Would you want to be a Newsie?

Would you say the newsies were good or bad?

They certainly worked hard and looked out for one another, which is good.

They also were fairly dishonest and violent at times, which is bad.

The newsies were poor and had a hard life. Does that make it okay for them to lie or act violently?

Even though circumstances make it harder to obey God we are still required to obey.

Proverbs 30:8-9 says, “give me neither poverty nor riches…lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

So, we see that though both poverty and riches bring unique temptations they don’t excuse our sin. Thankfully, there is grace in Jesus.

Why did Pulitzer decide to charge the newsies more for newspapers?

He wanted to make more money.

Ultimately, greed was the reason so many of the children were working in such poor conditions and often for nothing.

We don’t always know why God allows sad things like this to happen. But we do know a few things for sure: God is good, God knows all things, God is perfectly wise, God is in control and God will ultimately punish all sin justly. So even if we don’t understand why sad things happen like child labor, we can trust that God who sees and knows many things we don’t will use it for good and punish sin, both on the cross for those who trust in him and on judgment day.

How did the newsies free kids all over the city from working in unjust conditions?

They published the truth about child labor so that everyone could read it.

God also proclaimed the truth so that people could be free. How?

He gave us the truth of the gospel in the Bible. The gospel that Jesus Christ–who is the way, the truth, and the life–came to die on the cross and rise from the dead so all who trust in him are saved.

The freedom that Jesus offers is the happiest freedom and it lasts forever.

Would you like to be raised in the jungle like Mowgli?

What are some things you couldn’t learn being raised by animals?

You couldn’t learn to read, write, or speak. You couldn’t be taught the difference between right and wrong. Most importantly, an animal couldn’t teach you the good news about God and how he saved us.

God made every creature in the sky and on land and in the sea. In fact, we’re still discovering species of creatures God has made. If you discovered a different type of fish every day for 50 years there would still be more to discover! God is so creative and powerful. But God made humans different than animals.

How did God make us different from animals?

We are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). He also gave us authority and dominion over the earth and the animals (Gen. 1:28). We also have souls which live forever (Ecc. 12:7). We will live forever like God and always be with him (1 Thess. 4:17). This is great news because it means if we trust in Christ then when we die it’s more like falling asleep since our souls immediately go to heaven with God while our bodies on earth just await the resurrection (1 Thess. 4:14-18).

Bagheera and Baloo don’t want to take Mowgli to the village of humans, but they know it’s the right thing to do. What are times when you have to do the right thing even if you don’t want to?

Obeying God is always the right thing to do, but it’s not always the thing we want to do. Sometimes we know we need to tell the truth but we don’t want to. Or we know we need to clean our room or share, but don’t want to.

Why should we obey in those situations and do the right thing?

Most of all we should obey because we trust God. God made the entire universe. He is so powerful, smart, and wise. He also loves us so much that he gave his Son to save us. Why wouldn’t we trust him and honor him by obeying him?

We should also know that disobedience might seem like the fun, easy thing to do, but in the end it leads to pain and sadness. Proverbs 4:18-19 says,

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know over what they stumble.

The path of sin seems light but leads to darkness. The path of obedience seems hard but leads to light, life and happiness with God.

Bagheera and Baloo gave up their time and even risked their lives to help and save Mowgli. Who has done that for you?

Certainly your parents or guardians. Maybe an Uncle or Aunt? Perhaps a friend has been helpful to you.

The person who has laid down their life more than anyone to love you is God. Jesus didn’t risk

Sonic likes being the hero, but also disregards the destruction he causes. Unlike that, how should we serve others?

We should serve in a way that glorifies God, not ourselves (Matt. 5:16). We should do what’s best for others because of how Jesus loved (2 Cor. 5:14). It’s also good for us to work with a team like Sonic learns to do at the end of the movie. God has gifted us, but he hasn’t given us every gift. It’s fun and freeing to rely on others and celebrate how God has gifted them.

When Sonic meets Knuckles he’s surprised and humbled by how fast and strong he is. How should we respond when we meet people who are as gifted or more gifted than us?

We shouldn’t worry or be sad because God loves us. If God says we are his child and loved (Zeph. 3:17) than what does it matter if we are better than others?

The Master Emerald gives ultimate power to whoever has it. Is it a good thing that the Master Emerald doesn’t exist in real life?

Yes! Scripture tells us that we have all sinned (Rom. 3:23), and even Christians continue to sin (Rom. 7). So, it’s typically not good when one person has too much power.

Who does have ultimate power?

God!

How is God ultimately powerful?

He made all things, he sustains all things, he knows all things (Col. 1:15-20; Rom. 11:33). Thankfully, he’s not just powerful but perfectly good.

Why is it crucial that God is not just powerful but also good?

If he was good but not powerful he’d be nice but unable to help us. If he was powerful and not good we’d fear him and what he might do. But he’s powerful and good, and that’s great news!

