series TITLE
At the Movies
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
message TITLE
Dunkirk
weekend in review
This week we are looking at the movie Dunkirk. We will look at how God uses unqualified and unlikely people to change the world.
WARM UP
Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are a few potential questions to get the conversation going.
- Did anyone participate in any compassion moments this past week? If so, tell us about it.
DISCUSS
Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.
- What are some words that come to mind to describe how you felt watching the movie Dunkirk?
- Imagine being in the initial scene of Dunkirk that was shown this weekend. What are some things that you think might be going through Tommy’s mind?
- Read Matthew 9:36-38. Gene points out a parallel from this scene to when Jesus looked at the flock crowd. What are some of the things Jesus could have been feeling and thinking as he looked out upon the crowd?
- As the movie continues, Tommy and his fellow soldiers begin to realize that there is no easy way out as each effort to escape their dilemma is defeated. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you were surrounded or defeated, looking for a way to escape, tried to go to the “big boats” and realized your rescuer was not what you originally thought it would be?
- How did you feel when you saw the scene of thousands of ships sailing across the water to rescue the trapped soldiers?
application
- Read Matthew 9:36-38. What is Jesus calling on his disciples to do here? What is Jesus asking us to do in this passage?
- Gene asked, “Think about what Jesus saw as he saw the crowds who were like sheep without a shepherd…Have you ever seen the world through that lens?” Consider doing an Imago Dei activity this week on your own. Imago Dei means “image of God.” This week while driving around, take time to look at each person you see and try to see them the way Jesus sees them. Look at them all and view them from the eyes of Jesus — that each person was created in his image and each person is loved unconditionally by him.
- Read John 14:12. Share with the group what stands out to you in this verse.
- Jesus is saying that because of our belief in him, we as the body of Christ will do even greater things. How does this make you feel about how important you are to him? What does this say about what we as his body are capable of?
- Have you ever felt that your contributions or what you can offer is too small or insignificant? Have you ever wanted to give up or been too afraid to start because you were afraid that what you were doing or wanted to do was not enough or were afraid of how others might treat you?
- As you see all the small boats rescuing these troops, think of all of the individual acts of kindness, goodness, service, and love that each one of us can do, no matter how small, and how collectively we can change the world. How does a “birds eye view” help us to see the amazing impact we all can make?
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. What are some ways you feel led to serve? What is one thing you can do this week to “send your boat” to help someone? (Ideas: invite 5 people to Easter; bake cookies for a neighbor; volunteer for a local non-profit; go to Next Steps at Eastside and discover your gifts; go on a prayer walk around your neighborhood; etc.)
WRAP UP & PRAYER
Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other.