Move Clip Bible Study

M o v i e C l i p B i b l e S t u d y

Clip Summary and Set-up: Les Miserables is a film in which an ambitious police officer (Javert) is trying to capture a criminal (Jean Val jean) who in his previous life had escaped from prison but has now repented of that life (due to favor from a priest shown to him right after his escape) and has successfully started over and is

a city leader and righteous politician. Javert is the newly appointed deputy of the city recognizes Jean Val Jean from his ealier life and tries to capture and sentence him for the criminal activites of his former life. The movie shows the subsequent chase between the justice-loving Javert and the newly redeemed Jean Val Jean. The movie

depicts a number of scenes that show the distinction between law and grace and forgiveness versus justice motifs. Scene one depicts his jail break and his subsequent life change by the good treatment of the town priest.

Les Miserable

WORD: GRACE

MOVIE: LES MISERABLE, 2000

CLIP: SCENE 1

VERSE: EPHESIANS 1:7

DIAGRAM: CROSS

BIBLICAL PARALLELS - P. 2 DIAGRAM - P. 3 DISCUSSION - P. 4

GRACEEphesians 1:7

Picking the Topic

FInd a word that communicates the subject matter most concisely, clearly, and

comprehensively. Think about the needs of your audience as you select your topic and make sure that your topic is biblically accurate and gospel-centered. The basics

of Christianity are the most misunderstood, yet most precious topics and one should look to start here. Usually

defining what a word is and what it is not is a good way to start and will give the audience a good reference point.

“WITH THIS SILVER, I BOUGHT YOUR SOUL, RANSOMED YOU FROM FEAR AND HATRED AND NOW HAVE GIVEN YOU BACK TO GOD” ~BISHOP

The MovieSet the Clip up with a movie context/summary and a lead in question. It is always helpful to fill people in where the scene falls in the stage of the movie (Only

give them the details that are needed to get the point you are trying to make.) Also, give your audience a lead in question.

This will tell them what to look for in the clip. Finally, look to make as many connections as you can from the clip with

reality - this will provide your transition to the verse.

Incorporating the BibleFind a Scripture that captures the truth you are looking to communicated clearly

and accurately. Try to find one that contains the word that you are focusing on for the study. This is the ground for

everything we are trying to communicate up until this point and we will build the discussion questions off of it.

BIBLIC AL PARALLELS

INTRODUCTION

TOPIC: GRACE, MERCY

DEFINE: GRACE - GETTING WHAT YOU DO NOT DESERVE

! MERCY - NOT GETTING WHAT YOU DO DESERVE

EXAMPLE: (WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN TREATED BETTER THAN YOU DESERVE)

CLIP

LEAD-IN QUESTION:

WHAT WAS SURPRISING ABOUT HOW THE PRIEST TREATED JEAN VAL

JEAN? SHOW AN EXAMPLE OF MERCY AND GRACE FROM THE CLIP.

TRANSITION QUESTION:

HOW IS THIS A COMPARISION/CONTRAST OF HOW GOD DEALS WITH US?

CONNECTIONS:

WhAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR JEAN VAL JEANS LIFE CHANGE? - YOU CAN SEE

A DISTINCT CONTRAST BETWEEN HOW HIS FEAR (HIS DREAM) AND LOVE

(THE BISHOP) MOTIVATED JEAN VAL JEANS ACTIONS.

• BISHOP - CHRIST FIGURE

• CANDLESTICKS - CHRIST FIGURE

• JEAN VAL JEAN - HUMANITY

• JEAN VAL JEANS THEFT - OUR SIN

SCRIPTURE

"IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF

OUR TRESPASSES ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE.” ~

EPHESIANS 1:7

IF GOD IS GRACIOUS, THEN HE WANTS TO FORGIVE. YET FORGIVENESS IS

NOT FREE, BUT COSTLY. THEREFORE THE PRICE GOD PAYS FOR OUR

FORGIVENESS IS THE REDEMPTION PAID BY CHRIST’S BLOOD.

DiagramsPREPARATION!

