Before the Session
Facilitator: In advance of the session
- Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
- Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
- Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media).
Context
Begin the session by sharing this clip from Mary Poppins, then ask the following questions:
- How does Mary’s interaction with Jane and Michael challenge the children’s expectations? What are they most surprised by?
- What does Mary’s calm, confident entrance communicate about her role in the household? What does she see as her mission?
- What values does Mary have? How are they demonstrated through her words and actions?
- What do the children’s reactions to her magic suggest about their openness to change and imagination? What hesitations or hopes do they have?
- How does Mary’s refusal to explain her magic shape the power dynamic between her and the children? What role do delight and surprise play in this scene?
Content
Read together Matthew 4:12-23, then watch the Bible Background Video and ask:
- How might Jesus have been affected by John the Baptist’s arrest? Why could this have spurred on his earthly ministry?
- Why does Matthew describe the region of Galilee “the people who sat in darkness”? What does this insinuate about the people Jesus wants to minister to?
- How might people have responded to Jesus’ message of repentance? How does this message echo the imagery of darkness and light?
- Why do you think Jesus chose ordinary laborers as his first disciples? What impact would this have on the religious community of the day?
- What did the fishermen risk in following Jesus? What emotions might they have expressed when hearing Jesus’ call?
- How do teaching, proclaiming, and healing coincide with God’s coming kingdom? What do these activities reveal about Jesus’ identity?
Closure
Say: In the movie, The King’s Speech, Prince Albert, Duke of York, struggles with a debilitating stammer that threatens his ability to lead. With the help of unconventional speech therapist Lionel Logue, he confronts fear, trauma, and self-doubt, ultimately finding his voice to inspire Britain during the looming crisis of World War II as king George VI.
Show this clip from The King’s Speech, then ask the following questions:
- Why does Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) visit Lionel (Geoffrey Rush) during this scene? What is she seeking from him?
- What assumptions does Lionel have about the situation at the beginning of this scene? How do those assumptions change when hearing that Elizabeth’s husband is the Duke of York?
- What is the power dynamic between these characters? How does it change throughout the scene?
- Why does Lionel stand out as the only one who can help in this situation? How might his “unorthodox and controversial” methods be helpful?
- What impact could Lionel have when helping the Duke improve his speech? How does this scene demonstrate using unique skills and gifts to impact the lives of others?
Close with a prayer.
Writer: Devin Harris-Davis