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Loft — Wed

10 May

Posted at 18:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

True friends will stick with each other despite mistakes. Marty decides that he wants to go to the wild. When he leaves, his friends follow him. Unfortunately, this leads them to get stranded on an island in Madagascar. Despite the whole journey, the friends stick together and battle everything.

Scripture

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Who is your best friend?
  2. Has a friend ever done something to make you sad? Did you forgive them?
  3. What does true forgiveness look like?

 

03 May

Posted at 18:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

Nemo disobeys his dad by swimming out to the boat. As a result of his defiance, he is taken away by a diver. Despite the fact that Nemo messed up, Marlin (his dad), continues to love him. In fact, he loves Nemo so deeply that he searches the entire ocean for him. In the same way, God loves us so much that he will ALWAYS seek us out, no matter how far away we have drifted.

Scripture

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Luke 15:3-7 nirv

3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders

6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever gotten lost? How did it make you feel?
  2. Do you think there is anything you can do so bad that Jesus would stop loving you?
  3. How does it make you feel that God would do anything to find you?
  4. How can you love others this week the way that God loves you?

 

12 Apr

Posted at 18:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

In the movie Emperors New Groove, Kuzco is a ruthless ruler who was spoiled his whole life. He wanted to build a new home on a plot of land already owned by a man named Pacha, creating immense conflict. Kuzco ends up turning into a llama and is stuck with Pacha. They end up becoming friends despite their differences. Kuzco, who was a terrible person initially, chooses Pacha over the ability to turn back to a human. This story parallels that of Saul. Saul was someone who persecuted and killed Christians. When he was walking in the desert, God talked to him and changed his life. He became one of the biggest figures in the bible! This shows that no matter how much someone has wronged you or done terrible things, they can always be forgiven and God loves them throughout everything.

Scripture

Acts 9:1-17
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest
2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you seen the movie The Emperor’s New Groove? What did you think of it?
  2. How can we see God in The Emperor’s New Groove?
  3. Who is someone you have forgiven?
  4. What makes forgiveness difficult?

 

05 Apr

Posted at 18:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

Diego is a bad guy at first, but then Manny saves him and he becomes a good guy. Similarly, we are born sinners but Jesus redeems us and makes us Children of God.

Scripture

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.” Luke 17:33

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you watched Ice Age? What did you like about this movie?
  2. What can this movie reveal to us about God’s love?
  3. How has Jesus changed you?
  4. How do you give up your life for God?
  5. How can we give up our lives as a family for God?

 

29 Mar

Posted at 18:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

Much like how Lilo sees the good in Stitch, adopting him into her family even when he is not perfect, God sees the good in us and adopts us into His family. Our relationship with God does not end in a fleeting moment of being chosen by him. We continue to become more like Jesus throughout our relationship with Him in a process called sanctification. In the same way, Stitch becomes more and more like Lilo (the one who adopted him) throughout the movie. In the end of the film, we see Stitch finally understanding what it means to love others and be in a family, which is a huge part of what it means to follow Jesus.

Scripture

3 It is the same with us. When we were children, we were slaves to the basic spiritual powers of the world. 4 But then the chosen time came. God sent his Son. A woman gave birth to him. He was born under the authority of the law. 5 He came to set free those who were under the authority of the law. He wanted us to be adopted as children with all the rights children have. 6 Because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. He is the Holy Spirit. By his power we call God Abba. Abba means Father. 7 So you aren’t a slave any longer. You are God’s child. Because you are his child, God gives you the rights of those who are his children.

Galatians 4:3-7
 

23 God is the God who gives peace. May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. 24 The God who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you seen Lilo & Stitch? What did you think about the movie?
  2. How can we see God in Lilo & Stitch?
  3. What are ways you can try to become more like God?

 

22 Mar

Posted at 18:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust control Riley’s emotions. Joy tries to keep Riley as happy as possible, but this becomes very difficult when they move to a new city. The other emotions, especially Sadness, start interfering even more with Riley’s happiness. Even though it is good to be positive, Riley suffers a lot of disappointment and tough circumstances that cannot be fixed by pretending to be happy. She learns that it’s ok to be sad and express those emotions to her parents. In our lives, we cannot depend on our own strength to be joyful all the time. It’s ok to be upset when things go wrong. And it’s ok to tell God about it. God would sooooo much rather us be open and honest to him about our feelings than shut down and turn away from him. Jesus experienced and expressed his emotions to God, even anger and sadness. Instead of running from our emotions, we should embrace them and share them with God, even when they might be about Him. We can find true peace and joy even in the hardest of circumstances, not by our own strength, but from the strength of God.

Scripture

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (Which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) 
Matthew 27: 46 (NIV)

Discussion Questions

      1. Have you seen Inside Out? What did you think about it?
      2. How do you see God in Inside Out?
      3. Who do you usually talk to about your emotions?
      4. Have you talked to God about your feelings?

