Introduction
Opie has become acquainted with a new boy in town named Arnold Winkler. Arnold is a spoiled brat who believes he can get away with anything. When Arnold discovers that Opie gets a mere quarter-a-week allowance and has to do chores to get it, he tells Opie that he’s being taken advantage of. Arnold doesn’t have to work for his allowance and believes that no kid should.

Opie decides to quietly demand that his father raise his allowance to 75 cents (the amount Arnold gets), and he says he should not have to do any chores. Opie is obviously uncomfortable making these demands, and he takes it well when Andy refuses to comply. Arnold tells Opie that "man to man" talks always fail. He advises Opie that throwing a temper tantrum will get him whatever he wishes. Arnold says it always works...

Lesson Points
Value of a Good Work Ethic (Gal. 6:7)

            Where it Starts

            Appreciation of Money

            Physical and Spiritual Rewards (1 Cor. 3:8)

            Utilization of Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)

Letting Ourselves Rule Our Lives - Arnold

            I Want it My Way

            Society’s Emphasis on "Me"

            Disrespect for All Authority

            Changing Focus from Me to Others (Luke 10:30-37)

Skills of Parenting - Andy

            Talking Straight
            A calm demeanor (Eph. 6:4)

            Firmness in What is Right

            Being Accessible

Learning from Mistakes - Opie

            Realizing Mistake and Making it Right

            Honoring Authority (Eph. 6:1)

            Attitude Adjustment

Discussion
How can we in our professional lives "shoot for the good feeling"?

If Arnold was allowed to continue his lifestyle, what kind of problems might he face as an adult?

Discuss Andy’s approach to dealing with Opie’s (attempted) tantrum.

Did you notice a change in Opie’s attitude after witnessing Arnold’s final tantrum?

Final Thought
"If we don’t teach children to live in society today, what’s going to happen when they grow up?"