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Mike Makes Right

Album: Gold Audio 03: Heroes

Episode: 20

Lesson/Theme: Pride; handling power; dealing with bullies.

Bible Verse: Proverbs 16:18; Matthew 20:25-28

Characters: Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: April 2, 1988

Last Air Date: February 20, 2008

Description:
Fight! Fight! All the kids at Odyssey Elementary are gathered around to watch Billy Barton, the biggest bully in school, beat up poor Donny. As the fight progresses, Mike Caldwell walks over. Mike tells a kid named Freddy that Billy should cut it out, then Mike yells for Billy to pick on someone his own size. Billy hears this and is insulted. He finishes up with Donny, then turns his anger on Mike. Fortunately, Mike is literally saved by the school bell signaling the end of lunch. But Billy tells Mike to meet him the next day for the thrashing of his life. Mike is naturally petrified. At the fight the next day, Mike gets predictably whipped-until Billy grabs Mike's shirt and tears it. Mike is enraged! He attacks Billy, punching him wildly. Billy backs away from the onslaught as best he can, but a sidelong punch connects solidly with Billy's nose. The blood flows, and so do Billy's tears. Beaten, Billy runs away. Mike's an instant hero! Everyone is proud, heaping praises upon him. But soon, Mike gets arrogant about the fight and begins taking over Billy Barton's place as the school bully! "Magnificent Mike" generally abuses and pushes around the other kids. Then he runs into Sam, a new kid who's never heard of Billy Barton. Mike tries his conceited routine on Sam, who responds with a swift punch to the Magnificent One's stomach. Suddenly, the kids have a new hero! Lying on the floor, gasping for breath, Mike realizes that his pride has gone before his enormous fall-a lesson he won't soon forget.

Questions:
Should Mike have stood up to Billy Barton? Why or why not? When is it more appropriate to "turn the other cheek"? How could Mike have kept himself from becoming a bully? Read Matthew 20:25-28. What does Jesus say about being the greatest?