SERIES TITLE
At The Movies Top Gun Maverick
At The Movies Week 3
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
Top Gun Maverick
Sermon Summary
Captain Pete Mitchell, call sign Maverick, played by Tom Cruise is a distinguished fighter pilot who after years of flying for the Navy has been invited to come back to Top Gun to train other top fighter pilots for a dangerous, some say impossible mission. But Maverick’s entire life, past and present, has been complicated by a tragic event that occurred many years earlier. This study will look at the biblical principles for positively letting go of our past so we can ultimately rescue others.
WARM UP
What is your all time favorite movie and who is the ultimate hero of that movie in your estimation?
DISCUSSion
Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.
- The Apostle Paul was listed in one study of the 100 Most Influential People Who Ever Lived as #3, behind even Jesus (because Paul brought Jesus’ message to much of the known world). Paul also had a tragic and shameful past. Read about his role after the violent stoning of Steven and beyond in Acts 8:1-3 (NLT). What psychological state do you think Paul was in at the time all this happened? Have you ever known someone this vindictive? What fueled their behavior?
- Paul shares how he felt about it years later to the Corinthian Church in 1 Corinthians 15:9 (NLT). Have you ever felt unworthy of a blessing or opportunity that you have been given? If so, how so?
- Read Galatians 1:13-16 (NLT). What do you think helped Paul to move on from his past into a higher calling?
- Paul makes a resolution to stay in tune with God’s future for him and not his past shame. It’s found in Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV). What are one or two phrases from this resolution that mean a lot to you? Why are they personally so important to you?
- Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) is the belief system that results from Paul’s resolution. Do you need to make a resolution to move forward in some area of your life? What would it be and how can the group support you?
WRAP UP & PRAYER
- Ask for any prayer requests within the group.
- Pray for a member of the group who needs to move forward in some area of their life.
- Pray for a loved one who needs to move on from their past into something new with God’s help.
- Pray for the persecuted church wherever you know them to be around the world.