Finding the Way Back to Mayberry
Lesson 5 - Opie the Birdman
Introduction
Barney helps Opie make an old-fashioned slingshot as Andy looks on. Andy wants his son to
enjoy himself, but he cautions him to be careful with it. Opie assures his pa that he will
only shoot at "tin cans and stuff." Barney tells Opie that there was another boy
who was famous with a sling back in the "olden times", but there is some
question about where David got the rubber to make his sling. Barney goes on to tell Opie
that he was an expert with a slingshot when he was a lad. He attempts to demonstrate his
best trickshot, the tailgunner, for Opie and Andy.
Opie has fun just pretending to shoot at people and other outdoor targets. Suddenly, he notices something in a tree in his front yard. He takes aim and shoots. Much to Opies surprise, a bird falls to the ground. At first, Opie refuses to believe the bird is dead. He tries to help it fly away. He pleads for it to fly. When he realizes that he has killed the bird, he is devastated. He runs, sobbing, to his room...
Lesson Points
Being Sorry
Heed the Warnings
Actions Produce Consequences (Gal. 6:7-10)
Cant Change the Past
Taking Responsibility
Taking the Initiative
Attitude of Humility and Compassion
Dedication, Devotion, and Hard Work (1 Cor. 3:8)
Doing the Right Thing (Prov. 3:5,6)
Making Tough Decisions
Faith that the Results will be Good
Satisfaction in Accomplishment
Making a Difference (A Parents Perspective)
Importance of Our Influence (Matt. 5:13-16)
Leading the Way
Letting go (Isaiah 40:31)
Discussion
Obviously Opie was sorry and felt terrible about what had happened. Given the
circumstance, comment on Andys "punishment" for Opie?
What did you think about Opies response the next morning? What other actions could he have taken?
What were some reasons that Opie was hesitant to give up the birds? How can we relate given the situations in our own lives?
Before he released each bird, did Opie know the outcome? Do you think the final result was better than he imagined? What are the applications for us?
What are some things you noticed about Andy, from a parenting point of view?
Final Thought
Opie: "The cage sure looks awful empty, dont it Pa?"
Andy: "Yes son, it sure does. But, dont the trees seem nice and full!"