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The Prodigal, Jimmy

Album: Gold Audio 04: FUN-damentals

Episode: 57

Lesson/Theme: Repentance; forgiveness; the parable of the prodigal son.

Bible Verse: Luke 15:11-32; 1 John 1:9

Characters: George, Jimmy, Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: January 14, 1989

Last Air Date: March 26, 2008

Description:
Jimmy Barclay is rolling in dough-almost $50 worth, to be exact. He decides to spend the money and his entire Saturday playing video games at the arcade. But his father, George, nixes that idea, thanks to the C-minus Jimmy got on his spelling test. George rightly surmises that the poor grade is due to Jimmy's lack of study and his tendency to goof off lately. George orders Jimmy to stay home, finish his chores, and study. But Jimmy's money is burning a hole in his pocket and his piggy bank. He decides that he's old enough to come and go as he pleases. So when George goes to work, Jimmy sneaks out and heads off to Pizza City. His plan is to have some fun in the morning, then return home before his dad does that afternoon at 3:30. At Pizza City, Jimmy meets up with two unsavory men named Mook and Howie, who con Jimmy into spending all his money on them. They teach him how to play video games and tell him jokes, living it up at Jimmy's expense. But when his funds run out, Mook and Howie quickly leave. Jimmy is embarrassed and hurt at being taken for a sucker-until he remembers to ask about the time. It's 3:30. Jimmy is so scared, he doesn't go home. He goes to Whit's End and plays with the trains. Whit, who has already talked with George, wheedles the story out of Jimmy, who doesn't know what to do. For guidance, Whit tells him the story of another fellow who disobeyed his father, spent all his money on no-good friends, and ended up feeding pigs for a living. Jimmy recognizes the story as the parable of the prodigal son. With Whit's help, Jimmy realizes that just like the son in the story, he, too, must repent and return home. Whit takes Jimmy home, and he immediately confesses his sins to George. Jimmy waits for his punishment. But before George punishes his son, he welcomes Jimmy with a hug, showing him the real meaning of the prodigal story: forgiveness.

Questions:
Jimmy said he was old enough to make his own decisions. Was he? When is someone old nough to make his or her own decisions? Explain. Why was Jimmy so afraid to go home? Was his fear justified? What does it mean to repent?