Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey!

John Avery Whittaker: Hi there, I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. My friends and I are about to set off for a time of wonder and excitement. You want to come along? We'd love to have you join us for today's Adventure in Odyssey.

Harlo Doyle: Do any of you know how to make hand shadows?

Courtney Vincent: That depends on what you mean.

Harlo Doyle: I don't know what I mean. Me neither. But keep that to yourself.

Connie Kendall: Isn't that what I just said?

Harlo Doyle: Well, if you insist. But I'd like to practice it a little further.

Harlo Doyle: Good evening, Whit. One lemonade, if you please.

John Avery Whittaker: Coming right up, Detective Doyle.

Harlo Doyle: Please, Whit, call me Harlo. I'm working undercover tonight.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, I see. An important case, huh?

Harlo Doyle: Top secret.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, then I guess you can't talk about it.

Harlo Doyle: Not a word. Not a word. It's so secret that I don't even dare talk to myself about it. That's how secret it is.

John Avery Whittaker: But if you can't talk to yourself about it, then how do you know what the case is?

Harlo Doyle: My point exactly. I don't know what the case is. That's what I'm trying to find out.

John Avery Whittaker: So, your case is to find out what your secret case is?

Harlo Doyle: Uh-huh. But keep that to yourself.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh. Which? Do you mean the case or the secret case?

Harlo Doyle: Both. The case to find the secret case should be a secret too. Right. Forget we talked about it. In fact, I better forget it too. Forgetting. Forgetting.

Connie Kendall: I'm going home, Whit. Hello, Harlo.

Harlo Doyle: Detective Doyle, please. I'm on a case.

John Avery Whittaker: Connie, going home? What about your Bible study?

Connie Kendall: Well, I've waited for a half hour. It doesn't look like anybody's going to show.

John Avery Whittaker: That's unusual, isn't it?

Connie Kendall: Kind of. But I've noticed that my students have been disappearing one by one over the past few weeks.

Harlo Doyle: Wait, wait. Did you say disappearing?

Connie Kendall: Uh-huh.

Harlo Doyle: This is perfect. Cases of missing persons were my major in detective school. If anybody can find them, then I most certainly can.

Connie Kendall: I don't mean they're that kind of missing.

Harlo Doyle: They're not here, are they?

Connie Kendall: No.

Harlo Doyle: And you admitted you don't know where they are.

Connie Kendall: Yeah, but—

Harlo Doyle: How many other kinds of missing could there possibly be? They're that kind of missing. It's an open and shut case. Hold on to my lemonade, Whit. I have work to do. Harlo Doyle, private eye, is on the job!

Connie Kendall: Wait a minute. Come back!

John Avery Whittaker: What's he going to do?

Connie Kendall: No telling.

John Avery Whittaker: Why don't you tell me about this declining attendance?

Connie Kendall: Well, there's nothing to tell, Whit. Everybody's been dropping out of my class. I get the message.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, now wait a minute.

Connie Kendall: No, it's okay. I have to go home anyway.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, Connie. Let's talk about it.

Connie Kendall: There's nothing to talk about, Whit. Apparently, the idea that I had some kind of gift of teaching was wrong. I'm mature enough to admit it. I'm a failure as a teacher.

Guest (Male): Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, the search for Wellington Bassett continues.

Guest (Male): I'm in some trouble.

Guest (Male): Wellington, where are you?

Guest (Male): I have to go.

Guest (Male): Difficult questions are raised. Was he having money problems? Any debts he couldn't pay?

Guest (Male): The Bassetts don't borrow money, Detective. We make it.

Guest (Female): And painful memories resurface.

Guest (Male): So he was afraid to talk to me and considered running away?

Guest (Male): He did more than consider.

Guest (Male): Secrets come to light and the stakes are raised as The Prodigal Twin concludes on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Connie Kendall: Hi, Detective Doyle.

Harlo Doyle: I insist my clients call me Harlo.

Connie Kendall: Oh, yeah. Harlo, about—

Harlo Doyle: I'm glad we're here as alone as one can ever be in a crowded place like Whit's End. You're going to have to give me a couple of clues about this case.

Connie Kendall: What kind of clues?

Harlo Doyle: The names of the people I'm looking for. I could search all over town, but if I don't know who I'm looking for, I might find the wrong people. That gets messy.

Connie Kendall: Look, that's what I want to explain. You don't have to look for them.

