David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Know Who You Follow

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Materials Needed:

  • Internet access

The driver of a stolen black sedan led the authorities on a high-speed chase through Anaheim, CA. News helicopters from a few stations followed the car, narrating the driver’s actions, and bringing the chase to live television. Here are a couple of short clips from different news stations about the confusion in trying to follow the suspect:

Show the following video [:48]:
The KTLA News Chopper Accidentally Started Following The Wrong Vehicle Mid Car Chase

 Show the following video from another part of the chase [3:53]:
https://dcc-web-1.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/RLD+Assets/WHAT+JUST+HAPPENED_+Did+CA+police+chase+suspect+make+car+switch.mp4

 The stolen car was a black Toyota Camry. News reporters accidentally shifted focus and followed a black Chevrolet Impala.

  • What could those news reporters have done to ensure they were following the right car? (Answers will vary but might include: They should have known exactly what a black Toyota Camry looks like from a helicopter’s view; paid closer attention to what the driver looked like; known if there was a passenger in the car; slowed the pace of their reporting to take time to make sure they knew who they were following, etc.)

A high-speed car chase on a busy freeway may be tricky for helicopter reporters to follow, especially when the car disappears briefly under an overpass or when the view is temporarily blocked by larger vehicles or buildings. The fact that there are a lot of black sedans on the road made the news stations’ mistake somewhat understandable, but if they had known exactly what they were following, they might have had more success following the right car. 

How well do we know those we follow? Enough to be sure we will not make similar mistakes?

  • Who would you follow to find the way to the cafeteria in a new school, and why: Someone in a cafeteria worker’s uniform or a student who you heard is known for pranks? (We can be sure the cafeteria worker knows where to find the cafeteria and is less likely to mislead a student.)
  • Who would you follow when feeling pressed to join the crowd, and why: Peers whose actions are sometimes questionable or peers whose values you are familiar with and respect? (Peers whose values we are familiar with and respect, perhaps because we know their actions align with our values.)
  • Have you ever followed without knowing enough about who or what you were following? What was that experience like for you? (Answers will vary; be prepared to share your own experience.)
  • Who are some people that you know well enough to feel comfortable following their advice, guidance, or example? (Answers will vary but may include parents, your pastor, specific friends, etc.)

It would be great to know who we are following well enough to never accidentally lose focus or follow another by mistake. Let’s see what Jesus says about the connection between knowing and following Him.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

  • Internet access
  • Bibles
  • Origami paper or colored paper squares (any size)
  • White paper or cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Pens or thin markers
  • Optional: Magnetic tape (self-adhesive)

Spread the word

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