Introduction: 
Barney decides to make a big purchase – his first car!  A sweet, older lady from Mt. Pilot brings in her deceased husband’s vehicle to meet with Barney’s approval.  It seems like a great deal to him, but Andy suggests he think about it some more or at least have Wally look at it first.  Barney simply can’t wait and closes the deal.  You guessed it!  The car turns out to be a lemon, and Mrs. Lesch proves she isn’t much better.

Lesson Points:
Deceptive People . . . – Ecclesiastes 9:17        
    Are Accomplished Predators – 1 Peter 5:8
    Take Advantage of our Weaknesses – Proverbs 1:10
    Tell Us What We Want to Hear – Job 34:3
    Trick Us With Clever Schemes – Proverbs 19:20

Deceived People . . . – Proverbs 2:9-15
    Rationalize Their Decisions – Proverbs 4:1-27
    Refuse Advice  – Proverbs 12:15
    Refuse to See the Truth – Proverbs 23:23
    Refuse to Take Responsibility for Their Actions – Galatians 6:7
    Really CAN Become Prudent – Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 22:1-5

Prudent People . . . – Proverbs 1:1-7
    Take Precautions – Proverbs 27:12
    Think Ahead – Proverbs 14:8
    Ignore Insults – Proverbs 12:16
    Handle Correction Well – Proverbs 15:5
    Don’t Believe Everything They Hear – Proverbs 14:15
    Don’t Say Everything They Know – Proverbs 12:23
    LEARN From “Wise Men” - Proverbs 18:15
    LEAN on God – Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Timothy 2:15

Discussion:
1) Barney was very enthusiastic about buying his first car, AND he had $300 burning a hole in his pocket!  But what did he lack?  Why did he refuse Andy’s advice?

2) Was Barney’s “handwritin’ on the wall” what was actually best for him, or what he wanted to believe?  What did Andy suggest Barney do?  What else could Barney have done?  What is the problem with always going with your first instincts?

3) Mrs. Lesch saw Barney as an easy mark.  How do deceivers know what to say and do with us?  What about us tips them off?  How can we guard against those things?

4) How was Andy able to see the possible dangers of buying a car better than Barney?    When they caught Mrs. Lesch red-handed, what was her reaction?  What was Barney’s?

5)       Did Barney learn from his mistake?  Barney meets two “sweet, little old ladies” in this episode, but why does he treat them so differently?  In the epilogue, he vows to be skeptical of everyone.  Is this wise thinking?  What would Andy advise us to do?

Final Thought:
Barney:  Well, now I got my money back, I’m gonna be a little more careful.  I’ve learned my lesson.  Trust nobody…You can fool Barney Fife once, maybe – just once! But never again!