What changed Knuckles heart toward Sonic?

When Sonic risks his life to save him, even though he was an enemy.

What’s a real-life example of someone laying down their life to love an enemy?

American President William McKinley had a wife who had very bad health. He regularly took breaks from his busy schedule to care for her. Sadly, McKinley was shot by a person who didn’t like him. Before McKinley died he said he forgave the guy who shot him, because Jesus had forgiven him.

Jesus’ example of laying down his life for his enemies is the greatest example of all. Romans 5:8 says, “For God shows his love for us in this: while we were sinners Christ died for us.”

Everyone in Mirabel’s family has a unique magical gift. What are some of the gifts that God has given each member of your family?

How do those gifts bless your family?

Why does God give us gifts and talents?

We are given gifts not to serve ourselves, but to serve others, especially the church. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Mirabel is sad because she isn’t given a magical gift. How can we be happy if we aren’t gifted like others?

Gifts are a blessing, but the greatest gift of all is that we are loved by God. If God loved us so much that he died for us, then even if we don’t have gifts that others do we can still be happy.

In the movie, Luisa feels like she is going to crack under the pressure of feeling like she always needs to be perfect. Do you ever feel like that?

What should we do when we feel worried that we can’t be perfect?

We must remember that we can’t be perfect because we all sin. In fact, 1 John 1:8 says, “if anyone claims to be without sin, he is a liar and the truth is not him.” Thankfully, Jesus was perfect. He never cracked under the pressure, but died on the cross in our place so we could be perfect in his sight. Now, if we’ve trusted in Christ, we work to please our loving, heavenly Father (Col. 3:23), and if we try our best and fail we are still loved by him, and we can learn from our mistakes.

Mirabel’s grandma, Abuela Madrigal, ends up valuing the magical family gifts more than her family. What do you tend to wrongly value more than people?

We should value God more than anything or anyone (Matt. 22:37-39), and we should love people next after God. When we value things over God and people we hurt others and we don’t use our gifts or possessions to bless others, which is the most fun way to use them.

How can we grow to value God and people more than things?

By seeing how God valued us by dying in our place. We don’t deserve his love, but by his grace he died for us. When we trust in Christ we know he’s forgiven us and loves us and that causes us to love and value him more than anything. When we’re filled up with God’s love we want to pour it into others. Also, when we love God first we want to obey him by loving people.

What made George Bailey sad?

He was worried he would go out of business.

Why was he losing his business?

Cause Uncle Billy accidentally lost $8,000 and Mr. Potter found it and didn’t say anything.

Why do people steal and act greedily?

Because of sin. Adam and Even were the first people to disobey God in Genesis 3 and ever since then we all sin.

What effect does sin have on the world?

It brings destruction everywhere. Mr. Potter and George Bailey’s life are illustrations of the sadness and destruction sin brings.

Who saves George’s life?

An angel.

Do you think angels act on their own apart from God?

No. Throughout the Bible angels simply do the will of God. They carry out his commands. But God does say he commands angels to protect us (Ps. 91:11). God watches over us in his power and one of the ways he does that is through angels.

Does this mean we can act recklessly because God will send angels to protect us?

No. In Matthew 4:5-7 Satan tempts Jesus to jump off the top of the temple and then he quotes Psalm 91:11 that God will send angels to protect him. But Jesus responds with Deut. 6:16, which says we shouldn’t test God but should act responsibly.

George is shown what the world would be like without him. How does it make him feel?

It makes him desperately want to keep living.

What do you think the world would be like without you?

I’m sure it would be crazy to see what the world would be like without us, but here’s a more important question: what do you think the world would be like without Jesus?

Very sad. Without us there may be some good things that wouldn’t happen, but we’ve also done bad things. The great news is that Christ did come. George Bailey got to keep living, but all of us eventually die in this life. But because Jesus came, we not only get to live in this world, but forever with him in heaven.

Was it good that the Vikings fought to protect their village from the dragons?

Yes. One of the reasons God gave men strength was to protect others.

Where did the Vikings make a mistake when it came to the dragons?

They always assumed they couldn’t be friendly.

What should we do if we are scared someone might hurt us or others?

As a kid it’s always best to tell your parents if anyone makes you feel scared or uncomfortable. We should remove ourselves from a situation if we are scared someone might harm us, and then we can always ask our parents or a responsible adult we trust.

The Bible tells us to do everything we can to live at peace with others (Rom. 12:18). Adults should do their best to ask questions in order to figure out if a person is peaceful. In general, it’s good to assume the best about people unless we have good reason to believe otherwise.

Who was more brave, the dragon fighters or Hiccup?

Hiccup was too small to fight the dragons, but facing one up close and risking great harm to befriend Toothless was actually very brave. It is sometimes scary to love people who aren’t like us or forgive people who have hurt us, but that is truly brave and it’s what Jesus did with us.