1. HAVE A WHITE BOARD READY

2. DRAW IT CLEARLY, LEGIBLY

3. SPEAK AS YOU DRAW AND DRAW IT IN ORDER OF YOUR ARGUMENT.

4. MAKE SURE THE AUDIENCE

IS CLEAR ON HOW THE DIAGRAM ANSWERS THE QUESTION OR DESCRIBES THE TOPIC.

5. ASK THEM TO IDENTIFY WITH ONE OF TWO SCENARIOS

A PICTURE OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE IN ACTION

!

DIAGRAM

Diagrams are often very helpful because most people are visual learners. Anytime you can find a picture to reinforce words or biblical truth it almost always clarifies, sharpens, and clears up misunderstanding. Pictures can speak a thousand

words.

Look for drawings or ideas that are simple but capture a lot of meaning. A good test of simplicity is its reproducibility. Could the audience replicate this after one try? They need not be exhaustive, but are used to campture one main point.

The Cross DiagramThis diagram serves to answer the question, “How does God both do away with our just punishment and give us His righteousness?” In other words, How does God use mercy to keep us from getting what we do deserve and grace to grant us

what we do not deserve. The diagram starts with placing in “God” and the “man icon” apart from each other and drawing a line from God to man signifying his wrath poured out on us because of our sin. But, God absorbs that wrath by Himself through the cross of His Son and it is signified by a horizontal line drawn

across the vertical line. Thus, the cross absorbs God’s wrath meant for us and shows God’s mercy to us (not giving us what we do deserve). Then, the completed horizontal line highlights the cross as God’s new way of relating to us

in grace (giving us what we do not deserve) by giving us the perfection of Christ’s righteousness. Therefore, Christ gets the punishment and we get the perfection!

1. Wrath: God’s just punishment of Humanity because of our sin

3. Grace: God giving us what we don’t deserve - Christ righteousness

2. Mercy: God absorbing what we deserve-His wrath, by the cross of Christ.

DISCUSSION ? ’STopic – Grace Verse – Ephesians 1:7

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

1. Clarify/De3ine: Redemption, Forgiveness, Grace.

2. In your opinion, what is the main point of Eph. 1:7?

3. What is the relationship between God’s grace, God’s forgiveness, and God’s redemption?

4. What is central to God’s character that motivates his forgiveness? Does this change how you view God?

5. What did forgiveness cost God? Why?

Further Study – Ephesians 2:4-9

Topic – Grace Verse – Ephesians 1:7








Topic – Grace Verse – Ephesians 1:7









Clip Summary and Set-up: A Knight’s Tale is the story of William (Heath Ledger) seeking to improve his lot in life through the jousting. Jousting, typically a gentleman’s sport, was reserved only for those men were from more noble origins. It was a sport to be engaged only by gentleman. William, a peasant boy from ignoble heredity

was completely caught up in this jousting aura and dreamed of becoming a gentleman through rising the ranks of jousting. While William did become very proficient in jousting, he did so disguising his true family origins or else forfeit his chance for participation and even sought after nobility. The movie continues until William’s true idenity is

found out and he is arrested for a fraud. The remaining of the movie describes the events surrouding his dilemma and the source for his redemption.

A Knight’s Tale

WORD: ADOPTION

MOVIE: A KNIGHT’S TALE, 2001

CLIP: SCENE #26 “SIR WILLIAM” [5:29]

VERSE: GALATIANS 4:4-7

DIAGRAM: FAMILY


ADOPTIONGalatians 4:3-7

Picking the Topic





“THIS IS MY WORD, AND AS SUCH IS BEYOND CONTESTATION” ~PRINCE EDWARD








BIBLIC AL PARALLELS

INTRODUCTION

TOPIC: ADOPTION

DEFINE: LEGAL TRANSFER OF STATUS FROM ONE FAMILY TO ANOTHER

EXAMPLE: WHAT MAKES AN ADOPTION FINAL? (PAPERS THAT FORMALIZE

THE STATUS CHANGE) WHAT IS THE POINT OF AN ADOPTION? (TO GIVE A

CHILD A HOME AND THE PRIVILEGE OF A FAMILY)

CLIP

LEAD-IN QUESTION:

WHAT CHANGES WILLIAM’S STATUS? (WHO CHANGES IT AND HOW DOES

HE DO IT?)


