Make the room comfortable for all to view the movie and then create a circle to discuss.
It is widely believed that wisdom does not come with age. Nor does it come from outer occurrences. Rather, wisdom comes from integrating life experiences into one’s inner being. Christian wisdom takes conventional wisdom and adds to it one’s relationship with God.
While more life years might cultivate more opportunities for such integration, wisdom can be cultivated at any age.
By viewing a film in which theological themes arise– themes like self-discovery, service, community engagement, and so forth– youth are given the chance to connect these stories (outside of themselves) with their own inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Sharing such insights in a group allows all who are gathered to benefit from everyone’s perspectives.
Gather (5 minutes)
Engage (approx. 2 hours)
Watch film, and ask youth to keep these questions in mind:
1. Which character in the film do you like the best? What do you like about them?
2. Which character in this film is most like you?
2. Where do you see God in the story?
3. What themes in the film do you find most interesting?
Reflect (20 minutes)
Facilitator: These are just general questions. Please feel free to add your own and adapt them to the specific movie you chose.
1. Was the character you liked the best, and the one you identified with the most the same person? (Note: This is a good self-worth marker.)
2. What about this person stayed with you?
3. Where did you see God at work?
4. What themes did you observe? And how are these connected to what Christianity is about? (ie, Out of all the movies I could have chosen, why do you think I chose this one?)
Send Forth (5 minutes)