Sermon Illustrations from Soul Surfer (2011)

13-year-old Bethany Hamilton was gearing up to be a professional surfer, but a fateful day out on the water threatened to change everything. Attacked by a shark, Bethany lost her arm, and began the slow physical and spiritual quest to make sense of it all. A challenging film for people who want to understand why the world is filled with suffering, and the joy that can be found in submission to God.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Rated PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material.

Rating: PG Genre: Biographical

FilmTalk Card - How does suffering change our view of the world?

Soul Surfer can stimulate discussions about keeping your word, the purpose of prayer, and God's plan for our lives. Soul Surfer can also inspire talk about how to put our own suffering in perspective, and how we can become people of influence.

Illustration # 1

Clip: It's Your Call

Scene Setup: Bethany and her mother are preparing to go surfing, when Bethany begins to complain to her mother about some conflicting priorities.

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Illustration # 2

Clip: Perspective

Scene Setup: Bethany Hamilton, a thirteen year old aspiring surfer, has suffered a tragic loss. Out on the water one morning, she is attacked by a shark and loses her arm. All of her dreams are shattered, but she puts on a brave face, until she is finally unable to speak truthfully with her youth leader, Sarah.

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