SERIES TITLE
At The Movies Week 1
SERIES OVERVIEW
Bring a friend, grab some popcorn, find a seat… you’re at the movies! Each week we’ll learn how God uses characters and storylines from the big screen to inspire positive change. Journey with us through some of Hollywood’s most impactful films and experience God’s purpose for you in a fun and fresh way. Our At the Movies series is only viewable on an Eastside campus. For times and directions, please choose a location near you.
SERMON TITLE
Remember The Titans
Sermon Summary
Based on a true story, Remember the Titans is set In the summer of 1971, at the desegregated T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. A black head coach, Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington is hired to coach the school’s football team. What he will experience, and what everyone will learn, is how to build community in a culture where diversity divides.
WARM UP
What was your favorite scene in Remember the Titans? Why did you like it so much?
DISCUSSion
Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.
- Read Psalm 133:1. If unity is so good to God, why do you think God’s people aren’t more successful in creating it? What barriers to unity in this film did you relate to from your personal story?
- Read Galatians 3:28. What coach Boon challenged the team to do as a whole was not taking root in the locker room. Using the categories of division that Jesus has established unity in according to Galatians 3:28, which divide is the most challenging for you and your family to overcome right now: Is it Racial (“Jew nor Greek”), Gender (“male or female”), or Socio-Economic (“slave or free”)? Why?
- You are not alone in struggling to experience unity where the world has divided us. The apostles of Jesus struggled in this area, too, including Peter, who Jesus said was the Rock he would build his church on! He simply would not go into a gentile’s home because of his religious and cultural traditions. God had to send him a powerful vision and stern command to get him to budge. Once he did, he used the keys of the kingdom Jesus gave him and opened the door to the Gentiles of the world. What a history-making moment. When it was over, Peter said in Acts 10:34-35 (GN), “I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis. Whoever fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him, no matter what race he belongs to.” Have you ever experienced a connection with someone you had historical or cultural differences with simply because of Jesus? Tell the story.
- I love that quote from Coach Yoast about Coach Boone in the movie: “You’ve taught this city how to trust the SOUL of a person rather than the LOOK of him. I guess it’s about time I joined the club.”1 Samuel 16:7 says; The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Who is a person in your sphere of influence that you need to look past their appearance to show love to in some way right now?
- Read Ephesians 2:13-14. Take a crack at explaining HOW Jesus destroyed the barrier of hostility between you and others. What does that mean to you as you attempt to live in reconciliation with those different from you this week?
WRAP UP & PRAYER
- Ask for any prayer requests within the group.
- Are there any areas you need strength in to become a bridge builder in a culture of division?
- Do you need the courage to confront an issue between you and someone different from you?
- Share any reconciliation God may want to help you experience so you can receive the prayer support of your group today.