 

08 Mar

Posted at 18:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

In the beginning of Monsters Inc, we are greeted with a society whose norm was to send monsters into childrens’ rooms daily to scare them. We see that Sully and the other monsters believed that the children themselves are harmful and scary. The introduction of a child named Boo helped Sully to realize their backwards way of thinking. Instead of scaring kids, the monsters could make them laugh. This story shows us that children are greatly important and have the power to make monumental change. Jesus even emphasizes the power of having faith like a child – that even adults could learn from the way that children see the world.

Scripture

Mark 10:13-16 NIRV

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus. They wanted him to touch them. But the disciples told the people to stop.
14 When Jesus saw this, he was angry. He said to his disciples, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them.
15 What I’m about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God’s kingdom like a little child will never enter it.”
16 Then he took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.
 
*See also Matthew 19:13-14, Matthew 18:1-4, 1 Timothy 4*

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you seen the movie Monsters Inc? What did you think about it?
  2. How can we see God in Monsters Inc?
  3. What are some special qualities you see in me?
  4. What skills do you think I have that could help change the world?

 

01 Mar

Posted at 11:31h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

God can show up in our lives in ways that we don’t expect. He knows what is best for us. As a result, when we ask Him for things, He may not show up exactly as we would want or imagine. Rather, He shows up and answers prayers as we NEED. In the movie, Carl is seen living a lonely life until he gets bothered by wilderness explorer Russell. Russell ends up taking him on an adventure that changes both of their lives for the better. Similarly, if we trust God to fulfill our prayers, He will answer them in a way that is often better than we could imagine.

Scripture

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
Exodus 3:1-6 (NIRV)
 
18 One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw two brothers. They were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen.
19 “Come. Follow me,” Jesus said. “I will make you fishers of people.”
20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers. They were James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee. As they were preparing their nets, Jesus called out to them.
22 Right away they left the boat and their father and followed Jesus.
Matthew 4:18-22 (NIRV)

Discussion Questions

      1. Have you seen the movie Up? Did you like it?
      2. How can we see God in Up?
      3. Has God ever answered one of your prayers? Did he answer it as you expected?

 

22 Feb

Posted at 17:00h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

Remi is so focused on his new life cooking for people with Linguini that he starts to see the world in a new way. When he reunites with his family, his Dad tries to show him all the ways that humans are out to get them because they are rats; however, Remi knows that there are some humans that have good in them, even to the point of standing up to protect them from danger. When we follow Jesus, it changes a lot of the ways that we live our lives and see other people, leading us to care for people that we would never notice before. While things may get hard and people disagree with us sometimes, God is right there helping us when we are struggling. Even when we can’t see it, God is always working in us and the people that we interact with.

Scripture

Matthew 5: 43-46

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor.(Leviticus 19:18) Hate your enemy.’
44 But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.
45 Then you will be sons of your Father who is in heaven. “He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t.
46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that.

Matthew 9: 9-13

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew. He was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him. Matthew got up and followed him.

10 Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and “sinners” came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples.

11 The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”

12 Jesus heard that. So he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do.

13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.'(Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.”

 

Discussion Questions

      1. Have you seen Ratatouille? What do you think about it?
      2. How else can we relate Ratatouille to God?
      3. Should our lives change as a result of following Jesus? How?
      4. Have you ever stood up for someone else?

13 Feb

Posted at 17:27h in Loft — Wed

Main Idea

Rapunzel is on a journey to find the truth, but she is held back by many deceptions and distractions much like how we can get distracted and deceived by things other than God. In the beginning, Rapunzel is seemingly content in her tower filled with art, baking, candle-making, and more. Mother Gothel tries to keep her in the dark by feeding her lies. However, deep down Rapunzel knows that she is not truly fulfilled or using her gifts as she should. In the end, she realizes her place is in the kingdom using her gifts of kindness to lead her people with joy and love. God gives us gifts to be a light to others and follow him well. He wants us to seek the truth about him. We ALWAYS have a place with God. He is with us even when we are lost, just like Rapunzel was the “lost princess.”

Scripture

“There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” 

Deuteronomy 4: 28-29 (NIV)

 

Discussion Questions

      1. Have you seen Tangled? What do you like about the movie?
      2. How can we connect God to this movie?
      3. How can we, as a family, make God the focus of our lives?

07 Feb

Posted at 14:11h in Loft — Wed

In Kids Ministry, we believe God extends grace—even in places we least expect it. This semester, we are watching clips from popular movies and relating them to Jesus! We believe that God is all around us, so we are dedicated to looking for Him in movies with the hope of seeing Him elsewhere because of this practice.

Main Idea

Mulan is focused on bringing honor to her father, much like how we should be focused on bringing honor to our Father (God). In the beginning, she tries to do so by changing who she is and being who she felt she was supposed to be to impress the matchmaker. However, her trying to change herself didn’t work. God does not want us to pretend to be someone we’re not. He wants the real us because he created us as we are WITH A PURPOSE. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t supposed to change. We are supposed to become more like Him.

Scripture

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
— Romans 12:2

Discussion Questions

      1. Have you seen Mulan? What do you like about the movie?
      2. What can we learn about God through the movie Mulan?
      3. What are things you already do to honor God? What are some things we can do as a family to honor God?