Harlo Doyle: Nonsense. How will I ever find them if I don't look for them?

Connie Kendall: I'm not sure my students want to be found.

Harlo Doyle: Let me be the judge of that. Who's the detective around here anyway?

Connie Kendall: Harlo.

Harlo Doyle: That's right. Harlo is the detective, and he thinks finding missing people is important. Whether I think so or not. Understand?

Connie Kendall: No.

Harlo Doyle: Neither do I, but I thought it was worth clearing up. Now, what are the names of your missing students?

Connie Kendall: I don't think I should say.

Harlo Doyle: What's wrong? Somebody blackmailing you to keep you from talking?

Connie Kendall: No. I'm just trying to imagine you going over to Courtney's house to give her the third degree about not coming to Bible study. I don't think it'll go over very well.

Harlo Doyle: Ha! I got you with the oldest trick of the book.

Connie Kendall: What?

Harlo Doyle: I tricked you into giving me the name of one of your missing students.

Connie Kendall: Did I? What name did I say?

Harlo Doyle: You said Carrie. No, Carl. Carl. It was definitely a K-word. Connie? Yeah, that's the name. Wait a minute. I don't think Connie starts with a K.

Connie Kendall: It doesn't. Besides, Harlo, I'm Connie.

Harlo Doyle: Aha! Then I'm glad I finally found you. Boy, I could wrap this case up before dinnertime.

Connie Kendall: Oh, brother.

Harlo Doyle: Excuse me, young lady. Are you Courtney Vincent?

Courtney Vincent: Yes, sir. Can I help you?

Harlo Doyle: The name's Doyle. Harlo Doyle, private eye.

Courtney Vincent: You're kidding.

Harlo Doyle: No. Don't I look like a private eye?

Courtney Vincent: No. I thought you were selling encyclopedias or something like that.

Harlo Doyle: Of course not. That's not a bad idea. Hey, look, don't change the subject. Exactly what were you doing last night when you weren't at Connie's Bible study?

Courtney Vincent: Connie's Bible study? Oh, the Bible study. Did Connie send you over?

Harlo Doyle: So you admit you know Connie?

Courtney Vincent: Sure I do. Everybody knows Connie.

Harlo Doyle: Oh. Well, I guess we settled that. See you around.

Courtney Vincent: That's it?

Harlo Doyle: Should there be more?

Courtney Vincent: You just wanted to know if I knew Connie?

Harlo Doyle: I know that you knew Connie. What I don't know is if you knew what you didn't know about the Bible study last night.

Courtney Vincent: How could I? I was doing homework.

Harlo Doyle: Aha! So you skipped out on the Bible study to do homework, eh?

Courtney Vincent: Isn't that what I just said?

Harlo Doyle: Of course you did. That's why I heard it before. But didn't it occur to you that by staying home, you would miss the Bible study?

Courtney Vincent: Well, yeah.

Harlo Doyle: Just as I thought. And didn't you realize that by missing the Bible study, you would have to explain to me why you missed it?

Courtney Vincent: That I didn't know.

Harlo Doyle: Me neither. Look, Mr. Doyle, something's happened to Connie's Bible study. It used to be fun and interesting and, well, something's changed. In fact, Giselle and I were talking about it last night.

Harlo Doyle: Oh, so you were talking to Giselle last night rather than doing your homework, rather than going to the Bible study? Boy, this case is getting more complicated all the time.

Courtney Vincent: Giselle was here with me. We were studying together and she feels the same way. The Bible study has gotten—

Harlo Doyle: Yeah? Hard to follow?

Courtney Vincent: No.

Harlo Doyle: Shamefully commercialized?

Courtney Vincent: No.

Harlo Doyle: Unwilling to conform to current thinking on economic matters?

Courtney Vincent: No, it's gotten boring.

Harlo Doyle: Oh, that was my next guess. Ask anyone in the class, they'll tell you.

Harlo Doyle: And exactly which anybody should I be asking?

Courtney Vincent: I don't know. You could start with Giselle.

Harlo Doyle: Better yet, I'll start with Giselle. But you better hope your stories match. She's your only alibi, you know.

John Avery Whittaker: Connie? Oh, there you are.

Connie Kendall: Hi, Whit.

John Avery Whittaker: I need your help on a little project.

Connie Kendall: What kind of project?

