MOVIES THAT TEACH Information compiled by Lisa McPherson Youth Ministry Co-Ordinator Methodist Church In Ireland http:// www.thesource4ym.com/ videoclips/ MOVIE CLIP DISCUSSION STARTERS ARRANGED BY TOPIC abortion: Bella Accountability: Shrek Anger: Bruce Almighty (Angry at God) Gifted Hands Marine, The Patch Adams Waterboy, The Attitude: Remember the Titans Attitude Like Jesus Baptism: Fighting Temptations, The Belief: Bucket List, The Empire Strikes Back faith Evan Almighty- Trusting His Way The Invention of Lying Boundaries: Walk To Remember, A Changed by the Spirit: Gifted Hands Gridiron Gang, The (CHANGE) To Save A Life - Let This Change You Character: Batman Begins Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius Coach Carter Lord of the RingsFellowship (character) Miracle Oceanʼs Eleven Patriot, The (Our Actions) Saving Private Ryan Stranger Than Fiction (Character, Our Actions) Choices: 13 Going On 30 Gridiron Gang, The (FRIENDSHIP) Jerry Maguire Lion King, The Matrix, The (Choices) Simple Plan, A Spider Man II -Justifying Bad Choices Choosing Christ: Amistad Bucket List, The Daylight Jerry Maguire Smallville, Season Three, Episode 10 - Whisper Three Amigos, The (Lukewarm) Christmas: Elf (Spotting the Imposter) Elf- Saaanntaaa's Coming! God Grew Tired of Us How the Grinch Stole Christmas Commitment: Horton Hears a Who! Jerry Maguire Last Samurai, The Patriot, The (Our Actions) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Three Amigos, The (Lukewarm) Compassion: How the Grinch Stole Christmas Rabbit Proof Fence Radio The Blind Side To End All Wars Wide Awake Compromising: 24 - Season One, Episode One (TV Series) Conforming to the World: 24 - Season One, Episode One (TV Series) Aeon Flux Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King (Sin) Planes, Trains and Automobiles Depression: Hotel Rwanda – (When All Seems Lost) Island, The Courage: 17 Again Bolt Bugʼs Life, A (replace fear with courage) Coach Carter Day After Tomorrow, The Million Dollar Baby Stranger Than Fiction (courage, when life stinks) The Book of Eli (God's Will) Titanic Discipline: Last Samurai, The Dating: What A Girl Wants End Times: 2012 Elf- Saaanntaaa's Coming! Death: Bucket List, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The The Sixth Sense Titanic Decision Making/ Discretion: Freaky Friday Planes, Trains and Automobiles Saving God - 10 Seconds The Blind Side Discouragement: Evan Almighty Persecution Million Dollar Baby Shawshank Redemption, The Easter: Amistad Ben Hur Most - The Bridge Evangelism: Bolt Day After Tomorrow, The How the Grinch Stole Christmas Letters to God Nacho Libre Pay it Forward (evangelism, impacting others) The Sixth Sense Titanic Walk the Line Wide Awake Evidence for God: Happening, The The Invention of Lying Evolution vs. Intelligent Design: Expelled Faith: Amistad Bruce Almighty (Angry at God) Bucket List, The Contact - faith Count of Monte Cristo (Faith and Hope) Empire Strikes Back faith Happening, The Hotel Rwanda (Actions) Minority Report Patriot, The (Our Actions) Shawshank Redemption, The The Butterfly Circus The Invention of Lying To Save A Life Faithfulness: Horton Hears a Who! Remember the Titans (Staying Faithful) Father-the heart of God: Lion King, The Martian Child Vertical Limit Focus: Island, The Jarhead Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Smallville, Season Three, Episode 10 - Whisper Following Christ: Remember the Titans Attitude Like Jesus To Save A Life Transformers Forgiveness: Chronicles of Narnia, The - A Forgiven Past Chronicles of Narnia, The - Jesus Forgives Deep Impact Forgiveness Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Ghost Rider Gridiron Gang, The (FORGIVENESS) Hidalgo (salvation) Interpreter, The Invictus Kingdom of Heaven Les Misérables Lion King, The Munich Pay it Forward (forgiveness) Schindler's List (guilt/ regret/forgiveness) Schindler's List (power/ forgiveness) Shrek Spy Kids 3 D - Game Over The Day the Earth Stood Still Friendship: Gridiron Gang, The (FRIENDSHIP) Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (friendship) Shrek Walk the Line Fruits of the Spirit: Gridiron Gang, The (CHANGE) Martian Child Most - The Bridge God's Will: The Book of Eli (God's Will) God's Word/The Bible: Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade Gospel Message: Amistad Evan Almighty- Trusting His Way Hidalgo (salvation) Most - The Bridge Fulfillment: Island, The Kid, The (A) Three Amigos, The (Thirst) Greed: Over the Hedge Future: Gridiron Gang, The (FRIENDSHIP) Guilt/Conviction: Schindler's List (guilt/ regret/forgiveness) God- Who He is: Blood Diamond Bruce Almighty (Angry at God) Lion King, The Martian Child Signs Hate: Blood Done Sign My Name Munich God's Love: Armageddon Blood Diamond Growing Up: Kid, The (B) Heavenly Treasure: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Heroes: Spiderman II - Everybody Loves A Hero Superman Returns Holy Spirit: Gridiron Gang, The (CHANGE) Hope: Count of Monte Cristo (Faith and Hope) Shawshank Redemption, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The The Butterfly Circus Identity: 16 Blocks Bourne Identity, The Idols: Blades of Glory Impacting Others: 17 Again Coach Carter Day After Tomorrow, The Letters to God Pay it Forward (evangelism, impacting others) Radio To Save A Life - Let This Change You Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius Horton Hears a Who! Jesus: Amistad Ben Hur Daylight Elf (Spotting the Imposter) Superman Returns Joy: Beautiful Mind, A Island, The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King (worry) Judging others: Pacifier, The (don't rush to judgement) Shrek (Judging Others) Knowing Jesus-Our Shepherd: Elf (Spotting the Imposter) Leadership: Bugʼs Life, A (replace fear with courage) Remember the Titans Attitude Like Jesus Remember the Titans (C) Legacy: Kid, The (A) Integrity/Honesty: Life by the Spirit: One, The Love: Armageddon Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story How the Grinch Stole Christmas Nacho Libre Shaolin Soccer Star Trek (2009) Love Your Enemies: Babe: Pig in the City Les Misérables Letters to God Rabbit Proof Fence To End All Wars Lukewarm: Three Amigos, The (Lukewarm) Materialism: Over the Hedge Simple Plan, A Mercy: Ben Hur Gridiron Gang, The (FORGIVENESS) New Creation: 16 Blocks No Regrets/Lost Opportunity: 13 Going On 30 Day After Tomorrow, The Kid, The (A) Our Actions: 13 Going On 30 17 Again Batman Begins Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius Hotel Rwanda (Actions) Patriot, The (Our Actions) Remember the Titans Attitude Like Jesus Stranger Than Fiction (Character, Our Actions) The Blind Side The Book of Eli (Our Actions) To Save A Life To Save A Life - Let This Change You Our Place in this World: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Perseverance: G.I.Joe, Season 1, Part 2 (Cartoon Series Clip) Lost: Season One Episode 7, “The Moth” Million Dollar Baby Racism: Munich Remember the Titans Attitude Like Jesus Remember the Titans (Staying Faithful) Power: Schindler's List (power/ forgiveness) Reconciliation: Invictus Praise: Beautiful Mind, A Prayer: Bruce Almighty (Pain with Purpose) Bruce Almighty - (Prayer) Evan Almighty - Prayer Evan Almighty- Trusting His Way Hotel Rwanda – (When All Seems Lost) Meet The Parents (Understanding Prayer) Saving God - Talk to God Talladega Nights (The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) Passion for Jesus: Ever After Pride: Dark Knight, The Persecution: Evan Almighty Persecution Letters to God Remember the Titans (Staying Faithful) Purpose: Bourne Identity, The Island, The Kid, The (A) The Butterfly Circus Regret: Schindler's List (guilt/ regret/forgiveness) Relationships: Freaky Friday What A Girl Wants Repentance: The Blind Side Revenge: 24, Season Three, Episode 15 (3:00AM) Count of Monte Cristo Interpreter, The Munich Sacrifice: Deep Impact Hart's War Saving Private Ryan Star Trek (2009) Vertical Limit Second Chance: Ghost Rider Second Coming: 2012 Elf- Saaanntaaa's Coming! Self Control: Pacifier, The (self control) Saving God - 10 Seconds Self-Esteem: Kid, The (B) Mean Girls Serving Others: Hart's War Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (friendship) Ocean's Twelve Star Trek (2009) Sin: 24 - Season One, Episode One (TV Series) Hidalgo (salvation) Kingdom of Heaven Lion King, The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King (Sin) Marine, The Oceanʼs Eleven One, The The Day the Earth Stood Still Sinful Nature: One, The Soldier in Christ: Jarhead Spiritual Gifts: Lord of the RingsFellowship (Spiritual Gifts) Spiritual Warfare: 3:10 To Yuma Avatar Jarhead Struggling: Lost: Season One Episode 7, “The Moth” Temptation: 24 - Season One, Episode One (TV Series) 3:10 To Yuma Hidalgo (temptation) The Book of Eli (God's Will) Thankfulness: Beautiful Mind, A Thirsting for God/ Spiritual Hunger: Three Amigos, The (Thirst) Trusting God: Evan Almighty- Trusting His Way Minority Report Patch Adams Superman Returns We Were Soldiers-(Trusting God in hard times) Unity: