Finding the Way Back to Mayberry

Episode # 87, "Aunt Bee's Medicine Man"

Introduction:
Aunt Bee is troubled that a friend has just died. She is feeling vulnerable (and afraid) because of her age. A traveling salesman (Colonel Harvey) comes to town selling an elixir that will “cure all that ails ya.” She purchases two bottles, as do many of the town’s people, only to find she’s been swindled. Andy and Barney see through Colonel Harvey’s scheme and catch him, thus preventing further humiliation of the town’s people.

Lesson Points:
Fear (1 Timothy 2:7)
        Being fearful may be a lack of trust in God or a lack of understanding of God’s plan
        Being fearful tempts us do irrational and unusual things.

Wisdom (Proverbs 4:1-27)
        Wisdom protects us from being deceived.
        Wisdom gives us the ability to discern the enemy’s tricks.
        Wisdom insulates us from foolishness.

Discernment (1 John 4:1)
        Christians have a responsibility to discover truth and to be people of truth. We are not supposed to believe everything someone says.

Disobeying God (Numbers 32:23)
        We cannot get away with sin. God knows all we do and will disclose it in His timing.

Discussion:
Have you ever been afraid or troubled by something?  What extreme, drastic, or unusual measures did this fear tempt you to take?

 Have you ever been tricked or fooled by someone? How did you feel when you found out?

 Have you ever met someone you thought was “a bit shady” or deceptive but other people thought they were honest? How did you act around that person? What did you say to the others?

 Can you think of someone who was caught in a sin that they thought was hidden from everyone?