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The Greatest of These

Album: Gold Audio 04: FUN-damentals

Episode: 64

Lesson/Theme: Unconditional love.

Bible Verse: John 15:12;1 Corinthians 13

Characters: Connie, Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: March 4, 1989

Last Air Date: April 4, 2008

Description:
Robyn Jacobs is madder than a wet hen. The focus of her anger? Oscar. She tells Whit that not only did Oscar lose a spelling bee for her team at school (thus creating extra homework for them that night), but Robyn has also been paired with Oscar for the upcoming science fair! Robyn believes that their project will be an absolute disaster. Whit tells Robyn to calm down. When Oscar joins them a few moments later, Robyn is surprised to learn that Oscar has a good idea for the fair. He wants to build a working model volcano. They decide to begin gathering research, but Whit tells Robyn to go ahead without Oscar-Whit first wants Oscar to help with something. Robyn leaves, and Whit asks Oscar to read the big menu board above the counter. Oscar tries his best, but he can't even get past the second word. This confirms Whit's suspicion that Oscar is dyslexic. Unfortunately, Whit doesn't get a chance to tell Robyn, and she and Oscar proceed with their science project together. At the end of the week, they're ready to test their model volcano for Whit and Connie. It works nicely-the lava is pushed through the volcano orifices via a pump controlled by a dimmer switch, which Oscar operates. But when Robyn tells Oscar to turn the dimmer off, everything turns chaotic. The pump goes crazy, and the volcano erupts, slathering everyone in glop! Oscar turned the switch all the way on rather than off. Before Whit can stop Robyn, she chews Oscar out, almost completely sinking his fragile self-esteem. Later, when Robyn is cleaning up the room, Whit talks to her about her outburst and reveals Oscar's dyslexia problem. Robyn says she feels terrible for Oscar. But Whit tells Robyn that her words aren't good enough. The Bible teaches us to practice agape love-unconditional love-even if people don't deserve it. Whit explains that's the kind of love Jesus had for us. Robyn sees her mistake. When Oscar pops in to help with the cleanup, Robyn apologizes and suggests that they build a newer, better volcano. Oscar agrees . . . and Whit smiles at agape in action.

Questions:
Did Robyn have a right to be angry with Oscar? Explain. Do you know anyone with dyslexia? If so, how would you handle working with him or her on a project? How can you practice agape love today?