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The American Revelation, I

Album: 39: Friends, Family, and Countrymen

Episode: 508

Lesson/Theme: American history: The Revolutionary War

Bible Verse: John 15:13

Characters: Marvin, Whit

Writer: John Fornof

Sound Designer:

Original Air Date: February 15, 2003

Last Air Date: April 11, 2005

Description:
Click here to read more about the writing and production of this episode, including the true history behind it. Episode Summary When Marvin Washington wonders if there were any Africa-Americans involved in the Revolutionary War, Whit uses the new and improved Imagination Station to send him back to an adventure in 1775. The war hasn’t even started yet as Marvin meets William Diamond, a drummer. William teaches Marvin some cadences on the drum as the two of them await the arrival of the British troops. When the troops finally arrive, Marvin hides in a barrel and is shocked when the troops fire on the Americans and a number are killed. Marvin is transported three months ahead to a time when William and a black man named Caesar Bason are heading toward a secret mission at Bunker Hill. Marvin tells Caesar that he thought the American Revolution was a white man’s thing, but Caesar replies that he has as much responsibility for fight for his country as any man. The next day, William, Marvin, and Caesar arrive at Bunker Hill and meet Captain Smith. All of them begin to build a fort out of dirt. As they begin to dig, William goes into town to get food and leaves his drum with Marvin. Caesar tells Marvin that a battle may be about to begin. The story continues in part II...

Questions:
Why wasn’t Marvin interested in hearing about the Revolutionary War? How did his perspective change at the end of the show? Read John 15:13. Aside from soldiers, can you think of anyone else who has to lay down their life today? Colenol Prescott prayed that the soldiers would never "depend on the arm of flesh," but only upon God. What does this mean?