Ekklesia Partners with Local Church
Ekklesia Campus Ministry is pairing up with the Kirksville Church of Christ to study the Bible lesson plans of “Finding the Way Back to Mayberry,” by Joey Fann and Brad Grasham, Aug. 30 and Sept 6 at 7p.m. in Baldwin Hall Little Theatre and Sept. 11, 18 and 25 at 7p.m. in the Take Root Café Theatre. More specific details can be found at Ekklesia Campus Ministry, ekklesia.truman.edu, or Fann’s website, barneyfife.com.
Presentation Overview:
“Finding the Way Back to Mayberry” was created by using 12 episodes from “The Andy Griffith Show” as parables. The episodes referred to Matthew 13:34 as the key to the lesson series’ purpose and success: “All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.” The first class debuted in June 1998 at the Twickenham Church of Christ in Huntsville, Ala. Since then, different publishers have used their ideas to develop lesson plans.
“The Andy Griffith Show” and “Mayberry R.F.D.” were on the air during a turbulent time in America’s history, 1960-1968, yet offered hope and escape. They can still be seen in syndication. Although there are few direct references to the Bible in the show, each show is filled with the basic morals and principles taught by the Scriptures. Each show tended to have a moral theme that was brought out by the storyline. Basic values, such as character, personal responsibility, honesty and integrity were routinely exemplified by the show.
Bill Idelson, a writer for the show, once shared his opinion of why the show was so successful: “You know what the secret of the show is? You know why everybody loves it? It’s about man’s humanity to man rather than man’s inhumanity to man. He’s a sheriff, the police--the symbol of oppression, brutality and ignorance throughout the world--and here’s a guy who treats his neighbors and the people on the street as if they are human beings. I think people hunger for that so much that it transcends all of culture."
Presentation Overview:
“Finding the Way Back to Mayberry” was created by using 12 episodes from “The Andy Griffith Show” as parables. The episodes referred to Matthew 13:34 as the key to the lesson series’ purpose and success: “All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.” The first class debuted in June 1998 at the Twickenham Church of Christ in Huntsville, Ala. Since then, different publishers have used their ideas to develop lesson plans.
“The Andy Griffith Show” and “Mayberry R.F.D.” were on the air during a turbulent time in America’s history, 1960-1968, yet offered hope and escape. They can still be seen in syndication. Although there are few direct references to the Bible in the show, each show is filled with the basic morals and principles taught by the Scriptures. Each show tended to have a moral theme that was brought out by the storyline. Basic values, such as character, personal responsibility, honesty and integrity were routinely exemplified by the show.
Bill Idelson, a writer for the show, once shared his opinion of why the show was so successful: “You know what the secret of the show is? You know why everybody loves it? It’s about man’s humanity to man rather than man’s inhumanity to man. He’s a sheriff, the police--the symbol of oppression, brutality and ignorance throughout the world--and here’s a guy who treats his neighbors and the people on the street as if they are human beings. I think people hunger for that so much that it transcends all of culture."
