The last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16). In the Kingdom, the back of the line is the fast lane.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.You’re hosting and stressed. Jesus told a very busy Martha that only one thing was needed, and Mary had chosen it (Luke 10:41–42). The dishes can wait.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.You think you messed up too badly. After Peter denied Him three times, the risen Jesus made him breakfast on the beach (John 21:9–12). Grace comes with fish.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.Someone at church is sitting alone. Jesus touched the leper nobody else would go near (Mark 1:40–41). Go sit with them.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.You’re tempted to post the humblebrag. Jesus healed a man and told him, “See thou tell no man” (Matthew 8:4). The Son of God turned down free promo.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.You’re anxious about what’s next. “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). He already went ahead to prepare a place.
New detour every day. Come back tomorrow.Lunch Line Lane
A kid cuts right in front of you in the lunch line.
📍 GPS: Pushing makes everybody’s lunch worse. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Kindness in the lunch line? That’s how Jesus drives!
📍 GPS: Whoa, that was LOUD. You can tell a grown-up calmly. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus said “the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16). He even knelt down and washed His friends’ dirty feet to show that serving others is the best way to be great (John 13:5, 14–15).
Snack Street
You have the BEST snack today. Your friend forgot their lunch.
📍 GPS: Sharing the crumbs is almost sharing. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Speed eating! Your tummy and your heart might both hurt. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Generous driving! Your friend will never forget it.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
A boy shared his lunch of 5 little loaves and 2 fish. Jesus thanked God for it and fed more than 5,000 people with it, with 12 baskets left over (John 6:9–13)!
Little Kids Lane
Your little brother or sister wants to play with you and your friends.
📍 GPS: Big-kid kindness! Jesus would love this route.
📍 GPS: Uh-oh, Jesus’ friends tried that once. Keep reading…
📍 GPS: Watching is okay. Playing together is better. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
When Jesus’ friends tried to send the children away, He was not happy! He said, “Let the little children come to Me,” and He hugged them and blessed them (Mark 10:13–16).
Thunder Road
There’s a big thunderstorm at night and you feel scared.
📍 GPS: It’s okay to feel scared. You don’t have to stay scared alone. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Peace, be still. You’re driving like Jesus!
📍 GPS: Now EVERYBODY is scared. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus was asleep in a boat during a huge storm. His friends were scared, so He stood up and said, “Peace, be still,” and the wind and waves stopped (Mark 4:38–39). He’s bigger than any storm.
Mean Words Way
Someone at school calls you a mean name.
📍 GPS: Two mean names don’t make a nice day. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Your feelings matter. Let’s talk to someone about them. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Brave AND kind. Smooth driving!
🧾 What Jesus actually did
When people said mean things to Jesus, He didn’t say mean things back. He trusted God to make things right (1 Peter 2:23).
New Kid Avenue
A new kid is sitting all alone at lunch.
📍 GPS: Ouch. Imagine if that new kid was you. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: You just made someone’s whole day. Great driving!
📍 GPS: What if YOU are the someone? Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Nobody in town liked Zacchaeus. But Jesus stopped, called him by name, and went to his house to eat with him (Luke 19:5). Jesus always made room for the person left out.
Oops Overpass
You accidentally broke your mom’s favorite mug.
📍 GPS: Truth-telling takes courage. You’re a great driver!
📍 GPS: Hidden things have a way of being found. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: The dog would like a word. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus’ friend Peter messed up really big. But when Peter came back, Jesus forgave him, made him breakfast, and gave him a fresh start (John 21:9–17). Saying sorry opens the door to grace.
Busy Boulevard
Grandma wants to tell you a long story, but you’re in the middle of your game.
📍 GPS: Grandma can tell you’re not really listening. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Zoom! You just drove past someone who loves you. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: The game can wait. People are the best part of the trip!
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus was on His way somewhere very important, but He stopped in a big crowd to talk with a woman who needed Him. He gave her His full attention and called her “Daughter” (Mark 5:30–34).
Group Project Pike
You did basically the whole group project. Someone else takes the credit in front of the teacher.
