Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

Bad Company

Album: Gold Audio 04: FUN-damentals

Episode: 65

Lesson/Theme: Choosing friends wisely.

Bible Verse: Psalm 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 6:14

Characters: Donna, George, Mary, Connie, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: March 11, 1989

Last Air Date: April 7, 2008

Description:
Donna Barclay is on her way out the door to meet her friend Rachael at the mall when Donna is stopped by her mother. Mary isn't sure Donna should hang around Rachael, whose reputation is less than sterling. Donna defends her friend, and Mary finally relents and lets Donna go. Mary expresses her reservations to George, but he says they have to trust that they've raised their daughter to choose her friends wisely. Meanwhile, Connie stops by to visit Whit at home. He's sick with a cold. Connie needs to borrow a Bible from Whit because she's on her way to a Bible study with friends from school. Whit warns Connie about attending just any study taught by just anybody. Connie promises to be careful. At the mall, Donna and Rachael talk about various things, including Donna's beliefs. Rachael cuts the conversation short when she sees some earrings. Donna goes to look at blouses. Later, the mall security guard confronts the girls and demands to see the contents of their purses. Donna immediately hands hers over, but Rachael spitefully turns her purse upside down and spills the earrings. Rachael runs, but Donna is too shocked to move and gets caught. Connie fares no better at the Bible study. There, a Mr. Grayson clouds her mind with a lot of nonbiblical baloney, saying that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. Connie leaves the study feeling confused and goes back to Whit. He sets her straight and offers to teach a Bible study for Connie and her friends that focuses on the truth. Whit tells her to be more careful about whom she associates with. Donna heeds this advice as well. She catches up with Rachael and scolds her for stealing the earrings and running away. Rachael brushes off the lecture. When Donna tells her to take back the earrings, Rachael brushes Donna off as well. Donna returns home and, along with Connie, learns an important lesson about the hazards of associating with bad company.

Questions:
How do your friends affect your faith? If you're a Christian, do you think it's appropriate to have non-Christian friends? Read Psalm 1:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 6:1 What kinds of friends do you hang around with? How can you be sure that you and your friends believe the same things about God?