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A DATE FOR GOMER - An Andy Griffith Show Bible Study

bethelwesleyan
Sep 14
2 min read

(Season 4, Episode #12 - Original Airdate: December 9, 1963)

Clip from A Date for Gomer

Barney has been looking forward to the big Chamber of Commerce dance all year long, but there is a problem. Thelma Lou’s cousin Mary Grace is coming for a visit and Thelma Lou won’t go to the dance unless Barney can help her find a date for Mary Grace. This does not sit well with Barney. You see, Barney is not impressed with the physical appearance of Mary Grace, in fact he calls her a dog. Barney solicits Andy’s help with the matter and they brainstorm to identify a date for Mary Grace. Suddenly, Gomer Pyle walks into the courthouse…...

1 Samuel 16:7 … “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

LESSON POINTS

Emphasis On Appearances

Where Is Your Heart? - Matthew 22:37-40

Assuming The Worst

What’s Really Important

DISCUSSION

Barney completely disregarded Mary Grace solely because of her appearance. Do we have trouble basing our opinion of others on external factors as well? What are the dangers of having this approach when dealing with others?

A healthier approach is to slow down, look deeper, and ask God to help us see people as He does: valuable, loved, and worthy of respect.
Barney and Andy’s motivation for setting up Gomer and Mary Grace was purely selfish – they knew that the only way they could go to the dance was to find a date for Mary Grace. Gomer on the other hand was more concerned that Mary Grace be treated with the respect that she deserved. When dealing with people, which attitude do you display? That of Barney or that of Gomer?

One attitude uses people; the other serves people. One reflects selfishness; the other reflects Christ.
When Gomer abruptly leaves, everyone assumes that he is walking out on Mary Grace. No one bothers to give him the benefit of the doubt. How easy is it for us to make quick judgements of the intentions of others?

The lesson for us: slow down, be patient, and extend the benefit of the doubt. By doing so, we reflect Christ’s love—who always looks deeper than appearances and seeks the heart.
Gomer’s respect and admiration for Mary Grace is so strong, he goes out of his way to make sure her needs are met. Gomer took the time to see past the physical and to really get to know the person inside. What can we learn from Gomer’s kind heart?

Gomer’s example encourages us to treat others with sincerity, kindness, and respect—seeing them the way God sees them: as valuable and worthy of love.

Philippians 2:3-4… “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”