So I don’t know about you, but I love the show Saved by the Bell. I loved it growing up and I still love it. It makes my day when I catch an episode on TV and I’m not ashamed to admit I own the seasons on DVD. I spent many days of my youth learning from Zack Morris and friends and really, those lessons are still pretty good today. So without further ado, I present to you, lessons learned from Saved by the Bell.
- No Hope With Dope. Let’s start obvious and simple. In this episode, the gang is all excited as one of their favorite stars chooses Bayside for his anti-drug commercial, only to discover he is a drug user himself. Two valuable lessons are learned here. The first being, drugs are not the answer. The second lesson, digging a bit deeper here (but c’mon, it’s Saved by
the Bell) is that celebrities are not perfect. Simple enough. Let’s continue. - Cream For A Day. In this episode, Screech accidentally discovers a zit cream and Zack tries to profit from it. The problem occurs when they realize it turns faces maroon and the homecoming queen, Kelly, bought some. Lesson here: even homecoming queens get zits!
- Zack’s War. In this episode, Mr. Belding forces Zack to join the Army Cadet Corps. Zack gets to choose the teams for competition and, wanting to hurt A.C.’s chances of winning, splits the group up unevenly only to discover he will be leading the “dorks.” After wanting to quit, Zack decides to stay with his team of “dorks.” Lesson here: underdogs can win.
- Save the Max. In this episode, the gang discovers Bayside’s old radio station and, after begging Mr. Belding, get it back on the air, taking turns to go on air. When their favorite hangout, the Max, is looking to close, the gang uses the station to get students to help save the Max. Lesson here: when we pool our talents together, great things can be accomplished.
- The Lisa Card. In this episode, Lisa’s father gives her his credit card in order to make a purchase. After going overboard, the gang helps her sell the items so she can repay her father. Lesson here: everything
in moderation. No need for greed. - The Friendship Business. In this episode, the gang sells friendship bracelets for a class project. After Zack declares himself boss, division occurs. Lesson here: when we focus on making more, we lose sight of who we’re hurting.
- 1-900-Crushed. In this episode, Zack gets the idea to give advice to students. After Lisa quits, he starts giving bad advice and has to deal with the consequences. Lesson here: if you promise advice, you better be willing to listen.
- Date Auction. In this episode, a date auction is held to raise money for new cheerleading uniforms. When an overweight girl bids on Zack and wins, he must tell the truth after she finds out why he makes excuses to avoid going out with her. Lesson here: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- Pipe Dreams. In this episode, the gang is excited when Bayside strikes oil. After some of their class animals get caught in an oil spill, however, they begin to realize the costs outweigh the benefits.
Lesson here: the end doesn‘t justify the means. - Screech’s Birthday. In this episode, after forgetting his birthday, the gang goes through all lengths to make up for it by throwing Screech a birthday party in Belding’s office. Lesson here: real friends will do anything for you.
Now, that’s merely 10 lessons. There’s hundreds more in that genius of a show. Seriously! I want to offer one last reflection though. This, however, doesn’t come from the theme of an episode; it comes from a famous line within it.
In the episode entitled “Jessie’s Song,” Jessie boldly cries out a line,
In a true nail biting, tear jerking moment, you can feel your heart breaking for this character…or at least I can. C’mon now-doesn’t anybody else remember it? The reason I bring it up is because I think it’s a great line for what I’m feeling with the World Race. Don’t get me wrong, I am much more excited than anything else right now but, I’d be lying if I didn’t say part of me is scared too. I think in this moment, Jessie was vulnerable. She was literally crying out. Though I’m not at the point of fear where I feel like outwardly crying, I am at a point where I need to be vulnerable with my God. I need to be vulnerable and cry out, “God, take this fear from me.” If I wasn’t scared right now, I think that’d be weird. It’d probably be unnatural. But that doesn’t mean God can’t make that happen! I’m so excited!
If you want to see some of these good ol’ episodes, just click here and you can watch them all. I mean, c’mon. Why wouldn’t you want to watch a show where you can hear lines like this—Mr. Belding:
Zack, I am not a matador so take the bull outside. Anyway, enjoy 🙂