WHY DID THE KING CHANGE WILLIAM’S STATUS? HOW IS THIS A

CONTRAST TO OUR SITUATION WITH GOD? HOW DOES THIS CONTRAST

CHANGE THE COST OF OUR ADOPTION? (OUR ADOPTION COST THE CROSS)

CONNECTIONS:

JUST AS PRINCE EDWARD CLOTHED HIMSELF WITH A HUMBLE DISGUISE TO

FREE WILLIAM FROM PUNISHMENT, SO TO DID OUR SAVIOR; BUT PLACED

HIMSELF IN THE STOCKS TO TAKE OUR PUNISHMENT AND GRANT US

ADOPTION.

• PRINCE EDWARD - CHRIST FIGURE

• WILLIAM - HUMANITY

• STOCKS - OUR LOOMING PUNISHMENT

SCRIPTURE

"BUT WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON,

BORN OF A WOMAN, BORN UNDER THE LAW, TO REDEEM THOSE WHO WERE

UNDER THE LAW, SO THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE ADOPTION AS SONS. AND

BECAUSE YOU ARE SONS, GOD HAS SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR

HEARTS, CRYING “ABBA! FATHER!” ~ GALATIANS 4:4-6

Birth! ! ! ! Adoption








HOW DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF GOD’S FAMILY?

!

DIAGRAM

Diagrams are often very helpful because most people are visual learners. Anytime you can find a picture to reinforce words or biblical truth it almost always clarifies, sharpens, and clears up misunderstanding. Pictures can speak a thousand

words.


The Family DiagramThis diagram serves to answer the question, “How do you become a member of God’s family?” First, draw God at the top and ask for some suggestions. After hearing them out draw a family at the bottom and ask them to answer another

question that might clarify things, “How does one become a member of a human family?” Tell them there are only 2 ways and ask them if they can name them. Write in “Birth” and “Adoption” and draw the arrows from the family to the two words. Explain that to become a member of a family a child must be born from them or

adopted by them. Then draw the same two arrows proceeding from the God icon and explain that it is the same process to become a member of God’s family. Only there is one key difference: we are not born or adopted, but we are born again

(John 1:12-13) and adopted (Gal. 4:5) into God’s family after we are saved.

!! !

OR

AND

DISCUSSION ? ’STopic – Adoption Verse – Galatians 4:4-6

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

1. What event, according to the verse, makes our adoption possible? What did it cost God to adopt us?

2. What are the bene<its of our adoption? How are these similar to human family adoptions?

3. Explain what it means to be an heir of God? What do we inherit?

Further Study – John 1:12-13; John 8:15-17

Topic – Adoption Verse – Galatians 4:4-6






Topic – Adoption Verse – Galatians 4:4-6







Clip Summary and Set-up: Blood Diamond seeks to inform the viewer of the all potential atrocities that are happening as a result of the diamond craze in the western parts of the world. The movie is set in Sierra Leone which is shown to be a major diamond producer in Africa that is run over with guerilla warfare. The guerillas are

looking for ways to overthrow their national government but cannot do it apart from weapons received from their corrupt diamond industry. So, the guerillas mine diamonds in exchange for weapon purchases from western markets and the weapons are manned by child armies. The scene can be set up by stating that the boy (Dia

Vandy) has been stolen away from his family and childhood and the following clip is how the father (Solomon) reunites himself with his child after being taken hostage for some years. The boy has been brainwashed into a kiling machine and his father has to work through a very hostile interaction to try to redeem the lost relationship.

Blood Diamond

WORD: PRODIGAL PT. 1

MOVIE: BLOOD DIAMOND, 2006

CLIP: SCENE 24, (5:33), “SEARCHING FOR DIA”

VERSE: LUKE 15:11-32

DIAGRAM: TWO THIEVES


PRODIGAL PT. 1Luke 15:11-32

Picking the Topic





“KILL HIM, KILL HIM, KILL HIM” ~DIA








BIBLIC AL PARALLELS

INTRODUCTION

TOPIC: PRODIGAL

DEFINE: RECKLESSLY EXTRAVAGANT

EXAMPLE: WHAT IS THE COMMON PERCPETION OF A PRODIGAL?

