The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

Year: 2008

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Rich Christiano

FamilyDrama

The carefree summer of 1970 for twelve‑year‑old friends Dustin, Albert and Mark is altered when Dustin meets 75‑year‑old Jonathan Sperry while mowing his lawn. Sperry shares timeless lessons of faith with the trio, prompting a subtle but profound spiritual transformation that reshapes their outlook and bonds.

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Timeline – The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (2008)

Trace every key event in The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Three friends and a shy crush

Dustin, Albert and Mark are twelve-year-old friends looking forward to a carefree summer. Dustin harbors a crush on Tanya and struggles to work up the courage to ask her out. Meanwhile, the town bully Nick also wants Tanya, setting up a rivalry that will shape their summer.

Summer 1970 Neighborhood
2

Dustin meets Mr. Sperry

Dustin mows the lawn of 75-year-old Jonathan Sperry, a man he has seen at church. Their first exchanges are warm, and Sperry begins to see potential in the boy beyond the rough surface. This small act starts an unexpected friendship that anchors the rest of the summer.

Summer 1970 Mr. Sperry's yard
3

Bible study begins

Sperry starts a Bible study with Dustin and his friends and challenges them to be kind to Nick. He even pays Dustin to mow Mr. Barnes's lawn, telling him not to tell Barnes who the sponsor is. The study expands as more neighborhood kids join, all drawn by Sperry's message.

Summer 1970 Mr. Sperry's home
4

Neighborhood joins; Nick reforms

As the weeks pass, more boys join the Bible study, and Nick begins to reform after a few encounters with Sperry. The group's camaraderie grows as they practice Sperry's lessons in daily life. The neighborhood begins to see kindness as a power stronger than bullying.

Summer 1970 Neighborhood
5

Dustin confesses to Tanya

Dustin finally tells Tanya how much he likes her, but instead of asking her to date, he suggests she start reading the Bible. The moment reveals Dustin's values and his belief that a shared faith could be meaningful. Tanya's response is left open, reflecting the story's focus on personal growth.

Summer 1970 Tanya's vicinity
6

Sperry dies; crowd gathers

Dustin rides by Sperry's house and finds a crowd gathered for the elder man's death. The community mourns the passing of a man who had connected with so many kids. Sperry's death marks a turning point for the Bible study and its participants.

Summer 1970 Mr. Sperry's home
7

Funeral and Barnes gratitude

After the funeral, Mr. Barnes visits Dustin to thank him for mowing his lawn and reveals that Sperry inspired him to change. Barnes tearfully calls Sperry a great example of a Christian man. The moment deepens Dustin's understanding of Sperry's impact on others.

Shortly after Sperry's death Sperry's funeral
8

Backstory revealed

Dustin's mother reveals the secret background between Sperry and Barnes: Sperry's wife died four years earlier in a car accident caused by Barnes, who was drunk. The revelation reframes the kindness Sperry showed as a path to reconciliation and forgiveness. Dustin begins to see how forgiveness can heal grief.

Shortly after Barnes' visit Dustin's home
9

Continuing Sperry's lessons

Inspired by Sperry's kindness, Dustin decides to continue the Bible study with the neighborhood boys and repeats Sperry's first lesson. The group keeps meeting and learning, carrying Sperry's message into their everyday actions. Their shared purpose gives the summer a lasting direction.

Following the events of 1970 Neighborhood
10

Years pass; Tanya's faith grows

Over the years, the four boys go their separate ways. Tanya grows in faith and becomes a Christian, but Dustin and Tanya never date. The neighbors watch and reflect on how a simple bible study changed their lives in lasting ways.

Early to mid-1970s Town
11

Barnes' death and friendship

Mr. Barnes becomes a good friend to Dustin before he dies four years after Sperry's death. The friendship represents how Sperry's influence continued to ripple through the community. Dustin carries those memories as a steady moral compass.

Four years after Sperry's death Neighborhood
12

Albert and Mark's paths

Albert goes into Christian radio shows, spreading faith through media, while Mark becomes a creationist biology professor. Their paths show how Sperry's example influenced their choices later in life. The studies and discussions he inspired continued beyond their childhood.

Years after 1970 Various, in town and beyond
13

Dustin becomes pastor; Nick's faith

Dustin becomes the pastor of his church for 15 years, guiding his congregation with Sperry's Bible as a cornerstone. Nick grows into a faith-filled police officer, applying Sperry's lessons in service. The two paths illustrate the long-term impact of Sperry's mentorship.

Years after 1970s Dustin's church; Nick's precinct
14

Annual visits to Sperry's grave

Each year, the four boys visit Sperry's grave and share lemonade together, keeping the memory of his kindness alive. The ritual marks a lasting friendship that extends beyond their youth. The scene underscores the enduring power of mentorship and faith.

Every year after Sperry's death Sperry's grave

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:47

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