📍 GPS: The internet is forever. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Honest, private, calm. That’s the Navigator’s route.
📍 GPS: Bottled-up resentment always leaks. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus taught that when someone wrongs you, go to them one-on-one first (Matthew 18:15). And He never chased credit: at the wedding in Cana, the groom got praised for Jesus’ miracle (John 2:9–10).
Lunch Table Lane
Your friends start roasting a kid who isn’t there.
📍 GPS: Fitting in shouldn’t cost someone else. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: You won the bit. Someone else lost. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: One sentence just changed the whole table. Clean driving.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
When a crowd ganged up on a woman, Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” One by one, they all walked away (John 8:7–9). He shut it down.
Scroll Speedway
It’s 1 a.m. You know you should sleep. The feed is endless.
📍 GPS: Comparison is a dead-end street. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Forty “one mores” later… Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Rest is holy. Goodnight, driver.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus regularly stepped away from the crowds to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16). He even slept peacefully in the middle of a storm (Mark 4:38). Rest wasn’t laziness. It was trust.
Party Parkway
You get invited to a party, and you already know there’ll be stuff there you don’t want any part of.
📍 GPS: Route confirmed. And now you’ve got a better party.
📍 GPS: “I can handle it” is famous last words. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Right exit, shaky lane. You don’t need an excuse to say no. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
When Satan tempted Jesus three different ways, He didn’t negotiate or test His limits. He answered every single one with “It is written” and walked away from it (Matthew 4:1–11).
Parent Pressure Point
Your parents say no to something you really, really wanted.
📍 GPS: Silence can be loud too. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Mature driving. Your parents noticed.
📍 GPS: The door didn’t do anything to you. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
At 12, Jesus stayed behind at the temple and His parents panicked. He explained Himself honestly, then went home with them “and was subject unto them” (Luke 2:49–51). The Son of God honored His parents.
Comparison Corner
Your best friend makes the team (or gets the role, or the scholarship) you wanted.
📍 GPS: Two-faced is a dangerous lane. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Understandable. But your friend needs you too. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Happy for them AND honest with God. That’s elite driving.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
When His disciples argued about who was the greatest, Jesus told them the first would be the one who serves everyone else (Mark 9:33–35). In His kingdom, cheering for others is winning.
Outcast Exit
The kid everyone avoids asks to be your lab partner.
📍 GPS: Halfway there. Go the other half. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: You might have just made a friend for life.
📍 GPS: A lie AND a missed friend. Double recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Lepers were the people everyone avoided. When one came to Jesus, He didn’t back away. He reached out and touched him (Mark 1:40–41). Jesus moved toward the people others moved away from.
Mess-Up Merge
You messed up big, and now everyone knows.
📍 GPS: Spin cycles are for laundry. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Hiding feels safe, but it keeps you stuck. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: That’s a U-turn into grace. Best move on the map.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Peter denied even knowing Jesus, three times, in public. After the resurrection, Jesus made him breakfast and gave him three chances to say “I love You,” then trusted him to lead (John 21:9–17). Your worst moment isn’t your final chapter.
Group Chat Boulevard
Someone roasts you in the group chat. In front of everyone.
📍 GPS: Recalculating… The enemy liked that post.
📍 GPS: Silent on the outside, Category 5 hurricane on the inside. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Smooth driving. Grace looks good on you.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
When He was insulted, He didn’t insult back. He handed it to God (1 Peter 2:23). Standing before His accusers, He answered “never a word,” and the governor “marvelled greatly” (Matthew 27:14). Silence was the flex.
Gethsemane Garden Road
You asked your friends to have your back for ONE hour. They fell asleep.
📍 GPS: Whoa. Pull over. Nobody’s getting written out of anything.
📍 GPS: Honest AND gracious? You’re driving like the Navigator.
📍 GPS: “Fine” is not a feeling. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
In Gethsemane, Peter, James and John fell asleep three times while Jesus prayed. He was honest: “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” Then He gave them grace: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40–41).
Cana Wedding Way
Your mom volunteers you to fix a problem at a family party. Without asking you first.