John Avery Whittaker: Well, it's a sketch I've written for my Sunday school class this week. I thought maybe you and I could perform it, then lead a discussion time afterward.

Connie Kendall: You mean you want me to help you teach on Sunday morning?

John Avery Whittaker: Uh-huh.

Connie Kendall: I don't think so, Whit.

John Avery Whittaker: Now, Connie, I wrote this sketch with you in mind. And my class loves it when you come in to help.

Connie Kendall: I'm sorry, Whit. I can't.

John Avery Whittaker: Why not?

Connie Kendall: Because—

John Avery Whittaker: Well, if this is because of what happened last night—

Connie Kendall: Whit, you know I can be stubborn, but there's no point in denying the truth.

John Avery Whittaker: And what truth is that?

Connie Kendall: I'm just no good as a teacher.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, nonsense. I've seen you teach. You're good.

Connie Kendall: You're my friend. I'd expect you to say that.

John Avery Whittaker: I'm your friend and I wouldn't lie to you. Think about it, will you? You've been doing the Tuesday night Bible study for ages.

Connie Kendall: Only because nobody else would do it.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, that's not true. Connie, listen to me. You can't let this one experience ruin everything for you. Let's try to find out what's been happening in your class. Maybe there are some explanations for why your students have been dropping out.

Connie Kendall: The explanation is simple. Everyone's dropped out because I'm not supposed to be a teacher.

John Avery Whittaker: I think you're wrong and it's worth talking to your students to find out the real reason.

Connie Kendall: Yeah, well, maybe Harlo Doyle will come up with something.

Giselle: Thanks, Ma. Hi, I'm Giselle.

Harlo Doyle: Harlo Doyle, private eye.

Giselle: Yeah, that's what my mom said. That's neat. So you chase crooks and foil bank robberies and stuff like that?

Harlo Doyle: Well, only on my days off. But today, I'm here to talk to you about the Bible study you missed last night.

Giselle: You mean Connie's Bible study?

Harlo Doyle: Precisely.

Giselle: You mean she hired you—

Harlo Doyle: No, no, no, the details aren't important. I'm looking for specifics. Where were you last night?

Giselle: Studying with Courtney.

Harlo Doyle: Aha! So you admit that you were studying with Courtney.

Giselle: Yeah.

Harlo Doyle: Don't you consider that a remarkable coincidence considering that she admitted to studying with you?

Giselle: No.

Harlo Doyle: Well, you would if you were me, which, fortunately for you, you're not. Those wouldn't fit anyway. So, you want to tell me why you skipped out on the Bible study, hm?

Giselle: Well, okay. I'll be honest. Something's happened over the last few weeks and the Bible study has gotten kind of—

Harlo Doyle: Yeah, yeah. Hard to follow?

Giselle: No.

Harlo Doyle: Shamefully— wait a minute. I'm not going to go through that again.

Giselle: It's just that I haven't really been learning anything there. It's as if Connie is sort of making it up as she goes along.

Harlo Doyle: Making it up? You mean she's been telling you stories?

Giselle: No. I mean that she comes into our study and it's like she hasn't even looked at the lesson before she got there.

Harlo Doyle: Hm. So you think she needs glasses, eh?

Giselle: No. I don't know what I mean.

Harlo Doyle: Yeah, I've got that problem too.

Giselle: But I know that other kids are feeling the same thing.

Harlo Doyle: Well, this is interesting. Very interesting indeed.

Giselle: You're not going to tell her I said all this, are you?

Harlo Doyle: Are you kidding? I'm not the kind of detective who blabs everything he hears, particularly since I'm not sure of a word you said. Me neither, for that matter.

Courtney Vincent: Hi, Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker: Hello, Courtney. How are you today?

Courtney Vincent: Okay. Is Connie around?

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, she's out running errands for me. Anything I can do for you?

Courtney Vincent: Well, I wanted to talk to her about the Bible study last night.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, I know she missed you.

Courtney Vincent: Was she mad?

John Avery Whittaker: No, not mad. Can you tell me something, though?

Courtney Vincent: Sure.

John Avery Whittaker: Why didn't you come?

Courtney Vincent: It's kind of hard to explain.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, give it a shot.

Courtney Vincent: I've been talking to some of the other kids and we've all been kind of feeling the same thing.

John Avery Whittaker: And what's that?

