At The Movies | The Journey Begins
Preparing for the Journey | Trust, Perseverance, & Hope
(Inspired by Sunday’s message: “Lord of the Rings”)
JULY 13TH - 18TH
Welcome to “At the Movies”! This sermon series, "At the Movies," draws inspiration from the storytelling genius of Jesus, who used parables to reveal profound truths about God and our relationship with Him. By exploring familiar stories from our own popular culture, we uncover the redemptive and enduring themes that resonate with the truths found in Scripture. This year, we start by embarking on a journey through "The Lord of the Rings," a tale of good versus evil, courage, hope, honor, and sacrifice. As we delve into this epic narrative, we will discover how its themes mirror the spiritual battles, challenges, and triumphs we face in our own lives, encouraging us to trust God, embrace our calling, and find hope in His promises.
There’s a lot to unpack here, so we’re going to give you all the good stuff up front so that you have everything you need to partner with the Holy Spirit this week. We believe He has something unique to say to you, so the goal of this week is simply to create space for a conversation with Him.
There’s a lot to unpack here, so we’re going to give you all the good stuff up front so that you have everything you need to partner with the Holy Spirit this week. We believe He has something unique to say to you, so the goal of this week is simply to create space for a conversation with Him.
Biblical Reflection on "The Lord of The Rings"
In our journey of faith, we are often called to trust God with our burdens, embrace our calling despite feelings of inadequacy, and persevere through trials. Like Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings," we may feel overwhelmed by the tasks before us, but God delights in using unlikely people to accomplish His purposes. Our trials can produce perseverance, character, and hope, and even in our failures, there is redemption through God's grace. We are not alone in this journey; we have the fellowship of believers and the promise of eternity with God, which gives us hope and courage to face each day. Explore these Biblical truths throughout this week using the Scripture, reflection questions, and prayer prompts below and see what the Holy Spirit has to say to you!
DAILY REFLECTIONS
Day 1 | Trusting God With Our Burdens
READING FOR MONDAY | MARK 10:21-22
Journaling Questions
- What are some things you are holding onto that God might be asking you to release?
- What’s one practical way you could practice trusting God with a challenge you’re facing today?
Prayer Prompt
Ask God for the courage to let go of what you hold dear and to trust Him with your future.
Song of Reflection
Trust in God (feat. Chris Brown)
Elevation Worship, Chris Brown
Elevation Worship, Chris Brown
Day 2 | Embracing Our Calling
READING FOR TUESDAY | JUDGES 6:14-16
Journaling Questions
- What is God calling you to do that feels beyond your capabilities?
- How can you rely on God's strength rather than your own?
Prayer Prompt
Pray for the confidence to embrace God's calling and for the assurance that He will equip you for the journey.
Song of Reflection
Available (Live)
Elevation Worship
Elevation Worship
Day 3 | Perseverance In Trials
READING FOR WEDNESDAY | ROMANS 5:3-5
Journaling Questions
- What trials are you currently facing, and how might God be using them to shape you?
- How can you find hope in the midst of your struggles?
Prayer Prompt
Ask God for strength to persevere and for the ability to see His purpose in your challenges.
Song of Reflection
Firm Foundation (He Won't)
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, Cody Carnes
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, Cody Carnes
Day 4 | Redemption After Failure
READING FOR THURSDAY | 2 TIMOTHY 2:13
Journaling Questions
- In what areas have you experienced failure, and how can you seek God's grace and forgiveness?
- How can God use your weaknesses as strengths for His Kingdom?
Prayer Prompt
Seek God's forgiveness for your failures and ask for His grace to find redemption and strength.
Song of Reflection
Come As You Are
The Worship Initiative, Shane & Shane
The Worship Initiative, Shane & Shane
Day 5 | The Power of Fellowship
READING FOR FRIDAY | HEBREWS 10:24-25
Journaling Questions
- How can you be a source of encouragement and support to others in your community?
- In what ways can you allow others to support you in your journey?
Prayer Prompt
Thank God for the gift of fellowship and pray for opportunities to encourage and support those facing challenges around you.
