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Isaac the Courageous

Album: Gold Audio 07: On Thin Ice

Episode: 108

Lesson/Theme: Courage

Bible Verse: Joshua 1:6-7,9; John 15:13

Characters: Lucy, Sam, Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: March 17, 1990

Last Air Date: May 30, 2008

Description:
Isaac Morton wants to prove that he's not a coward-so badly, in fact, that he's agreed to go through the terrible, painful initiation to get into Rodney Rathbone's gang, the Bones of Rath. The initiation includes things like climbing a rope to the top of the gym and being flicked on the arm with a large rubber band. Among the worst of these initiations is running through the Line of Bravery. In this test, two rows of guys with paddles line up facing each other. Isaac and the other candidates run between the lines, while everyone with a paddle takes a swipe at them. Lucy convinces Isaac not to go through with such nonsense. As Isaac walks away, Rodney and the Bones brand Isaac to be a chicken. Isaac is distraught and goes to Whit's End for some encouragement. Whit tells him the story of Joshua and how God had to continually remind the hero of Jericho to be brave as he led the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Isaac is encouraged. Walking home, he sees the Bones engaged in yet another part of their initiation: When Rodney throws a pinecone out on the frozen river, the candidates must go retrieve it. Rodney again razzes Isaac about being a chicken. But when little Peter takes his turn, the ice breaks, and he falls into the water. This time, it's Rodney who turns yellow, and Isaac who springs into action. He forms the kids into a human chain. With God's help, they edge out onto the river and rescue Peter. Isaac learns the meaning of true courage, the kids learn not to run out on the ice, and we learn that Rodney Rathbone is 16 and still in middle school.

Questions:
If you saw someone fall through cracked ice like Peter did, what would you do? How could you best help him or her? Who is the most courageous person you know? Why? Why is courage important? Why should Christians have courage?