CLIP

LEAD-IN QUESTION:

WHAT IS DIA’S REACTION TO HIS FATHER? WHY IS SOLOMON SO

SURPRISED THAT HIS SON DOES NOT KNOW HIM?


HOW DO THE TWO CHARACTERS (SOLOMON & DIA) IN THE MOVIE

REPRESENT GOD AND HUMANITY IN REAL LIFE? MAKE SOME COMPARISONS.

CONNECTIONS:

DIA HAS DISREGARDED HIS FATHER AND IS SO BRAINWASHED HE CANNOT

RECOGNIZE HIM AND WANTS HIM DEAD. HE WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH

HIS FATHER. HE HAS LEFT HIM.

• DIA’S SCREAMS - HUMANITY’S HOSTILITY TO GOD (ROM. 5:10)

• SOLOMON COMING FORTH - GOD PURSUING US EVEN IN OUR SIN

(ROMANS 5:8) .

SCRIPTURE

" “AND THE YOUNGER OF THEM SAID TO THIS FATHER, “FATHER, GIVE ME

THE SHARE OF THE PROPERTY THAT IS COMING TO ME.” LUKE 15:12

• “BUT HE WAS ANGRY AND REFUSED TO GO IN.” LUKE 15:28

• BOTH SONS ENDED UP BEING PRODIGALS. BOTH LEFT, BUT ONLY ONE

RETURNED. WHAT IS MORE LIKELY TO KEEP YOU FROM GOD: YOUR

SIN OR YOUR GOOD WORKS?

“Gospel” (Resting) Love

“Irreleigious” (Rebellion) Relativism “Religious” (Righteousness) Moralism








2 WAYS THAT ROB THE GOSPEL OF ITS POWER

DIAGRAM

Diagrams are often very helpful because most people are visual learners. Anytime you can find a picture to reinforce words or biblical truth it almost always clarifies, sharpens, and clears up misunderstandings. Pictures often speak a

thousand words.


Two ThievesThis diagram serves to answer the question, “What are the two opponents of the gospel?” First draw a line under the cross and ask your audience what are lifestyles that keep people from looking to a Savior. In other words, what are the two thieves

(two ways of living) that rob or steal the gospel way from us (represented by two false crosses). One is simple: a sinful life. It can be characterized as an irreligious or rebellios lifestyle in which the person is concerned with only themselves and getting by on their own moral code. In their eyes they are not that bad. Postmodern reletavism

is the authority for this world-view. The second way to live is a religious life. But this too is not a gospel-centered way to live. This person is concerend with meeting moral codes scripted from religous handbooks and deserves treatment from God based on

their good acts. People usually fall out on one of two sides. Ask them which side they fall out on. Each side has a descriptor for “identity label” (actions) and authority.

Just as Christ was crucified by two thieves, so this doctrine of Justification is ever crucified between opposite errors.” ~ Tertullian

DISCUSSION ? ’STopic – Prodigal Verse – Luke 15:11-32

Tertullian said, "Just as Christ was crucified between two thieves, so this doctrine of justification is ever crucified between two opposite errors." (Legalism = older brother; Liberalism = younger brother)

1. Describe the differences/similarities in the sons?

2. Which realization does the younger son make that leads him back home?

3. What does the older son fail to realize that keeps him from coming home?

4. How do both sons really leave their Father? Why do they leave Him?

5. Which one do you identify with most? Why?

Further study: Titus 3:3-7

Topic – Prodigal Verse – Luke 15:11-32

















Clip Summary and Set-up: Blood Diamond seeks to inform the viewer of the all potential atrocities that are happening as a result of the diamond craze in the western parts of the world. The movie is set in Sierra Leone which is shown to be a major diamond producer in Africa that is run over with guerilla warfare. The guerillas are

looking for ways to overthrow their national government but cannot do it apart from weapons received from their corrupt diamond industry. So, the guerillas mine diamonds in exchange for weapon purchases from western markets and the weapons are manned by child armies. The scene can be set up by stating that the boy (Dia

Vandy) has been stolen away from his family and childhood and the following clip is how the father (Solomon) reunites himself with his child after being taken hostage for some years. The boy has been brainwashed into a kiling machine and his father has to work through a very hostile interaction to redeem the lost relationship.

