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The Meaning of Sacrifice

Album: Gold Audio 11: It's Another Fine Day

Episode: 152

Lesson/Theme: Sacrifice.

Bible Verse: 1 Samuel 15:19,22

Characters: Donna, George, Jimmy, Mary, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: May 4, 1991

Last Air Date: July 29, 2008

Description:
Inspired by the pastor's sermon one Sunday morning, George suggests that each of the Barclays sacrifice something important to them: television. That means no soap operas for Donna and no Zappazoids for Jimmy, since the game is played on a TV. The kids don't really like the idea, but they finally agree: No TV for a month. Jessie thinks Donna is crazy for giving up their favorite soap opera right when things in the story line are getting critical. So Jessie comes up with a way to keep Donna up to date without breaking her promise: Jessie will watch the show and then tell Donna what happened. Donna isn't sure about it, but she agrees. At the same time, Jimmy discovers that Finneman's Market has a new Zappazoids game. Jimmy reasons that technically he won't be watching TV by playing the game at the store. Jimmy's and Donna's schemes work, until they run into each other at Finneman's. Donna is buying a soap opera magazine, while Jimmy is in the middle of a hot Zappazoids game. They both blame each other. Whit, who also happens to be in the store, overhears the conversation. He explains that they have been following the letter, but not the spirit of the law. Jimmy and Donna both used a technicality to give into their temptation to watch television. The kids realize their error. They now understand the meaning of the verse, "To obey is better than sacrifice". This time, they'll give up TV, not for their parents or even for themselves, for God.

Questions:
What were Jimmy's and Donna's first mistakes? Read 1 Samuel 15:2 What does "To obey is better than sacrifice" mean? Have you ever sacrificed something for God? If so, what was it?