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George Under Pressure

Album: 22: The Changing Times

Episode: 285

Lesson/Theme: Family togetherness; dealing with stress.

Bible Verse: Colossians 1:9-13

Characters: Donna, George, Jimmy, Mary

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: October 8, 1994

Last Air Date: February 25, 2009

Description:
George is in the thick of his seminary studies, so engrossed that he falls asleep right at the dinner table. His studies and the demands on his life are taking him away from his family, and severely straining their finances. All of this is putting tremendous pressure on George. So Jimmy, Donna, and Mary decide to force George to relax by kidnapping him and taking him on a picnic. Unfortunately, the afternoon is a disaster, one of the worst afternoons they’ve ever spent together. Later, George complains to Jack. Jack tells George that he and his family are not alone. Jack says every book he’s ever read about great preachers describes the same pressures. It’s just God’s way of preparing all of them for the ministry. George says that all sounds good, but he can’t believe God would want him to destroy his family by pursuing his ministry dream. George goes home and tells the family he’s given up on the idea of being a minister. Mary, Donna, and Jimmy mean too much to him, he doesn’t want to see them suffer anymore. But they’ve had a meeting of their own and have come to the opposite conclusion. The Barclays all realize they need to rally more around George. They must lift him up in prayer and support him. God almost immediately blesses that decision, for George is offered an interim pastorate at the local church. With God’s help, things look like they’ll work out after all.

Questions:
Why do you think it is so hard for George to get through seminary? Should the family have taken George away from his studies? Should George have tried to enjoy the afternoon? Explain. How has God taken care of you and your family lately?