Introduction:
A new boy (Steve Quincy) moves to Mayberry and immediately starts leading Opie's friends down the wrong path. Opie stands up to him ready to fight and realizes the boy is all talk. This is the episode where Barney does his famous "Nip it in the bud!" speech.

Lesson Points:
Stand Up! Stand up for what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. —Opie (Joshua 7:10, Psalm 94:16, Jeremiah 1:17)

Be Strong and Courageous—Opie (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, 1 Corinthians 16:13)

Instances of the Courage of Conviction and Personal Bravery
    Daniel in the Den of Lions—Daniel 6:1-28
    David and Goliath—1 Samuel 17:1-58

Discussion:
1. In teaching their children to stand up for themselves, parents frequently struggle with conflicting advice such as “don’t ever fight,” “never start a fight,” and “there are times when you have to fight for what’s right.” How do you approach this dilemma?

2. Beginning in the book of Genesis, the world has always had its share of bullies. Crime writer Patricia Cornwell believes what is most evil in the world is the abuse of power and that the most evil things happen when someone with great power uses it to abuse someone who is powerless. Examples include political and military leaders like Adolph Hitler and Saddam Hussein and business leaders at companies like Enron and WorldCom. Do you concur with her belief?

3. According to G. Ray Funkhouser, author and professor of communication at Pennsylvania State University, power is to control as good is to evil. Who and what are examples of people and things that fit these two terms?

4. Who are some people you know that are examples of strength and courage? How do their examples help you in times of trouble?

Final Thought:
Barney: “A man confined to prison is a man who has given up his liberty, his pursuit of happiness—no more carefree hours; no more doing whatever you want, whenever you want; no more peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. Because it definitely is no fun when that iron door clangs shut on you.”