Ahh, 7th Heaven, that delightful little show that ran no fewer than 11 seasons straight. In 243 episodes, it certainly has its fair share of cheesy moments, not limited to the groan-inducing kissing scenes between the Reverend and his wife Annie, but when all was said and done, the show did more to address important family and community issues than just about anything on television today.

So now that the Camdens have arrived at gmc’s doorstep (on 7/7/7 for those of you who didn’t catch it), we pause to consider 7 of the top life lessons from the first season of the show.

gmc’s 7th Heaven Summer continues as it finds its summer home Tuesdays at 9 & 10 pm et and weekdays at 5 & 6 pm et.

#1
The episode: “The Color of God”
The lesson: Love thy neighbor.
In 1996, a shocking rash of arson fires destroyed more than 60 black churches in the south. The 7th Heaven writers address the topic in this true-to-life account of race relations. Rev. and Mrs. Camden respond quickly to their friends’ crisis when their church burns to the ground, inviting them to worship in their church and stay in their home. While the younger Camden siblings have no trouble welcoming the unexpected guests, Matt, Mary and Lucy have a more difficult time. Watching the older kids slowly forge new relationships, the episode finally culminates with the community pulling together to pray for peace and healing. The Camdens teach us that despite the racial tension that still exists today, ultimately what counts is extending a helping hand to a friend in need.

#2
The episode: “America’s Most Wanted”
The lesson: The truth always comes out.
The Camden kids struggle with a variety of common school-age woes, from plagiarism to peer pressure. Mary and Lucy are both learning the importance of honesty when Lucy comes up on a class deadline. When a misunderstanding prompts Matt to be arrested, the Camdens attempt to set the record straight but to no avail. Everything comes to a head in the final courtroom scene when the truth comes out about what has transpired, and the judge issues his sentence.

#3
The episode: “Seven Is Enough”
The lesson: All’s well that ends well.
The Camden family dynamic is put in jeopardy when Eric decides he’d like to adopt a young boy. Peter Graves and Barbara Rush guest star as Colonel and Mrs. Camden senior, who’ve come for a visit and also form a relationship with the orphan. None of the Camden children seem too enthused about the prospect of a new family member. Meanwhile, Matt plays a role in a heartwarming twist, as Annie Camden’s stolen wedding rings are returned.

#4
The episode: “Happy’s Valentine”
The lesson: Responsibility is a privilege, not a right.
When Annie and Eric leave to go on a weekend camping trip, the Camden kids use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take the house by storm. Mary and her friend Keesha invite a few friends over to watch a movie, which turns into a full-blown party by the time Matt and his friend John bring their dates back home. The party is broken up when Sgt. Michaels arrives with the news that he found Happy on the side of the road, injured, and that she had been taken to the animal hospital. The Camdens all rush to be by Happy’s side before finding out if she will recover or not.

#5
The episode: “Choices”
The lesson: The punishment will fit the crime.
After sitting in detention, Mary is invited to the mall by Camille, a classmate known for her rowdy reputation. When Camille invites Mary to a party that she isn’t allowed to go to, the “bad girl” in Camille starts to rub off on Mary, as she convinces Lucy to help her sneak out of the house to attend the party. Things start to get out of hand when Camille gives Mary a dress that she stole from the mall and the frat party is too chaotic for Mary to handle. Matt has to come to the rescue when Camille refuses to take Mary home, resulting in grim consequences for Mary’s actions.

#6
The episode: “Dangerous Liasons Part 1”
The lesson: Keep it in perspective.
In the wake of her mother’s death, Annie wants to make sure everything is perfect when her father arrives for a visit. A special guest, her dad’s new girlfriend Ginger, takes her by surprise. She struggles with the new love interest, but she’s not the only Camden with problems – Matt’s date with the girl next door goes sour after she’s teased for her hearing impairment. Mary’s date with her newfound beau goes awry when his masculinity feels threatened (he’s also hiding a BIG secret that is revealed by the end of the episode) and even little Lucy isn’t pleased with her new highlights. It all comes to a head as Annie flees church when her father and Ginger arrive, with Mary chasing after her, only to fall victim to a tragic accident outside.

#7
The episode: “Dangerous Liasons Part 2”
The lesson: Live life to the fullest.
The Camden family is faced with their biggest struggle yet, as oldest daughter Mary is hospitalized while everyone waits patiently to hear her status. As Annie’s father enters the waiting room, she vents her frustration with his new relationship. Their conversation is interrupted when the doctor arrives with an update about Mary; there is a long road to recovery ahead of them, but Mary makes a promise the accident won’t ruin her life. In the end it’s only the littlest Camden Ruthie who can open Annie’s eyes and heart enough to listen to her father and resolve their issues. When they arrive home from the hospital, the love of family renews their faith.