May's Theme: The Passion of The Christian

May 4: Passionate About Following Jesus
May 11: (Mother's Day) Passionate About Parenting
May 18: Passionate About Praying
May 25: Passionate About Serving

Passionate About Following Jesus

Movie: Last Samurai, The

The Big Idea: Perfection requires devotion.

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26  

Application: What does it mean to be a Christian? The word means "little Christ," and indicates a person who is following in the footsteps of Jesus. In other words, Christians are disciples -- they follow a discipline.

(Mother's Day) Passionate About Parenting

Movie: Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)

The Big Idea: When things go wrong, we all want our mommy.

Scripture: Psalms 107:17-21  

Application: Actions have consequences. When people are in the midst of sin, they give little heed to the ultimate outcome. Evil has an initial rush of sweetness, but in the end it becomes bitter. At that moment, the wise person cries out to God, like a little one would cry out for her mommy -- to bind the wounds, heal the hurts, comfort the afflicted, and then, once again, to set their feet on the right path.

Passionate About Praying

Movie: Bruce Almighty

The Big Idea: The objects of our prayers reveal a lot about us.

Scripture: James 4:1-10  

Application: God can use our circumstances to make changes in our lives, but He is more concerned about our character. In the film, Bruce is always praying about himself, wanting God to do things to make his life happier. God wanted to change Bruce's perspective. Finally, in the last prayer scene, Bruce prays honestly, indicating that he wants Grace to have what God wants for her, someone who will see Grace as God sees her.

God wants us to pray from His eternal perspective, and wants us to develop His way of looking at the world. He also wants us to pray honestly, casting our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.

Passionate About Serving

Movie: Nicholas Nickleby

The Big Idea: The gaining of friends is in the giving of self.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-16  

Application: The Squeers treated Smike as a slave, but having escaped, Smike willingly attaches himself to Nicholas. Smike is an embodiment of the slave in Exodus 21 who is offered freedom, but because of his love for his master, voluntarily chooses to remain and serve for life. Ruth made a similar pledge to Naomi out of her love for her mother-in-law.

In a fast-paced world of fleeting friendship, everyone yearns for permanence. The hallmarks of true friendship are steadfastness and service. The gaining of friends is in the giving of self.