Remember the Titans (C) When Life Stinks: Bruce Almighty (Pain with Purpose) Bruce Almighty (Angry at God) Count of Monte Cristo Evan Almighty Persecution Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade Kid, The (B) Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King (worry) Patch Adams Signs Stranger Than Fiction (courage, when life stinks) Tears of the Sun We Were Soldiers-(Trusting God in hard times) Worry: Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King (worry) Shrek DreamWorks Pictures, 2001 Main Point of Discussion: Accountability and forgiveness are key ingredients for authentic friendships. The Movie Clip: "'Cause thatʼs what friends do. They forgive each other." Shrek is a fun movie that most kids have seen and love. It has some great clips that illustrate how friends should treat each other. The clip we're using for this discussion shows Donkey's persistence and forgiveness toward his friend Shrek—Donkey urges Shrek to be forgiving and a true friend too. Before the Meeting: Gather 3x5 cards and pencils for each person and pass them out to the small group leaders. You'll also need to supply the leaders with small, stamped envelopes (best if they're pre-labeled with students' names and addresses) because they'll be sending these cards back to the students at the end of the week. Introducing the Clip: Shrek is an entertaining movie loaded with great conversations between Shrek the ogre and Donkey, his pushy-but-loyal friend. This scene takes place after Donkey and Shrek have attempted to rescue Fiona the Princess. Shrek is disappointed and angry, as is Donkey. Watch this conflict unfold. Scene Script: BEGIN CLIP AT Scene 16, when the counter number reads 1:11:24. (Their argument takes place outside Shrekʼs house in the swamp. Start the clip at the beginning of the argument.) Donkey: Come back here! Iʼm not through with you yet! Shrek: Well, Iʼm through with you! Donkey: Uh-uh. You know you are always, “Me, Me, Me.” Well now itʼs my turn. So you just shut up and pay attention. You are mean to me. You insult me, and you donʼt appreciate anything I do. You are always pushing me around or pushing me away. Shrek: Oh yeah? Well if I treated you so bad, how come you came back? Donkey: 'Cause thatʼs what friends do. They forgive each other. Shrek: Oh yeah, Donkey, I forgive you…for stabbing me in the back! Donkey: Oh! You are so wrapped up in layers, Onion Boy, youʼre afraid of your own feelings! Shrek: Go away! Donkey: See! There you go, doinʼ it again just like you did to Fiona. All she ever did was like you, maybe even love you. Shrek: Love me? She said I was ugly. A hideous creature! I heard the two of you talking. Donkey: She wasnʼt talking about you. She was talking about somebody else. Shrek: She wasnʼt talking about me? Then who was she talking about? Donkey: Uh-uh. No way. I ainʼt sayinʼ anything. You donʼt want to listen to me. Right? Right? Shrek: Donkey… Donkey: No! Shrek: Okay, look; Iʼm sorry. Alright? Iʼm sorry. I guess I am just a big, stupid, ugly ogre. Can you forgive me? Donkey: Hey, thatʼs what friends are for, right? Shrek: Right. Friends? Donkey: Friends! END CLIP AT Scene 17. Transitional Statement: In this scene we see resentment and harsh words. There has obviously been conflict brewing, and these two friends are at a crucial point. Will they divide, like the swamp, or will they unite, through honest conversation and forgiveness? Donkey wants to hold Shrek accountable for his behavior; Shrek always pushes people away and doesnʼt accept love or friendship. But Shrek is upset because heʼs lost Fiona, and Donkey is on his case. We've all had (or will have) moments like this in our relationships. Conflict will be something we work through or something that breaks us up and ends relationships. As you move into small groups, begin to think about conflict that you've been a part of with friends or teachers or family membersmaybe even other students in this room. Divide into Small Groups: Letʼs go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward weʼll come back together for a final word. Discussion Questions: AROUND THE CIRCLE: Before we begin, let's go around the circle. Say your name and tell us about your favorite pet ever. ASK A COUPLE: Share about a time when you and a friend fought, and finally one of you had to say you were sorry. ASK A FEW: How do you feel when there's conflict between you and someone else? ASK A FEW: Being forgiven feels good--so why do you suppose we take so long to ask for