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The Boy Who Didn't Go To Church

Album: Gold Audio 04: FUN-damentals

Episode: 61

Lesson/Theme: The importance of regular church attendance.

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Characters: Lucy, Connie, Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: February 11, 1989

Last Air Date: April 1, 2008

Description:
In the Little Theatre at Whit's End, Whit, Connie, and the kids are about to run through a dress rehearsal of a play Whit has written. Jack, one of the kids, has stopped by to watch the rehearsal and is talking to Whit. Whit tells Jack that the play will be performed at church the following evening. Jack is puzzled. He wonders when the church started doing plays on Sunday nights. When Whit says the pastor announced it quite a while ago, Jack sheepishly admits that it's been a few weeks since he's attended church. Just then, Connie walks up and says they can't run the rehearsal because their main character is too nervous. Everyone is disappointed until Whit volunteers Jack to fill in the role. Jack enthusiastically agrees. Whit hands him a script, and the play begins. It's a tale about a group called the Brotherhood of Dutiful Youth, or the BODY. The cast includes Mr. Headly, Miss Lippman, R. U. Listnin, Hans Armstrong, and John LaFete, which is Jack's part. The BODY is dedicated to helping people, and each member has a specific job. But John LaFete isn't happy with his task. He wants to do something else. When the others refuse to give him another job, he leaves the BODY to form his own group, the LaFetes. The LaFetes go searching for people to help, but because all of their experience, talent, and ability is only in one area, they fail miserably. Finally John learns his lesson, breaks up the LaFetes, and rushes back to the BODY-only to discover that it has disbanded! When John left, no one was there to do his job. Without all of its members, the BODY couldn't function effectively, so it died. The play ends on this down note, but the lesson isn't lost on Jack. He realizes that the church is a body, too. If its members fail to attend church, it can't function effectively-it might even die. Jack assures Whit that from now on, he (Jack) will be a vital part of the church body.

Questions:
Where John LaFete's feelings about doing the same old thing valid? Explain. Why is it important for every church member to be active in church ministries? Do you attend church regularly? Are you involved in any activities? What are some of your gifts of service?