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The Pushover

Album: 29: Signed, Sealed & Committed

Episode: 375

Lesson/Theme: Relationships/Self-esteem

Bible Verse: Psalm 139:13-14

Characters: Jared, Whit

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer:

Original Air Date: September 27, 1997

Last Air Date: July 6, 2009

Description:
There is a great commotion in the Odyssey Middle School lunchroom. Stewart and Doug, the school bullies, after some convincing, persuade Cody Carper to eat a disgusting sandwich. That afternoon at Whit's End, Cody's father, Richard, tells Whit about the difficulties Cody has had making friends since they moved to Odyssey and asks Whit to help Cody if he can. Later, however, Cody tries to befriend Stewart and Doug and become part of their special club by giving them his prize possessions and agreeing to attend their club meeting. When Cody gets to the address they give for the meeting, he discovers that the boys have sent him to a women's aerobics class. Whit explains to Cody that he doesn't have to be a pushover just to get friends, and that he needs to have more confidence in himself. Whit also tries to help Jared DeWhite, a boy who struggles with trying to tell everyone how to do everything "the right way"--his way. Whit sends Cody and Jared on a mission to Tom's farm. They set out but get lost because Jared does not follow the map Whit gave them. Whit later finds them along the path and Cody and Jared learn the lesson that they need to cooperate to get the task done: the one who is used to leading must be the follower and the one who is used to following must take the lead. With new-found confidence, Cody confronts Doug and asks for his things back.

Questions:
Why did Cody want to join the Doug and Stewart's "club?" Jared thought he knew how to read a map. Should Cody have let him have the map? Why do you think Whit sent the two boys together on their quest? What did each of them learn?