Courtney Vincent: It's like we're all losing interest in the Bible study because it seems like Connie's lost interest in it.

John Avery Whittaker: What? Connie loves teaching that class.

Courtney Vincent: We thought so too. But over the past few weeks, she's been coming in on Tuesday nights and she doesn't have the lesson prepared. She sort of just wings it. That's okay sometimes, but she's been doing it a lot lately.

John Avery Whittaker: You're saying that she isn't preparing for the class very well?

Courtney Vincent: Yeah.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, have you or any of the other kids talked with Connie about it?

Courtney Vincent: No. You know, she really wants to be a teacher and we didn't want to hurt her feelings.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, I see. Would you be willing to talk to Connie when she comes back?

Courtney Vincent: You mean me, alone?

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, get a couple of the other kids if you want, but I think it's time for her to understand how you feel.

Courtney Vincent: Okay. I'll call Giselle and see if she'll come.

John Avery Whittaker: Good.

Harlo Doyle: Psst! Connie!

Connie Kendall: Huh? Detective Doyle?

Harlo Doyle: Not so loud, Connie. I'm undercover.

Connie Kendall: What in the world are you wearing?

Harlo Doyle: A very clever disguise. I thought if I dressed as a carpet cleaner, no one would recognize me.

Guest (Male): Hi, Harlo.

Harlo Doyle: Hi there. Oops.

Connie Kendall: Harlo, carpet cleaners don't usually wear carpet remnants sewn to their overalls.

Harlo Doyle: They don't?

Connie Kendall: No.

Harlo Doyle: I knew I shouldn't have listened to that salesman at the carpet store. They're having a sale, you know.

Connie Kendall: I didn't. Well, it was nice talking to you.

Harlo Doyle: Does this mean you're not interested in what I found out about your case?

Connie Kendall: You mean you've really been investigating it?

Harlo Doyle: Of course I have. I'm a private investigator, aren't I? I have the card to prove it. Somewhere. That piece of shag rug to the left a little, would you? Watch out for the tacks.

Connie Kendall: That's all right, Harlo. Look, I have to get back to Whit's End. Can you walk with me?

Harlo Doyle: Be easier to roll.

Connie Kendall: Then maybe we better talk later.

Harlo Doyle: Never mind, I think I can waddle.

Connie Kendall: So you talked to my Bible study class?

Harlo Doyle: Those who would see me. Some of their parents were rather suspicious of me and wouldn't let them come out. I don't understand.

Connie Kendall: Were you dressed like this?

Harlo Doyle: Good grief, no. I was in my plumber disguise.

Connie Kendall: I see. Well, what'd they say?

Harlo Doyle: They wanted to know why I carried such a large wrench.

Connie Kendall: No, I mean about my class.

Harlo Doyle: Oh, that. Well, let me see. I talked to Courtney and Giselle and Bridget and Tom Riley.

Connie Kendall: Tom Riley? But he's not in my class.

Harlo Doyle: I know, but I got so lost that I wound up at his farm. Nice place, by the way.

Connie Kendall: I've been there. What'd you find out?

Harlo Doyle: About what?

Connie Kendall: About my class!

Harlo Doyle: What about it?

Connie Kendall: I'm confused. Weren't you talking to students in my class about why they're dropping out?

Harlo Doyle: Yes. How did you know that? Have you been following me?

Connie Kendall: No!

Harlo Doyle: Good thing, because then you would have heard everything and wouldn't have needed a report from me.

Connie Kendall: What report?

Harlo Doyle: That your students are dropping out because they think you're boring.

Connie Kendall: What? Boring?

Harlo Doyle: Maybe I should rephrase that statement.

Connie Kendall: Figured I was a bad teacher, but I didn't expect to be accused of being boring.

Harlo Doyle: Why, I don't think it was an accusation. I believe they simply meant it as a point of fact. Here we are. You come in and tell Whit what you just told me, please.

Harlo Doyle: Well, if you insist, but I'd like to practice it a little further.

John Avery Whittaker: There she is. Connie.

Connie Kendall: Hi, Whit.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi. Oh, hi, Giselle, Courtney. Hello, Detective Doyle.

Harlo Doyle: Students are dropping— Oh, hi, Whit. Because they think— is that right? Students are—

John Avery Whittaker: Connie, Giselle and Courtney want to talk to you.

Connie Kendall: I'm sure they do.