The same is true about controlling our temper and strength. Proverbs 16:32 says, “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” It actually shows greater power to control our temper than being able to destroy a whole city with our strength.

What do you think would be the best part about having a dragon like Toothless for a friend?

As great as it would be it can’t compare to the greatness of having God as a friend. What are some great things about having God as our friend?

The dragons were all enslaved to the one big dragon. How were we enslaved and how does Jesus save us?

We all were enslaved to sin. It made us do whatever it pleased like the dragons did for the master dragon, but Jesus freed us when he crushed death and sin. He died in our place on the cross and rose again. Whoever believes in him has forgiveness and freedom.

We might not train a dragon, but we have been saved by God and are being trained by Christ to be more and more like him and that is better news than having a million dragons.

Flick has a reputation for wasting his time with inventions and for being a “failure,” but did he do anything wrong?

Flick was sincerely trying to use his creativity to help the colony and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. However, he tends to be hasty and not aware of what’s going on around him (like when he was throwing stalks behind him and it was hitting the queen). The Bible says, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way” (Prov. 19:2) Even when our intentions are good, we must act wisely and not be too hasty (like when Flick threw his contraption by the offering and it hit a rock causing the whole thing to fall).

How could the other ants have treated Flick better?

They could have been kinder to him by encouraging him about his impressive inventions, and gently helping him see the importance of being aware of his surroundings and the harmfulness of hastiness.

Why are the grasshoppers so mean to the ants?

Hopper later explains that he wants the ants to be scared so that they never try to stand up to them and threaten the grasshopper’s way of life. The grasshoppers didn’t need the ants to give them food; they were using them to make their life easier. That is a sin according to the Bible which says we should love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). That doesn’t mean all people will always have the same amount of money or possessions, but it does mean we should never gain dishonestly or by using others unjustly.

What should we do if others are mean to us or try to scare us into doing things we don’t want to do?

We should pray and talk about it immediately with our parents or someone we trust.

When Flick stands up to Hopper the other ants are inspired and overrun the grasshoppers. What should inspire us to treat others rightly and obey God’s Word?

When Christians think of how Jesus stood up to sin by dying on the cross, and conquered sin and death by rising from the grave, we are emboldened to lay down our life for others and obey God no matter how difficult that is. Like God’s Word says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our life for the brothers” (1 John 3:16) and “The love of Christ controls us” (2 Cor. 5:14).

How would you describe Michael and Jane’s dad in the beginning of the movie?

He isn’t a good listener, doesn’t communicate to his kids that he loves them and is fairly prideful.

Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done there is an element of fun.” Should we always try to make cleaning up and working fun like Mary Poppins does?

We should always try to find the fun in things and reasons to be thankful, but sometimes tasks will be hard no matter what we do. In those times we should discipline ourselves to do the work anyway. Learning to work hard is called work ethic. The Bible doesn’t promise us that obeying God will always be fun at the time, but he does promise that it will be a blessing in the end. We should learn to work hard to please God rather than others.

In the end, Michael and Jane’s dad quits his job and flies a kite with them. Did he make the right choice?

Mr. Banks rightly chooses relationships over money, although, we obviously need to work and this means we can’t always be with people or do the fun things we’d like to. If a job requires us to disobey God then we should pursue a different one.

The kids have a great time with Mary Poppins singing many songs, laughing, using their imaginations and having “jolly holidays.” Mr. Banks, on the other hand, says these activities don’t have much value. Who is right?

God gave us life and this world to enjoy so we should laugh, use our God-given imaginations and go on adventures. Christians should have more joy and fun than anyone regardless of their circumstances. However, we should also take great joy in working for God and his glory since that is why we were made (Isa. 43:7). Nothing should give us greater pleasure than making God look good. The greatest “jolly holiday” for Christians will be in heaven. With that to look forward to, we can work hard and joyfully for God here on earth.

Babe is called “stupid,” and so are the sheep. Is that a kind word to use to describe someone?

No. The Bible uses the word “fool” to describe someone who is not wise, lacks self-control and acts irrationally (Prov. 10:14; 12:15; 26:11). Though it is okay to recognize certain behavior as foolish we usually shouldn’t call someone stupid or a fool to their face since it wouldn’t be kind or loving.

Are sheep actually foolish or stupid?

In the movie, the animals can talk and think like humans. However, this isn’t realistic. In reality, pigs and sheep are not the smartest animals. When the Bible describes us as sheep (Ps. 23) that need to be led by God, it isn’t a compliment. Sheep easily lose their way and if they are lost they can’t find their way home and will often get paralyzed with fear and not try to move.

How does Babe treat the sheep compared to the sheepdogs?