Song of Reflection
Hold Us Together
Matt Maher
Matt Maher
RESOURCES | For Further Study
Books
Videos
Articles
- "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis - This classic work explores the essence of Christian faith and the moral and spiritual challenges we face.
- "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - A profound exploration of what it means to truly follow Christ, emphasizing trust and sacrifice.
Videos
- The Royal Priesthood - This video by the Bible Project explores how the New Testament writers described followers of Jesus as God’s temple and the physical embodiment of Jesus on Earth and how they carry that responsibility forward into eternity, reclaiming humanity’s calling to represent God and rule the world on his behalf.
- The Gospel of Mark - Tracing the steps of Jesus and the Twelve through Israel, Francis Chan explores the major themes of the Gospel of Mark, and asks: Are we willing to take this journey to embrace discipleship?
Articles
- What Does It Look Like To Persevere In Trials? - After more than 55 years living with quadriplegia and chronic pain, Joni Eareckson Tada shares what it means to “press on” through suffering.
- What is Fortitude? - Richard Foster reflects on perseverance - that ability to stay with a task in the midst of every conceivable discouragement and setback.
Reader Highlight
As part of our "At the Movies" series, we invited readers of the Daily Rhythms blog to share their favorite movies or shows that reflect biblical themes. Today, we're excited to feature a submission from Victoria Nieves, a Compassion Staff member, who reflects on the film "A Walk to Remember." Through her insights, we explore how this beloved movie beautifully captures the essence of biblical themes, resonating with the transformative power of faith and love. Join us as we delve into Victoria's reflections and discover the spiritual lessons woven into this touching narrative.
In the heartwarming film "A Walk to Remember," we witness the profound impact of faith, love, and redemption on the lives of its characters, themes that resonate deeply with the truths found in Scripture and echo the epic narrative of "The Lord of the Rings." Both stories illustrate how unwavering faith and selfless love can lead to a deeper understanding of purpose and connection with others.
Victoria Nieves, reflecting on "A Walk to Remember," writes, "The character of Jamie Sullivan has a deep sense of faith and purpose. Her unwavering belief in God and commitment to being kind and living a life of integrity serve as an example of how faith can guide you through life’s challenges."
Victoria chose to highlight the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which speaks of love's patience, kindness, and enduring nature. Victoria notes, "The scripture is spoken in the movie and reflects the selfless love that Jamie and Landon developed throughout the movie." Their selfless love transforms Landon from a self-centered teenager into a compassionate individual, much like how the fellowship in "The Lord of the Rings" is united by love and loyalty, inspiring each member to become a better version of themselves.
Both stories emphasize hope and the strength that faith provides in the face of adversity. "A Walk to Remember" and "The Lord of the Rings" both showcase the transformative power of faith and love, encouraging us to trust in God's truth and embrace the journey of His calling on our lives. As Victoria Nieves beautifully captures, these stories illustrate how "faith, love, and redemption resonate with God’s truth in many ways."
In the heartwarming film "A Walk to Remember," we witness the profound impact of faith, love, and redemption on the lives of its characters, themes that resonate deeply with the truths found in Scripture and echo the epic narrative of "The Lord of the Rings." Both stories illustrate how unwavering faith and selfless love can lead to a deeper understanding of purpose and connection with others.
Victoria Nieves, reflecting on "A Walk to Remember," writes, "The character of Jamie Sullivan has a deep sense of faith and purpose. Her unwavering belief in God and commitment to being kind and living a life of integrity serve as an example of how faith can guide you through life’s challenges."
Victoria chose to highlight the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which speaks of love's patience, kindness, and enduring nature. Victoria notes, "The scripture is spoken in the movie and reflects the selfless love that Jamie and Landon developed throughout the movie." Their selfless love transforms Landon from a self-centered teenager into a compassionate individual, much like how the fellowship in "The Lord of the Rings" is united by love and loyalty, inspiring each member to become a better version of themselves.
Both stories emphasize hope and the strength that faith provides in the face of adversity. "A Walk to Remember" and "The Lord of the Rings" both showcase the transformative power of faith and love, encouraging us to trust in God's truth and embrace the journey of His calling on our lives. As Victoria Nieves beautifully captures, these stories illustrate how "faith, love, and redemption resonate with God’s truth in many ways."