These Stones Episode 5 “Force of Habit” Study Guide
These Stones Episode 5 “Force of Habit” Study Guide
This week’s episode deals with themes of addiction, betrayal and redemption.
Episode Summary
In this week’s episode of These Stones, McKenna aids Courier Jacob in helping Olivia, a drug-addled news reporter who lands on the streets after selling out her sister, Lily, for a fix.
Since McKenna has experienced the devastating effects of addiction firsthand, she steps in to offer support and guidance to Lily. Lily has a large donation of her late father’s things to give to the charity shop McKenna works at. While loading up Mckenna’s truck, Lily receives foreclosure notice – before his death, Olivia tricked their father into putting the house into a trust in her name only & has now managed to put the house into pre-foreclosure. Emotional, Lily shares that she & Olivia initially moved in together to care for their late father. However, Olivia’s job as a reporter was 24/7 & left her little time for much else, so Lily put nursing school on hold to care for him herself. Soon, following a car accident, Olivia became addicted to pain medications and lost her job.
Meanwhile, Olivia is looking to score, her dealer has been busted by the police. In steps “Jake,” disguised as a drug dealer experiencing homelessness, who tells her that he can help. Olivia, a bit guarded, assumes that he recognizes her from her TV news career & her infamous fall from grace, but tells her that she’s “not the only one whose personal fails are out there for the world to see.” “Jake” (who by this point has revealed himself to be Jacob from the Book of Genesis) can relate to Olivia because like her, he was deceitful to his father & conned his own brother, Esau, out of his birthright. However, whereas his tricks had repercussions for the generations after him, he reassures her that her story doesn’t have to end there – she can come clean about her double life and find a way to make it up to her sister. Inspired, Olivia posts about her struggles on social media & shares the unedited truth about her addiction and invites viewers to join her on her sobriety journey when she checks herself into rehab.
Olivia’s story is proof that, despite the destructive cycle of addiction she finds herself in, “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). By admitting her drug addiction to the public, she takes a very brave first step into God’s tender care. She can now confidently embark on the road to recovery because she knows that His presence in her life is stronger than any chemical high.
Humble Pie à la These Stones
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even, Christ… – Ephesians 4:15
In the Bible, Jacob’s story is filled with moments of deceit and eventual reconciliation. Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright with a bowl of stew when Esau was famished (Genesis 25:29-34). Later, with the help of his mother Rebekah, Jacob deceived his father Isaac into giving him the blessing meant for Esau by pretending to be his brother (Genesis 27:1-29).
Despite these actions, Jacob’s journey didn’t end in deceit. After many years, Jacob sought to make amends with Esau. He sent gifts ahead of him to appease Esau and approached him with humility and repentance. When they finally met, Esau ran to meet Jacob, embraced him, and they wept together, signifying their reconciliation (Genesis 33:1-4).
Mooch a little humble pie off our Courier Jacob. Have you ever colluded, manipulated the truth, lied, or broken your word to get your way or something you felt entitled to have? If you haven’t already, confess now and ask the Lord for forgiveness. Is there anything you can do to make things right with anyone you’ve wronged?
If you’re curious to discover even more insights and discussion prompts related to These Stones, check out the show’s official devotional book available to purchase on Amazon. Written by the show’s creators, Susan Rohrer & Cheryl McKay, this handbook will provide real-life applications and deeper explore themes presented in the series.
Zoie Taylor is the Streaming Coordinator for UP Faith & Family. She loves all things TV & Film. Her top 3 titles on UPFF are Heartland, Wildfire, and The Engagement Plot. Her favorite Heartland characters are Lisa and Jessica.
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