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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "It's No Use Crying over Spilt Milk" (without using the actual phrase or literal exampl (02/07/08)
"Good morning class!" Mr. Fischer cheerfully greeted the children.

"Good morning Mr. Fischer" they responded almost in unison.

Northwestern Abundant Grace Christian Academy's new school year
started with an exciting new class: Computer Lab. The kids
worked tirelessly the previous school year and over the summer
to get donations for the computers.

They were eager to use them.

"Welcome to N.A.G.C.A.'s new computer lab!"

Two of the kids--Sammy and Nolan--started chanting,
"NAGCA, NAGCA, NAGCA!" Within seconds, the entire class
joined them.

Mr. Fischer chuckled as he held up his hands to calm them dowm.
"Okay, okay...okay. I know you're still pumped up from the Pep Rally.
But let's press on this afternoon with a serious topic."
As he spoke, he grabbed a stack of paper and started handing them out.
"The title of the lesson today is 'Phishers of Men'."

He paused, waiting for everyone to get a paper. "We have two
scriptures for this lesson. Who wants to read the first one?"

Several hands shot up.

"Okay, Sammy. Please stand and read it."

"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his
brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'
At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:16-18, NIV"
Sammy looked at Nolan and they both giggled as he sat down.

"Thank you, Sammy. I believe that God gives us talents when we're born.
As we grow up, He also gives us the power to make a choice. The first
choice is whether or not we will follow Jesus. The second choice is
whether or not we will use our God-given talents for good, or for evil.
We're going to have a little skit today."

Several hands shot up again. "Pick me!" exclaimed Nolan.

"No, no...I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I asked two parents to help
with this skit. Mr. & Mrs. Newman are going to play the parts of 'Bob'
and 'Marcia'. I will be the 'Narrator'. Click on the 'Skit'
link on your computer to watch Mrs. Newman's--Marcia's--part of the
story."

Mr. Fischer cleared his throat and started speaking in a lower voice.

NARRATOR/FISCHER
What is a 'phisher'? Fisher spelled with a 'ph'--According to Webster,
it "is a person who sends out legitimate-looking e-mails appearing to
come from some of the Web's biggest sites in an effort to get personal
and financial information from the recipient". Bob is a crabby old
man, and crabby old men and computers don't get along. Bob's wife
Marcia is checking her e-mail one day and...

MARCIA
(opens her e-mail inbox, scrolls down) Oh, what's this from our bank?
(she opens it)
Account Verification Needed. I better check this out. Click here...
(she clicks the link and it takes her to a legitimate looking bank website)
I better fill this out (Very quickly she fills out the form
and gives her name, address, account number. When she clicks the
Submit button, two words written in giant bold, blood red letters
appear: 'FOOLED YOU!!!!')
Oh.....no....this is not good. (she grabs her cell phone and speed
dials Bob.) Bob?

BOB
Yes Marcia, what's up--I'm very busy right now.

MARCIA
Bob, this is an emergency.

BOB
Oh SURE, it's always an emergency! Did the cat scratch my chair again?

MARCIA
Oh no....no....I think I just gave our bank account information to one
of those 'spam artists' as you call them. (there is a long pause)
I know you'd be upset but I thought I better call you.

BOB
I told---(pauses)--yes, I'm upset. But, then....(he pauses again)
Remember that sermon we heard last month about self control and anger?
Anger doesn't solve anything....in fact it will just make things worse.

MARCIA
What should we do?

BOB
There's nothing we can do about it...please call the bank and
report it immediately.

MARCIA
I'll call them right away. I know you're busy.

NARRATOR/FISCHER
The bottom line is: A person who has the talent to fish for people
can use it for good, or for evil.

"Look on your screens. Be a 'fisher' not a 'phisher'. A 'phisher' is a phony 'fisher'.
"Who wants to read the second scripture?"

Nolan jumped up and started reading,
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but
are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit,
that is, by the way they act. Matthew 7:15-16, NLT."
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This article has been read 2207 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
LauraLee Shaw
02/14/08
This is very creative from title to end, but I don't see the tie-in to the topic. I could picture the whole scene and always enjoy stories about children. :)
c clemons
02/17/08
A lot here about fishing including the teacher's name. I did not see the tie-in either to the topic. The good thing the children seemed eager to learn.
Holly Westefeld
02/18/08
A very creative take on the topic. I actually like stories that include the topic, but don't beat the reader over the head with it.
Let me see if I got it right. The "spilt milk" was the wife falling for the scam. The "no use crying" was her husband staying calm and advising her to call the bank right away.
Nice integration of Scripture.
Jan Ackerson
02/20/08
I like the "story within a story" aspect of this entry. Very creative!
Debbie Wistrom
02/20/08
Loved the title and the message, What a wonderful format for this lesson, THANKS.
william price
02/20/08
Very clever and clear. I think you did manage to hit the outskirts of the topic. I could see what you were hoping for. I enjoyed the skit as a vehicle to convey your message. Over all a very good job in ministering your point. The phisher/fisher thing was pretty creative. Keep up the good work. God bless,
Dee Yoder
02/20/08
I like the story within the story, too! I like the characters you created and the dialogue.
Sara Harricharan
02/20/08
Cute! I liked the word play on the title and the end where he told the kids to be Fishers and Phishers. I liked the little skit you had there, my only note is it seemed a little too lucky for Bob to let Marcia go like that-but it worked out all right. Nice job! ^_^
Betty Castleberry
02/20/08
Great lesson wrapped up in a well-written story. You did the topic justice.
Beth LaBuff 
02/21/08
Excellent story and lesson. Your writing is captivating. I can see this acted out as a skit (both stories). Thanks for the phishing warning too.
Sally Hanan
02/21/08
Good dialogue and script. I'm not sure if the kids were old enough to understand phishing, but it would be funny at a youth group age level. If you had started with, Welcome to the NAGCA, it would have been the perfect opening.