Beyond Sunday - At The Movies "Elf"
Beyond Sunday, Week of December 1, 2024
Christmas at the Movies, Week 1
Romans 15:13
Thoughts: I love the movie, Elf. It’s right up there on my list of top ten favorite Christmas movies. And yet, to be honest, the character Buddy’s extreme naivete often displayed in the movie makes me a little uncomfortable. That says a lot more about me than about the movie or the character. I have a deep-seated fear of looking foolish that can make it difficult to relax and enjoy life—to be truly joyful. But this is not about me. It’s about the movie and the Truths that we can glean from it. Let’s look at a few.
• Many of the characters in the movie consider Buddy foolish, rather than admiring his child-like innocence. The unbelieving world sees trusting in Christ’s death on the cross as foolish. However, this is where God chooses the foolish things to confound the wise. It is through the death of Christ that we have forgiveness of sin and life eternal. This gospel message is
simple enough that a child can understand it. Read: Mark 10:13-15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-27, Titus 3:3
o In what ways does God want us to be childlike? In this context, how would you differentiate between being childlike, and being childish?
o Why is the message of the cross foolishness to some? What is it in them that makes them reject the message of the cross?
• Buddy meets his biological father for the first time and immediately declares his love for this stranger. His father initially rejects Buddy, but Buddy persists in his love. He chooses love when it makes no earthly sense, and eventually wins his father’s affection. Read: Luke 23:34, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:19
o Unlike Buddy, Jesus knew full well that He would be rejected by many. He knew even before we were born that we would sin. And yet He chose to love us. What does this reveal to you about our triune God?
o Jesus asked His Father to forgive His tormentors because they didn’t understand what they were doing. Was Jesus talking about what they were doing to Him, or to themselves? Explain. How might that change how you think/feel about those who reject the Gospel?
o How can you love those who reject you?
• Buddy’s father doesn’t believe in Santa until he sees him. Non-believers wrongly think that Christian faith is blind trust without evidence. The Bible teaches the opposite. Biblical faith is based on the evidence revealed in Scripture, and on the evidence of lives—our own and others’—transformed by faith. Read: John 20:29-31, 2 Corinthians 4:18
o How has your life been transformed by faith in Jesus?
o How can/do you share that story of transformation with others?
• Just as love is a choice, so also is joy. God is the source of joy. Loving and trusting Him are the essential first steps in filling our lives with His joy, a joy that is not a fleeting emotion but an enduring quality that overpowers the clenches of adversity. That kind of joy is founded on a relationship with Jesus Christ. Read: John 16:33, Galatians 5:22-23
o In John 16:33 we have but one example of the many times Jesus prepared His followers for the adversities they would face in life. What does Jesus mean when He says He has overcome the world? How should that give us peace and joy?
o The Holy Spirit empowers us to live Christ-like lives. I believe the order in which the fruit of the Spirit is listed is very purposeful.
▪ Explain why love is listed first.
▪ How does love yield joy, and how do both lead to the others listed?
▪ How can you experience and express more of the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
Pray: Pray to the Holy Spirit for peace and strength to joyfully endure any adversity you may be facing. Ask Him to make you a more loving person. Pray that the joy of salvation will be more evident in your life, for your own benefit and for the benefit of others who will see it and perhaps be led to believe.
Next Steps:
• If you have chosen to surrender completely to God, but have not yet declared that publicly by being water baptized, you can sign up to take that step here.
• One of the best ways to experience joy is to serve. The first step toward serving at Rock Hills is to complete Growth Track.
You can learn more and sign up here. If you have completed Growth Track and are ready to serve, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com, and you will be put in touch with the right people.
Christmas at the Movies, Week 1
Romans 15:13
Thoughts: I love the movie, Elf. It’s right up there on my list of top ten favorite Christmas movies. And yet, to be honest, the character Buddy’s extreme naivete often displayed in the movie makes me a little uncomfortable. That says a lot more about me than about the movie or the character. I have a deep-seated fear of looking foolish that can make it difficult to relax and enjoy life—to be truly joyful. But this is not about me. It’s about the movie and the Truths that we can glean from it. Let’s look at a few.
• Many of the characters in the movie consider Buddy foolish, rather than admiring his child-like innocence. The unbelieving world sees trusting in Christ’s death on the cross as foolish. However, this is where God chooses the foolish things to confound the wise. It is through the death of Christ that we have forgiveness of sin and life eternal. This gospel message is
simple enough that a child can understand it. Read: Mark 10:13-15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-27, Titus 3:3
o In what ways does God want us to be childlike? In this context, how would you differentiate between being childlike, and being childish?
o Why is the message of the cross foolishness to some? What is it in them that makes them reject the message of the cross?
• Buddy meets his biological father for the first time and immediately declares his love for this stranger. His father initially rejects Buddy, but Buddy persists in his love. He chooses love when it makes no earthly sense, and eventually wins his father’s affection. Read: Luke 23:34, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:19
o Unlike Buddy, Jesus knew full well that He would be rejected by many. He knew even before we were born that we would sin. And yet He chose to love us. What does this reveal to you about our triune God?
o Jesus asked His Father to forgive His tormentors because they didn’t understand what they were doing. Was Jesus talking about what they were doing to Him, or to themselves? Explain. How might that change how you think/feel about those who reject the Gospel?
o How can you love those who reject you?
• Buddy’s father doesn’t believe in Santa until he sees him. Non-believers wrongly think that Christian faith is blind trust without evidence. The Bible teaches the opposite. Biblical faith is based on the evidence revealed in Scripture, and on the evidence of lives—our own and others’—transformed by faith. Read: John 20:29-31, 2 Corinthians 4:18
o How has your life been transformed by faith in Jesus?
o How can/do you share that story of transformation with others?
• Just as love is a choice, so also is joy. God is the source of joy. Loving and trusting Him are the essential first steps in filling our lives with His joy, a joy that is not a fleeting emotion but an enduring quality that overpowers the clenches of adversity. That kind of joy is founded on a relationship with Jesus Christ. Read: John 16:33, Galatians 5:22-23
o In John 16:33 we have but one example of the many times Jesus prepared His followers for the adversities they would face in life. What does Jesus mean when He says He has overcome the world? How should that give us peace and joy?
o The Holy Spirit empowers us to live Christ-like lives. I believe the order in which the fruit of the Spirit is listed is very purposeful.
▪ Explain why love is listed first.
▪ How does love yield joy, and how do both lead to the others listed?
▪ How can you experience and express more of the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
Pray: Pray to the Holy Spirit for peace and strength to joyfully endure any adversity you may be facing. Ask Him to make you a more loving person. Pray that the joy of salvation will be more evident in your life, for your own benefit and for the benefit of others who will see it and perhaps be led to believe.
Next Steps:
• If you have chosen to surrender completely to God, but have not yet declared that publicly by being water baptized, you can sign up to take that step here.
• One of the best ways to experience joy is to serve. The first step toward serving at Rock Hills is to complete Growth Track.
You can learn more and sign up here. If you have completed Growth Track and are ready to serve, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com, and you will be put in touch with the right people.
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