Blood Diamond

WORD: PRODIGAL PT. 2

MOVIE: BLOOD DIAMOND, 2006

CLIP: SCENE 28, (2:56), “I AM YOUR FATHER”

VERSE: LUKE 15:1-2

DIAGRAM: ARROWS


PRODIGAL PT. 2Luke 15:1-2

Picking the Topic





“I AM YOUR FATHER, WHO LOVES YOU AND YOU WILL COME HOME WITH ME AND BE MY SON AGAIN” ~SOLOMON








BIBLIC AL PARALLELS

INTRODUCTION

TOPIC: PRODIGAL

DEFINE: RECKLESSLY EXTRAVAGANT

EXAMPLE: REMIND AUDIENCE OF THE EXTRAVAGANCE OF BOTH SONS

(REBELLION AND RIGHTEOUS WORKS) AND NOW WE WILL FOCUS ON THE

EXTRAVAGANCE OF THE FATHER

CLIP

LEAD-IN QUESTION:

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REUNION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

THE FATHER AND SON?


HOW DO THE TWO CHARACTERS (SOLOMON & DIA) IN THE MOVIE

REPRESENT GOD AND HUMANITY IN REAL LIFE? MAKE SOME COMPARISONS.

CONNECTIONS:

DO YOU SEE THE FATHER LOOKING TO REUNITE THE RELATIONSHIP? HE IS

NOT LOOKING TO ESTABLISH A NEW ONE, BUT MERELY REUNITE ONE THAT

EXISTS BUT HAS BEEN LOST

• DIA WITH GUN - HUMANITY’S HOSTILITY TO GOD (ROM. 5:10)

• SOLOMON COMING FORTH - GOD PURSUING US EVEN IN OUR SIN

(ROMANS 5:8) HE TAKES THE BULLET IN OUR PLACE.

• SOLOMON TALKING - HE IS REMINDING DIA WHO HE IS. HE IS ALSO

REMINDING DIA WHO DIA IS. THE GOSPEL MAKES REALITY CLEAR TO US.

SCRIPTURE

" NOW THE TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS WERE ALL DRAWING NEAR TO

HIM. AND THE PHARISEES AND THE SCRIBES GRUMBLED, SAYING, “THIS

MAN RECEIVES SINNERS AND EATS WITH THEM.” LUKE 15:1-2

• DO YOU SEE HOW THE PARABLE ANSWERS THIS ACCUSATION FROM

THE PHARISEES?

Do Give Good Works

VS

Done Receive Grace








HOW DO YOU ATTEMPT TO REACH GOD?

!

!!

DIAGRAM

Diagrams are often very helpful because most people are visual learners. Anytime you can find a picture to reinforce words or biblical truth it almost always clarifies, sharpens, and clears up misunderstandings. Pictures often speak a

thousand words.


!

The Arrows DiagramThis diagram serves to answer the question, “How do you attempt to reach God.” The leader can start by drawign two sets of the human icon (stick figure) and the written word, “God” across from them. The entire diagram gives two ways in

which people can answer the question depending upon which way the arrows face. Is it man’s attempt to reach God which results in a “doing, giving, and working” lifestyle? Or is Christianity best described in God’s attempt to reach man which results in a “Resting, Receiving, and Grace-filled” lifestyle. Those

categories at the end of the two scenarios may grant greater clarity. This is a good reinforcement of the parables in Luke 15 because the aim of the parables is to teach that God pursues the wayward sinner and saves them, not the other way

around.

DISCUSSION ? ’STopic – Prodigal Verse – Luke 15:1-2

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

1. What is the accusation of the Pharisees in the verse above? What are they implying by their comment?

2. Read all of Luke 15. In each parable, which Eigure represents God the Father? What does each Eigure have in common?

3. What is the main point of the three parables? What is Christ’s response to them?

4. How does this view of God change your understanding of grace and your salvation?

Further Study: Ephesians 2:1-5















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