Introduction
The annual Ladies League Musicale will be held in Mayberry this year. Barney believes he will be chosen to represent his town, and he prepares excitedly for his audition. As he is practicing, Farmer Rafe Hollister drops by the courthouse on an errand and listens to Barney’s wretched rendition of "Believe Me If All These Endearing Young Charms." Rafe begins singing the song in order to show Barney how it should be sung, and he does so beautifully. Much to Barney’s chagrin, Andy encourages Rafe to audition too.

After the auditions, Barney believes he did very well. He overhears Mayberry’s choir director, John Masters, say that thanks to Andy, a wonderful voice will represent Mayberry. When Masters mentions that the voice belongs to Rafe, Barney’s ego takes a beating. When Mayor Stoner and Mrs. Jeffries, the head of the Mayberry chapter of the Ladies League, are told that Rafe Hollister won the audition, they are unhappy. The mayor and Mrs. Jeffries initially object to Rafe’s appearance and his manner of dress. The mayor orders Andy to tell Rafe he did not win. Andy is very upset with this snobbish and unfair decision, but he does go and see Rafe...

Lesson Points
Prejudging Others (Matt. 7:1-5)

            Caught up with Ourselves (Matt. 18:1-5)

            Downgrading Others

Dealing with Prejudices (Rom. 13:8-10)

            Making Excuses

            Absence of Love

            Destroying Unity (John 17:20-23)

Peer Pressure (James 1:12)

            Hesitating to do what is Right

            Wanting to Please Both Parties   

            Courage to Withstand (Gal. 6:9,10)

Unconditional Acceptance (Example of Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-7)

            Begins in the Heart (Col. 3:12-15)

Discussion

Barney said he was afraid that Rafe would be embarrassed and humiliated if he tried out for the Musicale - who might he have really been worried would be embarrassed?

At first, Andy agreed to cooperate with the Mayor and Mrs. Jeffries. What later events changed his mind?

Comment on John Master’s decision to select Rafe as the Mayberry representative.

Final Thought
By this, all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. -John 13:35