forgiveness? people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. ASK A FEW: When do we as Christians need to “reach out and help” our friends? As Christians we should surround ourselves with others who can support us in our beliefs. Read the following passage: AROUND THE CIRCLE: Name some good “friend” qualities. ASK A FEW: Now share the name of someone (this person might not even be your best friend--donʼt just reflexively name your best friend) who possesses these qualities. ASK A FEW: Which of these friend qualities do you possess? Are there other qualities that make you a good friend? One reason itʼs important to have high-quality “true” friends is so that you'll have others who stand up for whatʼs right (and help you to do the same). Read the following passage: Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT) If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. ASK A FEW: What can we “encourage” or “warn” our Christian friends about? ASK SOMEONE: What insight can Christian friends offer that unbelievers may not have? AROUND THE CIRCLE: Share about a time when thatʼs exactly what happened-–maybe a friend encouraged you, challenged your thinking, warned or confronted you about a questionable choice you made, or helped talk you out of doing something stupid. Or perhaps you've been the encouraging friend. Briefly share your experience. ASK A FEW: What are five specific actions we could take in this small group to be better friends to one another? Wrap Up: Iʼm giving each of you a 3x5 card. On the card write your name and phone number. Next, write down two qualities you need to develop in your character in order to be a better friend to others. Maybe itʼs one of the qualities we mentioned, or maybe God is nudging you about something new. Next, write down one specific (measurable) step you can make to get connected with more friends who are positive influences on you. After I collect these cards, I'll pray for you this week and call you by Friday to see if you've taken steps to accomplish your goal. Before we go back to the large group, Iʼd like to share what we've written and pray for each other here in our small group. Close in Prayer Remember the Titans Attitude Like Jesus Main Point of Discussion: Our attitudes greatly affect our behavior so make sure your attitude is like Jesusʼ. The Movie Clip: "The worst attitude I ever heard" In 1971, racial tensions were felt everywhere in America as school integration took place. When a black coach, Coach Boone (Denzel Washington), is named head coach of an integrated high school football team, the bitterness of a Virginia small town grows even greater. Remember the Titans is not just a story about high school football. Itʼs a story based on real-life events that shows how people must overcome their differences and cooperate with each another to achieve success and a better world. In the end, we also see that love can prevail over evil…if we let it. Introducing the Clip: Remember the Titans is one of those movies that could stir you to become a better person if you let it. The movie follows a newly appointed African-American head coach of a high school football team torn up with racism. The players and the coaches themselves, have to learn how to get along with each other and play as an interracial team in its first season together. In the scene I am about to show you, all the players have been ordered to learn something about each other as individuals--and until they do, they'll continue practicing three times a day inthe summer heat. Letʼs listen in on the conversation between Gerry (pronounced Gary) and Julius, a.k.a. “Big Ju,” to see what we can learn about them and their attitudes. Scene Script: BEGIN CLIP AT 29 minutes and 11 seconds (in Chapter 9). Gerry: All right, man listen. Iʼm Gerry, youʼre Julius. Letʼs get some particulars and just get this over with, all right? Julius: Particulars? Gerry: Yeah. Julius: No matter what I tell you, you ainʼt never gonna know nothin' about me. Gerry: Listen, I ainʼt runninʼ any more of these three-adays, ok? Julius: Well, what I got to say, you really donʼt want to hear ʻcause honesty ainʼt too high up on your peoplesʼ priority list, right? Gerry: Honesty? You want honesty? All right, honestly, I think youʼre nothin'. Nothin' but a pure waste of God-given talent. You donʼt listen to nobody, man. Not even Doc or Boone! Shiver push on the line every time, man. You blow right past ʼem! Push ʼem! Pull ʼem! Do something! You canʼt run over everybody in this