📍 GPS: Honestly? Fair. Jesus said something close. But keep reading…
📍 GPS: Martyr mode activated. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Saved the best for last. Literally.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
At the wedding in Cana, Mary told Jesus the wine ran out. He said His hour wasn’t here yet. She turned to the servants anyway: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” He turned water into the best wine of the night, and the groom got the credit (John 2:3–10). Moms gonna mom.
Burnout Bypass
You’ve had zero rest and finally sit down. A crowd of people suddenly needs you.
📍 GPS: Rest is holy. Ghosting is not. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: We heard the sigh. Everyone heard the sigh.
📍 GPS: Compassion first, then a nap. Perfect route.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus told His disciples to come away “and rest a while,” because they didn’t even have time to eat. The crowd beat them there. Jesus “was moved with compassion” and taught them (Mark 6:31–34). Later, He went up a mountain alone to pray (Mark 6:46). Jesus scheduled rest.
Thanksgiving Turnpike
Someone at Thanksgiving dinner asks a political question designed to start a fight.
📍 GPS: The turkey was the only thing that was supposed to get roasted. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Mic drop, but make it holy.
📍 GPS: The potatoes appreciate you. The table needed you though.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with a question about taxes. He asked for a coin, asked whose face was on it, and said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” They marvelled and walked away (Matthew 22:17–22).
Gossip Gulch
Everyone at church is whispering about someone’s very public mistake.
📍 GPS: Your lips stayed shut but your eyebrows said everything. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Prayer request or gossip with a church hat on? Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Grace and truth in the same lane. Beautiful.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
When a crowd dragged a woman to Jesus to condemn her, He wrote in the dirt and said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” They left one by one, oldest first. Then He told her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:7–11).
Betrayal Bend
You run into the person who betrayed you. At the grocery store. In the same aisle.
📍 GPS: Petty Parking is not a fruit of the Spirit. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Hiding behind Frosted Flakes isn’t healing. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: That’s next-level driving.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, and He still washed his feet at the Last Supper (John 13:5, 11). When Judas showed up with a mob, Jesus called him “Friend” (Matthew 26:50). Kindness isn’t pretending it’s okay.
Storm Street
Life is in a full-blown storm and everyone around you is panicking.
📍 GPS: Group panic, group regret. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Fun fact: the disciples tried this exact move. It did not go well.
📍 GPS: Peace, be still. You’re cruising.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus was asleep on a pillow in the back of the boat while the disciples panicked: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” He woke up, said “Peace, be still,” and the wind stopped. Then He asked them, “Why are ye so fearful?” (Mark 4:38–40).
Shortcut Alley
You’re hungry, broke and exhausted. An easy shortcut shows up that would compromise everything.
📍 GPS: It is written. Route confirmed.
📍 GPS: That “shortcut” is a toll road. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Delete the bookmark, beloved. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
After 40 days of fasting, Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. Jesus answered every temptation with Scripture: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:3–4). Three temptations, three verses, zero shortcuts.
Sycamore Lane
Someone everybody dislikes is trying really hard to get your attention.
📍 GPS: Jesus’ reputation was “friend of sinners.” Recalculating…
📍 GPS: A wave is nice. A seat at the table is better.
📍 GPS: Bold, a little awkward, and exactly right.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Zacchaeus, a tax collector the whole town despised, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Jesus stopped, called him by name, and invited Himself over for dinner. The crowd grumbled. Zacchaeus’ whole life changed that day (Luke 19:2–9).
Interruption Interchange
You’re rushing somewhere important and a stranger interrupts you, needing help.
📍 GPS: They can see you looking at your watch. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Interruptions are often the assignment.
📍 GPS: You just sped past a divine appointment. Recalculating…
🧾 What Jesus actually did
On His way to heal a dying girl, Jesus stopped in a pressing crowd because a woman who had been sick for 12 years touched His clothes. He turned, found her and called her “Daughter” (Mark 5:30–34). Then He raised the girl too (Mark 5:41–42). He is never late.
Temple Toll Road
People are using God’s house to make a quick buck off people who can’t afford it.
