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Isaac the Insecure

Album: Gold Audio 07: On Thin Ice

Episode: 86

Lesson/Theme: Overcoming insecurity.

Bible Verse: Psalm 139:14; Luke 16:15

Characters: Lucy

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: September 23, 1989

Last Air Date: May 1, 2008

Description:
Isaac is no soccer player. After Isaac botches several plays, Coach Fred Zachary politely boots him from the team. But Isaac is definitely the "P?le" of the academic world, which he proves later in math class. He'd give up all his intelligence, though, if he could just be like Jack Davis, captain of the soccer team and the most popular guy in school. In English class, Isaac and Jack are paired to do a report. Isaac thinks this could be his big chance to "catch" some of Jack's popularity, so he does everything he can to avoid making Jack upset. When it becomes obvious that Jack is uncomfortable having Isaac as a partner, Isaac resolves to work harder on the report so Jack will like him. But their teacher corners Isaac and forces him to reveal how much work he's doing and how little work Jack seems to be doing. The teacher scolds Jack, who, in turn, rakes Isaac over the coals. Isaac determines to make it up to Jack by doing the entire report himself. But when Isaac gets to the library, the librarian tells him that someone else is already there, doing a report on Isaac's subject. Isaac hunts down the copycat and discovers that it's Jack! It turns out that Jack didn't want to be Isaac's partner because he felt inferior around Isaac. Much to their surprise, they both have the same insecurities. They get down to work, and Isaac discovers he's made a new friend-one who has turned out to be a lot like him.

Questions:
Have you ever felt like Isaac and Jack? What did you do to regain confidence? What are some of your special gifts? How can you boost someone's self-esteem?