John Avery Whittaker: So go ahead, girls.

Courtney Vincent: Well, we wanted to apologize for not showing up for Bible study last night.

Giselle: Yeah, we should have come even though— well, you know.

Connie Kendall: Yeah, I know.

Courtney Vincent: Mr. Whittaker thinks we should talk about it before our next class.

Connie Kendall: Well, we don't have to do that.

Courtney Vincent: We don't?

John Avery Whittaker: They don't? Why not?

Connie Kendall: Because, frankly, I don't care if anyone shows up for my Bible study ever again. See ya!

John Avery Whittaker: Connie! Connie! Wait here, girls. Connie!

Giselle: That wasn't very nice. See, I knew it was a bad idea to talk to her.

Courtney Vincent: What do you think, Mr. Doyle?

Harlo Doyle: Me? I think Connie's students are dropping out because they think she's boring. Wait a minute. Where's Whit? Connie? Hm. Another missing persons case.

Guest (Male): Hey parents, for almost 40 years Adventures in Odyssey has been helping kids like yours form relationships with Christ. Now the animated Adventures in Odyssey film Journey into the Impossible will reach a new generation of families. But we need your help to finish the film and launch it in theaters. Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar before May 1st. See the trailer and donate today at FocusOnTheFamily.com/Impossible. That's FocusOnTheFamily.com/Impossible.

Guest (Female): Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, Zoe wants to work for the school magazine.

Guest (Female): I have to submit my best articles to the Parliament Press editors, but another student's in the way.

Guest (Male): The Parliament only has one reporter spot left and Vaughn Hartman's after it.

Guest (Female): And when a hallway incident starts rumors...

Guest (Male): I hear Vaughn's a total bully. He pushed a girl down in the hallway yesterday.

Guest (Female): That was me!

Guest (Female): If Vaughn's banned from the middle school grounds, Zoe gets the position on the magazine. Will the truth come to light? Find out only on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Guest (Male): Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at AdventuresInOdyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-Family. With a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, good, you're still here. Where's Harlo?

Giselle: He said the carpet was making him itchy. He went home to change.

Courtney Vincent: Did you talk to Connie, Mr. Whittaker?

John Avery Whittaker: No, she ran out the back door.

Giselle: Yes, that's that.

John Avery Whittaker: What's what?

Giselle: The Bible study's finished, isn't it?

John Avery Whittaker: No, why should it be?

Giselle: After what she just said, why should we go back?

John Avery Whittaker: Well, you should go back for the reason you went in the first place—your commitment to studying the Word. Look, you two, this whole mess is as much your fault as it is Connie's.

Giselle: Our fault? How can it be our fault?

John Avery Whittaker: Because you let yourselves slip away from the Bible study and the commitment you made without talking to or thinking about Connie first. How did you think she'd feel after her students just disappeared week after week? How would you feel?

Courtney Vincent: Yeah, I guess you're right. We didn't think about that.

John Avery Whittaker: I'm sure Connie is genuinely wounded by what happened. That may take a little patching up.

Courtney Vincent: Do you think she'll still teach the class?

John Avery Whittaker: I don't know. I'll see what I can do.

Harlo Doyle: Hello, Whit.

John Avery Whittaker: Harlo, where in the world have you been? Why, I haven't seen you in nearly a week.

Harlo Doyle: Well, it was a very strange case.

John Avery Whittaker: Really?

Harlo Doyle: Yes. In fact, my doctor said it was the strangest case he'd seen.

John Avery Whittaker: Your doctor?

Harlo Doyle: Apparently, I have an allergy to carpet foam. I broke out in hives and turned as red as a, as a very red thing. Now, what's going on here tonight?

John Avery Whittaker: Connie's Bible study.

Harlo Doyle: I have a vague recollection of a case involving that.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, most of the kids are here, but Connie isn't.

Harlo Doyle: Well, there's a switch. Do you want me to find her? My rates are reasonable.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, that's all right. I think I know where she is.

Courtney Vincent: Mr. Whittaker?

John Avery Whittaker: Yes, Courtney.

Courtney Vincent: The class is supposed to start and everybody's getting restless.

John Avery Whittaker: Okay, thanks. Just tell them to hold on, all right?

Courtney Vincent: Yes, sir.

John Avery Whittaker: Harlo, would you mind watching the class while I go get Connie?

