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When [Mary and
Joseph] had fulfilled all the prescriptions of
the law of
the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of
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| Gospelthink: I grew up in a normal way. Am I growing in a truly Christian way as I live? | ||||||
The final scene of
the movie "Courageous" is Adam Mitchell's speech to his church's
congregation about the importance of being a father. Referring to his
own statement of commitment which he called "Resolution," he urges
other fathers
to be what they must be in
today's world. It is perhaps the most important speech about fathers
that has been made in a modern movie. Beginning with the firm
conviction, "I do
solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my
wife, and my children," his "Resolution" is a profound promise to put
God's work as the priority in living. His speech and the movie show
that
if more fathers would understand their unique role in the family and
community, our lives would be infinitely better than they are right
now.
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The
Scriptures are sparse when they talk about how Jesus grew up. No doubt,
because he was fully human, his life was the normal life of a son in a family of first
century Palestine. The Scriptures simply say that he "grew and became
strong." Then, as now, the parents were essential for the young person
in order to grow well.
The importance of parents and especially the father is the stress of the movie "Courageous." During the movie, Adam Mitchell composed a "Resolution" which outlined his role as a father and a parent. It is a statement that every parent should live, and every young person should study as he/she prepares to be a parent someday: RESOLUTION
I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children. I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home. I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me. I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength. I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly. I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy. I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion. I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family. I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God. I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will. I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). |
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PRAYER
Good
and gracious
God, you have given us the command to populate the earth. As we live
out your command, we pray that you will give parents the grace they
need to direct the young, and children the grace they need to obey
their parents. Be with us, we pray.
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+++++
GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT
Theme: The most important task a married man has is to be a father to the family. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 60 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. What does it mean to say that Jesus found "favor with God." 3. In today's world, who are the people who find favor with God? Why? 4. Project: make a presentation on the life of a family in first century Palestine. See Raymond Brown, The Birth of the Messiah, or John Meier A Marginal Jew. 5. In your opinion, on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is high, how important is a father to a family? How important is a mother? Why? 6. Analysis: "Resolution": what statement in the reading is most striking to you and why? 7. Analysis: In your opinion, what percentage of fathers live up to the "Resolution" among the Christian people in America today? What is your reasoning for the percentage you gave? 8. Scene analysis: Mitchell's family after the tragedy, and the statement: "We're going to be okay, aren't we?" What is the best way for a family to react to a tragedy such as this? 9. Scene analysis: Adam at first did not want to involve others in the "Resolution." Is it a good practice to tell others to make you accountable for a promise that you make? Yes or no and why? 10. Scene analysis: David's story: he has a child that he has not been concerned about. Do you think that this happens often? Yes or no and why? 11. Dialogue analysis: Adam's prayer: "Thank you for the nine years I had Emily." This is the exact attitude that should be the way to react to such a tragedy. What percentage of Christian people are able to pray in this manner after a tragedy? 12. Dialogue analysis: the preacher's sermon at the formal ceremony of the "Resolution," and his statement, that you will need courage, courage, courage. Why is courage so necessary? 13. Dialogue analysis: Adam to his son Dylan--"I pray that you seek the Lord and that you trust him." Fathers usually do not speak to their sons this way. Is it a good practice? Yes or no and why? 14. Scene analysis: Would you have reported Shane to the authorities the way Adam did? Yes or no and why? 15. Scene analysis: Nathan gives the "ring" to Jade. What is your opinion of this action? Why? 16. Scene analysis: Adam visits Shane in prison. Note that Adam accepts the responsibility for his action of reporting Shane by keeping him in his circle of friends. Also: Nathan's visiting Derrick in prison. Do you think that most people would do this? Yes or no and why? 17. Scene analysis: Javier's behavior at the test. Do you think that most people would respond the way Javier did? Yes or no and why? 18. Scene analysis: Derrick's action to "save" Nathan. What is your guess concerning Derrick's future? Why? 19. Analysis: What is the best way to get Christian fathers of the world to accept the "Resolution"? 20. What does the movie "Courageous" teach a young person? |
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©2007
Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |
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