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Thy Kingdom Come

Album: 17: On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Episode: 232

Lesson/Theme: The kingdom of God.

Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Characters: Connie, Eugene, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: May 29, 1993

Last Air Date: November 6, 2008

Description:
Whit is trying to put together a Kid's Radio program on Jesus' par-able about the kingdom of heaven. Whit's having a difficult time of it, so he asks Eugene for help. Eugene declines, stating he's too busy at present. After a brief conversation, Whit deduces that Eugene actually doesn't want to help out because of his recent negative experience in the Imagination Station (see "The Mortal Coil", episodes #211 & 212). Whit wants to talk about the experience with Eugene, but that is the last thing Eugene wants to do. He beats a hasty retreat. Connie learns of the situation and tries to broach the subject with Eugene. But this only makes matters worse, so Whit and Connie decide to leave Eugene alone. Later, Whit sends Connie to pick up a sound effects record at the public library. Once there, she encounters Eugene, with an armload of books about Christianity. Eugene has been doing research on the subject after all. He is confused over several aspects of the Christian faith, especially the meaning of the phrase, "the kingdom of heaven". Connie sends him back to Whit. Whit uses the Kid's Radio project to help Eugene understand as well as he, being a non-Christian, can understand. "I think I want to believe", Eugene admits, "but I need help with my unbelief". Whit smiles and responds, "That's as good a start as any, Eugene".

Questions:
Whit told Connie they needed to be careful about how they proceeded with Eugene. What did Whit mean by that? Eugene thought he could find the answers he sought in books. Was he right? Why or why not? Which book would you have given Eugene to read? What does Whit think Jesus meant by the phrase, "the kingdom of heaven"?