Connie Kendall: Oh, hi, Whit.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi, Connie. Do you have a minute?

Connie Kendall: Look, if you're here to talk about the Bible study—

John Avery Whittaker: I am.

Connie Kendall: Then there's nothing to say. I can take a hint. I mean, I'm sorry I got upset, but I've been thinking about it and they all think I'm boring and I shouldn't be teaching.

John Avery Whittaker: And that's it, huh? You've made up your mind?

Connie Kendall: Uh-huh.

John Avery Whittaker: And you're determined to stay with this attitude of self-pity you've locked into?

Connie Kendall: Now wait a minute.

John Avery Whittaker: No, I'm sorry. I don't have a minute to waste. There's a room full of girls back at Whit's End who are waiting for their teacher.

Connie Kendall: A room full?

John Avery Whittaker: Yes. Frankly, Connie, I'm surprised at you. I can appreciate that you were a little hurt by your students, but I thought your commitment to your duty would win out. You've been doing that class because you thought God called you to teach. A slight hiccup in the process and you're ready to call it quits.

Connie Kendall: But Whit, what could be worse for a teacher than being called boring?

John Avery Whittaker: Being called lazy.

Connie Kendall: What?

John Avery Whittaker: Didn't you stop to wonder why they thought the class was boring?

Connie Kendall: Well—

John Avery Whittaker: Your students thought you lost interest in teaching them. Did you know that?

Connie Kendall: No.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, if you had returned some of my phone calls, you would have.

Connie Kendall: I'm sorry.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, if their description is accurate, it sounds to me like you weren't preparing for the class properly. Were you?

Connie Kendall: That depends on what you mean.

John Avery Whittaker: It means preparing for the lesson. You pick your topic, study the scripture, look at parallel scriptures, then work out creative ways to help them understand it.

Connie Kendall: Oh, that.

John Avery Whittaker: Yes, that. What have you been doing?

Connie Kendall: Well, I figured since I had the gift of teaching and it was a Bible study that I could kind of go in and sort of let the Holy Spirit talk through me.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, Connie.

Connie Kendall: It happened that way in the Bible, didn't it?

John Avery Whittaker: Well, so did parting the Red Sea, but that doesn't mean we stop building bridges. Teaching takes time, preparation, and experience. Any less than that is a disservice to your students. Right?

Connie Kendall: Yeah, I guess.

John Avery Whittaker: You do have a gift, Connie. I've seen it, and I'd hate to see you throw it away because of this misunderstanding. Well, what do you say? Are you going to teach the study or not?

Harlo Doyle: All right, now if you put your fingers together like this, then you can make a swan. Pretty impressive, huh? Hold that flashlight still, will you, Giselle?

Giselle: Yes, sir.

Harlo Doyle: Now, do any of you know how to make hand shadows? Anyone? Anyone? Well, then it's time I told you about another one of my cases. Have I told you about the case of the washed-up watermelon?

John Avery Whittaker: That's all right, Detective Doyle, I'm back.

Harlo Doyle: Oh. Well, class, it'll have to wait for another exciting time. Thank you and good night.

John Avery Whittaker: And thank you, Detective Doyle.

Harlo Doyle: You're welcome.

John Avery Whittaker: And thank you all for your patience. Let me hand you back now to your proper instructor. Connie?

Connie Kendall: No, don't. I don't deserve it. Look, guys, I just want to say that I'm sorry for being so, well, lazy with this class. I promise to work harder. And thank you for coming back. So, let's start our lesson. This week, it's about commitment.

Chris: Again and again, the Bible says that being faithful to our commitments is one of the marks of a true Christian. For Connie, faithfulness meant taking the time to prepare for her Bible study properly. For Connie's students, faithfulness meant staying with the Bible study even though it wasn't working out the way they thought it should. And as Whit pointed out, all their confusion and conflict could have been avoided if they had simply talked honestly with one another.

So, if you're thinking about dropping out of a Bible study or an activity at church, stop. Pray about it and talk to your parents or someone who can help you with your decision. Maybe you're dealing with a question of faithfulness and don't even realize it.

Thank you for joining us for this important adventure. If you ever want to write to us, our address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3. You may also want to ask how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called "The Case of the Delinquent Disciples." That address again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995.

Adventures in Odyssey's a presentation of Focus on the Family. The Case of the Delinquent Disciples was written and directed by Paul McCusker. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold, and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.