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The Secret Keys of Discipline

Album: 20: A Journey of Choices

Episode: 271

Lesson/Theme: Self-discipline.

Bible Verse: Proverbs 13:8

Characters: Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: June 4, 1994

Last Air Date: February 9, 2009

Description:
Danny excitedly rushes into Whit’s End. Whit is putting on a talent show in the Little Theatre, and Danny wants to be the first one to sign up for it. Whit tells Danny that he needs his parents’ permission before he can be in the show. Danny’s folks aren’t so sure this is a good idea, though. Lately, Danny has been promising to do a lot of things and not following through on them. Danny promises that this time will be different. After much pleading, Danny’s parents finally concede. But when they go to sign up, Whit tells them that so many people want to be in the show, he’ll have to hold auditions. Danny must practice the piano every day to be good enough for the show. Danny promises he will and tries his best to do just that. Unfortunately, Danny gets distracted with baseball, soccer, and other games. When audition time comes, Danny plays only marginally well. He’s put on the alternates list. Later, someone drops out of the show. Whit puts Danny in it. His parents again try to make him understand that he must practice. When it looks like he’s going to blow it again, Danny’s father shows him the "secret keys of discipline", which are sitting down and not letting anything distract you from your task. Danny finally makes the commitment. Despite great potential distractions, Danny practices and improves every day. He plays flawlessly at the show. Everyone applauds him loudly, and his school principal asks Danny to play at the PTA banquet. Danny happily agrees. He immediately takes off to go practice at home.

Questions:
When Brooke asked Danny to play baseball and soccer, what should he have said? What are the “secret keys of discipline”? Is there something that you need to be more disciplined about doing? How can you follow through?