(Message 4) "At The Movies" is about connecting our favorite films with faith. This Sunday follows one of our favorite Disney movies, Pinocchio. This classic prodigal son story is a great finish to our series. #GCAtTheMovies

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Key Scripture:

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Isaiah 64:8 (NLT)

8 And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. 

      We are the clay, and you are the potter. 

      We all are formed by your hand.

James 1:14–15 (NLT)

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

11 You will show me the way of life, 

      granting me the joy of your presence 

      and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Luke 15:20–24 (NLT)

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

 

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

  • Share a time when you’ve made a wish or prayed for something important in your life. How did it turn out?

Start sharing. These questions are to help get your group thinking and to create openness.

  • Read Ephesians 2:10 and Isaiah 64:8. What do these verses say about our relationship to God and his desire for our lives? Discuss how these verses are portrayed in the movie via Gepetto’s creation of Pinocchio and his desire for Pinocchio to gain true life.
  • Pinocchio needed Jiminy Cricket as his conscience to help him distinguish right from wrong. How does the Holy Spirit function as our guide and conscience in our lives as Christians?
  • James 1:14-15. How does this passage help us resist the allure of temporary pleasures that will lead to negative consequences in our lives?
  • Pastor Clay mentioned that true pleasure is found in spending time with our Creator (Ref Psalm 16:11). How can we seek joy and fulfillment in our relationship with God, especially in a world that offers fleeting pleasures?
  • Both Pinocchio and the prodigal son made poor choices but eventually returned home to loving fathers. How does the concept of repentance and God's grace apply to our own lives when we make mistakes or drift away from our faith?
  • In the movie, Gepetto goes in search of Pinocchio when he realizes he's missing. How does this illustrate God's pursuit of us when we're lost or straying from our faith? Share a personal experience or thought about God's relentless love and pursuit in your life.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

  • Identify and share with your Small Group an area of your life where you have been drawn away by the attractions and temptations of this world.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

  • Ask God to reveal to you areas of your life that you haven’t fully surrendered to his will. Seek his strength to resist temptation and his wisdom to live more fully according to his will. And thank him for his unfailing love and pursuit of of us.

Start digging. For further study.

If you attend Generations and were unable to join us onsite to watch this message, we can provide a password-protected link to the video for a limited time. Please email: atthemovies@generationschurch.com

Speaker

Clay Weed

Related Scriptures