league, and every time you do, you leave one of your teammates hanging out to dry – me in particular! Julius: Why should I give a hoot about you, huh? Or anybody else out there? You want to talk about a waste? You the captain, right? Gerry: Right. Julius: Captainʼs supposed to be the leader, right? Both of them are team leaders, and both of them allowed their bad attitudes to negatively affect them – and others – on the field and off the field. Attitudes always affect behavior, either for good or for bad. Thatʼs true for you and me; therefore, we must make sure our attitude is like Jesusʼ. Gerry: Right. Julius: You got a job? Gerry: I have a job. Julius: You been doinʼ your job? Gerry: Iʼve been doinʼ my job. Julius: Then why donʼt you tell your white buddies to block for Rev better? ʻCause they have not blocked for him worth a plugged nickel, and you know it! Nobody plays! Yourself included! Iʼm supposed to wear myself out for the team? What team?! No, No. What Iʼm gonna do is, Iʼm gonna look out for myself, and Iʼm gonna get mine. Gerry: See, man? Thatʼs the worst attitude I ever heard. Divide into Small Groups: Letʼs go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward weʼll come back together for a final word. Discussion Questions: AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we begin, letʼs all take a second to share our names and our favorite sports. ASK A FEW: What's wrong with these two guysʼ attitudes from the clip? ASK SOMEONE: In what ways are their bad attitudes affecting others? ASK A FEW: Since they are leaders and play on the same team, what should their attitudes have reflected? Julius: Attitude reflects leadership, Captain. END CLIP AT 30 minutes and 49 seconds. ASK A FEW: Do you believe Christians display bad attitudes from time to time? Transition Statement: In this clip, we just saw two guys with really poor attitudes. ASK A FEW: When Christians show bad attitudes, what are some of the outcomes? ASK A FEW: What should a Christianʼs attitude reflect? Read the following passage: Philippians 2:5-11 (NLT) 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. 8 When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminalʼs death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ASK SOMEONE: Point blank: what should our attitude be like? ASK SOMEONE: By now we know that attitude affects behavior, for good or bad. What did Jesusʼ attitude cause Him to do? (Leaders – verses 6-8 tell us all the good that Jesus did) ASK A FEW: Does this sound like an attitude that you want to model? Why or why not? ASK A FEW: We have also talked about ways in which our attitudes affect others. In what ways has Christʼs attitude – from 2000 years ago – affected you? ASK SOMEONE: Jesus had an awesome attitude, and as a result, He had an incredible life. What did God the Father do for Him as a result? (Leaders – verses 9-11 talk about the outcome) AROUND THE CIRCLE: Do you think you can make your attitude like Jesusʼ attitude? Why or why not? ASK A FEW: What will happen if you do? What will happen if you do not? AROUND THE CIRCLE: Specifically, what will you do this week to make sure your attitude looks like the attitude Jesus had? Wrap Up: Tonight we saw the damaging effects that poor attitudes can have on us and those around us. In the clip, we saw two football players with selfish attitudes, and their attitudes revealed themselves in negative ways, on and off the field. Bad attitudes are not restricted to the movies, though. Sometimes you and I can develop bad attitudes. When we do, our actions tend to mirror our bad attitudes. And when our attitudes and actions as Christians become poor, not only do we pay a price, but so do others! As Christians, we have tons of reasons to have great attitudes. First, we know that Jesus has died for us to forgive our sins. Second, we know the future God has planned for us in Heaven. Third, we are told to model an attitude like the attitude Jesus had. Itʼs that simple. As Christians, our role in the world is very important. Others desperately need us to live our lives like Jesus lived His so they'll see Jesus in us and be more likely to place their faith in Him. For us to live like Jesus, we must have an attitude like Jesus had. In this short passage we see that Jesus was “humble” and “obedient” and was willing to give Himself as a sacrifice for others. If our attitude is like Jesusʼ, our actions will be like Jesusʼ, and the world will notice it. Letʼs make sure we have that kind of attitude! Close in Prayer