Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

Do, for a Change

Album: 25: Darkness Before Dawn

Episode: 339

Lesson/Theme: Pride; humility;patience.

Bible Verse: Luke 18:9-14

Characters: Connie, Eugene

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer: Mark Drury

Original Air Date: December 2, 1995

Last Air Date: May 12, 2009

Description:
Odyssey is full of new Christians. Among them are Zachary Sellers; his mother, Eileen; and, of course, Eugene. But like many new Christians, Zach seems to be having trouble adjusting to his new life. He still gets angry and flies off the handle at the smallest things. Eugene, on the other hand, seems to have just the opposite problem. He is so academic in his approach to Jesus that he doesn’t experience any trials, tribulations, or conflicts in his life at all. Things worsen for Zach. Finally, he gets to the point where he considers giving up Christianity altogether. But Jack and Connie counsel and comfort him. They tell him that the Christian life is not an event, but a process. Little by little, Zach will get better at controlling himself, in ways that he may not even notice. Zach’s real test of patience comes on a class trip. There, he is pestered by an annoying kid named Glenn. Zach tries to be patient, but he ends up yelling at Glenn and pushing him into a volcano display. Zach tells Jack that he simply can’t be a Christian anymore. But Jack explains that Zach is trying too hard to be perfect. He needs to stop relying on himself and start relying on God’s grace. Zach agrees to keep trying, and soon he sees results. As for Eugene, Jack also confronts him. He tells Eugene that knowledge is meaningless if it doesn’t penetrate your heart. Eugene understands and agrees to approach his faith with less intellect and more spirit.

Questions:
Why did Mrs. Sellers think that she and Zach should behave differently now that they’re Christians? Was she right? Why or why not? Zach said he didn’t think he could be a Christian anymore. Do you think it’s possible for someone to stop being a Christian? Explain your answer. Why did Jack feel that Eugene needed to learn more about grace and humility?