Here are ten random movies you can use for Youth Ministry Discussion. Some you might have already thought about, others you might be surprised by. Most of these movies will have portions that are not necessarily appropriate, necessary, or agreeable, but the main story of each one is what I was going for. Feel free to add your two cents on any of these choices, and be sure to look for my next installment of 10 movies you can use down the road. Perhaps this might become a regular item, hmm?
- Saved – great for exploring what Christianity can be perceived as and what some of it boils down into when we withdraw from the rest of society. Senior High and College appropriate.
- Constantine – Thought-provoking and head scratching plot that will force viewers to really question just how far their own beliefs run when it comes to the supernatural. Upper-Senior High and College appropriate.
- Spider-Man Trilogy – Great examples of pride, ego, sin, sacrifice, evil, fallenness, greed, love and redemption. Junior High through College appropriate.
- Batman Begins – Opens up viewers to really discuss the ideas of fear, self-denial, heroism, and redemption. Senior High and College appropriate.
- Superman Returns – You know the story by now, everyone jumped on it. But honestly, there is a lot of imagery that can be used to draw viewer’s hearts toward Christ and His sacrifice for humanity. Senior High and College appropriate.
- Rebound – Follows a prideful, arrogant coach who is humbled and ultimately redeemed through the process. Junior High and Senior High appropriate.
- X-Men Trilogy – Topics such as slavery, pride, envy, racism, heroism, sacrifice, love and more can be drawn from these three films, especially X2. Senior High and College appropriate.
- Elf – Use this film to explore the idea of faith like a child, family values, hope and joy. Junior High and Senior High appropriate.
- Crash – Great exploration of human nature, sin, fallenness, restoration, depravity, redemption and more. Upper Senior High and College appropriate.
- Frequency – This movie explores the idea of communication, family bonds and values, love, support, heroism and more. Senior High and college appropriate.
Filed under: Creative, Entertainment, Instruction, Ministry, Ministry Resourcing, Movies, Youth Ministry
[...] The movie was an excellent choice (and voted upon last week in Sunday School democratically). We saw National Treasure: Book of Secrets. It provided us with a lot of discussion topics, and gave us much entertainment for 2 hours. If you are interested, check out my more in-depth review of it here. Needless to say, I do recommend it for Youth Ministry. So add it to the list! [...]
Might I add Bruce Almighty to the list. Its a perfect take on what a sinner would do if given the power of God.
Thanks for the list.
Scott
http://www.wildhorsehope.wordpress.com
that is indeed a good title to add to the list
I found this post becuase I want our youth group to be showing films once in a while that motivate discussion of issues. Fellowship is important but so is learning and framing the issue.
Are there documentaries anyone has shown that work for junior high and early high school?
Keep running into the argument that youth should just be fun, very frustrating.
Vicki – I feel for you in your predicament of “Youth Ministry should just be fun.” Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. I will lift you up in prayer in your trials in that. Keep pressing on and continue to work towards depth and thought-provoking programming.
as far as documentaries, i recently saw American Teen which gives a fair look at high school life, and even though it is typical documentary (in other words, it is terribly one-sided), Expelled should get people talking, especially if you have people who fall on different sides of the evolution coin.