📍 GPS: Silence in the face of wrong is still a choice. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Right instinct, wrong motive. The merch was too far. Recalculating…
📍 GPS: Righteous anger, steady hands. Well driven.
🧾 What Jesus actually did
Jesus saw people turning the temple into a marketplace. Before flipping anything, He “made a scourge of small cords” (John 2:15). That’s right: He did a craft project first. His anger was about His Father’s house, not His own ego (John 2:16–17).
LICENSED BY GRACE
Class A · Unlimited miles
Grace points: 0/24
You let Jesus drive and didn’t even backseat. Your passengers feel safe, your GPS is quiet, and your dashboard is mostly dark. Don’t get cocky, though. The minute you think you’re the best driver on the road is the minute you start drifting into the Pride lane.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:6
BACKSEAT DRIVER
Class B · Restrictions: must stop giving directions
Grace points: 0/24
You gave Jesus the wheel. Then you kept leaning forward: “Are You sure it’s this exit?” “Should we speed up?” “I just think if we went MY way…” You’re headed the right direction. You just need to sit back and trust the Driver.
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9
LEARNER’S PERMIT
Must drive with a licensed Savior present
Grace points: 0/24
Jesus is in the passenger seat, calmly gripping the handle above the window. You’ve got the car moving, but you keep reaching for your own map. Good news: He’s a very patient instructor, and there’s no limit on lessons.
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” — Psalm 32:8
ROAD RAGE ROOKIE
Status: Recalculating… recalculating…
Grace points: 0/24
You drove this whole trip yourself, and the dashboard looks like a Christmas tree. But here’s the best news on the whole road: grace has unlimited U-turns. Turning around has a name in the Bible. It’s called repentance, and Jesus is always waiting at the end of the turn.
“This is the way, walk ye in it.” — Isaiah 30:21
This is a fun reflection, not a measure of salvation. Nobody earns the car. It’s a gift (Ephesians 2:8–9). We just learn to let Him drive.
What Would Jesus Do? Real Answers From the Gospels
“What would Jesus do?” became famous through Charles Sheldon’s 1896 novel In His Steps and the WWJD bracelets of the 1990s. But we don’t have to guess. The Gospels show us exactly how Jesus handled insults, betrayal, burnout, gossip, temptation and more. This game has kids, teen and adult versions, so the whole family can play.
What would Jesus do if someone insulted Him?
He didn’t insult back. He trusted God to judge fairly (1 Peter 2:23), and before His accusers He stayed silent (Matthew 27:14).
What would Jesus do if His friends let Him down?
He was honest about it and still extended grace. In Gethsemane He asked why they couldn’t watch with Him one hour, then said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:40–41).
What would Jesus do when He was exhausted?
He made time to rest and pray, and He still had compassion when people needed Him (Mark 6:31–34, 46).
What would Jesus do if someone tried to start an argument?
He answered trap questions with wisdom rather than anger, like His reply about paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:17–22).
What would Jesus do about gossip and judgment?
He reminded the crowd that none of them was without sin, refused to condemn the woman, and told her to sin no more (John 8:7–11).
What would Jesus do if someone betrayed Him?
He washed the feet of the disciple He knew would betray Him and called Judas “Friend” (John 13:5; Matthew 26:50).
What would Jesus do in a storm or crisis?
He stayed at peace, spoke peace over the storm, and asked His followers why they were afraid (Mark 4:38–40).
What would Jesus do when tempted?
He answered each temptation with Scripture, starting with “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:1–11).
What would Jesus do with people others reject?
He went to them. He called Zacchaeus by name and ate at his house (Luke 19:2–9), and He touched a leper (Mark 1:41).
What would Jesus do when He was interrupted?
He stopped and gave people His full attention, like the woman who touched His clothes on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:25–42).
What would Jesus do about injustice?
He confronted it. He drove the money changers out of the temple out of zeal for His Father’s house (John 2:13–17).
Every “What Jesus actually did” is taken from Scripture. Quotes from the King James Version. Just for fun, and for growth.
