Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

Our Father

Album: 17: On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Episode: 230

Lesson/Theme: The importance of fathers.

Bible Verse: Psalm 68:5

Characters: George, Jimmy

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: May 15, 1993

Last Air Date: November 4, 2008

Description:
Lawrence Hodges is a creature of imagination. One moment, he's a major-league baseball player, and the next, he's a mad scientist working on his latest Frankenstein-like creation. But lately, an odd element keeps creeping into Lawrence's imagination, his father. Or, more precisely, his lack of one. Lawrence's dad is on the road a lot, never around when Lawrence really needs him. So Lawrence turns to what he believes is the best substitute, the Bones of Rath. Rusty recruits him, and soon Lawrence begins taking on the Bones's unfavorable characteristics. This all culminates in Lawrence vandalizing several flowerpots sitting on the Barclay's front lawn. Mrs. Hodges is mortified, but George recognizes that Lawrence really needs a father figure in his life. George offers to be there for Lawrence whenever he needs someone. Lawrence happily agrees. He is on his way to learning what the love of God, the perfect father, is all about.

Questions:
Why was Lawrence so disappointed when his father couldn't show up for his baseball game? Why did Lawrence think the Bones of Rath might be a good substitute for his family? Why are fathers important?