The sheepdogs yell at the sheep and use fear to get them to do what they want. Babe talks to them kindly and asks them. In real life, we should always treat people the way Babe did since we are called to love others as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39) and be kind with our words (Eph. 4:29-32).

Babe’s owner is laughed at for entering Babe into the sheepdog competition, but he does it anyway. What do we learn from that about being a Christian?

Sometimes people will laugh at Christians for what we believe. But that is okay. In fact, it’s more than okay. Peter even tells us to “rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s suffering, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ you are blessed for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Pet. 4:13-14).

Babe ends up winning the sheepdog competition. Should we always try to be whatever we want to be, like Babe?

Yes and no. On one hand it is okay to have dreams and pursue them, but on the other hand God gave us certain gifts and limitations. The Bible describes the church as a body made up of different parts. If a hand tries to be a foot it’s not going to work, as much as they want to be a foot. We should always subject our dreams to God’s will and be content to serve God in whatever role he gives us.

Scripture says Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are his sheep (John 10:11-12). As our shepherd how does Jesus treat us?

Jesus doesn’t threaten us like the sheepdogs. He’s kind like Babe but he also doesn’t ask us politely as if he needed us to do him a favor. He’s God and is all powerful! Yet, he actually laid down his life for us in love. He leads us by setting the perfect example for us and dying and suffering for us. There is nothing that God asks us to do that he hasn’t first done perfectly (Heb. 4:15). Because he died for us we get to joyfully follow him and offer him our lives and our hearts in obedience (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

In the beginning of the movie, Lightning McQueen decides to take on Francesco in a race because he doesn’t like being made fun of. Is that a good reason to do something?

Not really. We should always try to act wisely and according to God’s Word, not according to what will preserve our pride. We can also trust God’s Word when it says, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). We can trust that whoever is acting arrogantly will be humbled so we don’t have to worry about them.

Was McQueen a good friend to Mater?

Initially he is when he invited him on the trip, but then he gets embarrassed by Mater and later frustrated by him when he loses the race. James 1:19 says, “Let everyone of you be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” McQueen could have been slower to get angry and done a better job listening to Mater rather than assuming he wasn’t telling the truth about what happened during the race. McQueen also could have cared less about what other people thought of him.

Did Mater do anything wrong?

Mater was just being himself and there is nothing wrong with that. However, we should make an effort to act appropriately depending on the circumstances as long as that doesn’t mean disobeying God. It would have been thoughtful for Mater to have spoken less at the party and been more reserved knowing that this was a very big occasion for McQueen. This would be obeying the second greatest commandment to love our neighbor as ourself (Matt. 22:37-39). So both McQueen and Mater could have acted better.

Why did the bad guys want to hurt the racers using Allinol?

It was a ploy to make everyone want to keep using regular oil, which they owned a great amount of at their off-shore oil rigs shown in the beginning of the movie.

How did the bad guys disobey Scripture?

They broke at least four different commandments. They loved money and themselves more than God (First commandment – Exd. 20:3), they lied (The ninth commandment – Exd. 20:16), they tried to make money dishonestly which is like stealing (The eighth commandment – Exd. 20:15) and they killed or badly injured many (The sixth commandment – Exd. 20:13).

Did McQueen forgive Mater in the end?

Yes. McQueen stops in the middle of the race to chase after Mater and so obeyed Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Unfortunately, when he did this there was a bomb attached to Mater.

In the end, Mater saves McQueen. Their friendship is also saved. What is the most important relationship in our life and how was it saved?

Our relationship with God is the most important relationship in our life, and it was saved in an incredible way. We sinned against God and deserved to be separated from him forever (Rom. 3:23; 6:23), yet God didn’t leave us but saw our sad situation (Ps. 102:18-22). God, in love, did the unthinkable when he came to earth to die on the cross to pay for our sins (Mark 10:45). Now, whoever believes in Christ has their sins forgiven and are restored to a right relationship with God (John 3:16)!

Would you describe Lightning McQueen as proud or humble in the beginning of the movie?

Even though he is very gifted he is proud. Even if someone is very talented they shouldn’t be prideful because everything they have has been given to them as a gift from God. Scripture tells us, “What do you have that you have not received from God? If then you have received it why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Cor. 4:7)

Does Lightning get humbled and was that a good thing?

He does get humbled when he’s forced to stay in Radiator Springs to fix the road and it was a good thing because it humbled him. The Bible says pride comes before the fall and that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but he who humbled himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

How do the people in Radiator Springs treat Lightning and what effect does that have on him?

They treat him kindly for the most part and he ends up loving the people and the town. Even though Lightning was rude to them they responded with kindness. Jesus said we should treat others kindly even if they mistreat us. When we do they will often not only love us back but want to love the God who made us forgiving toward them.

Doc and Lightning race around the dirt track and Doc doesn’t hurry because he knows Lightning will drive into the bushes later. Christians also don’t have to worry about what might happen in the future. Why?

Like Doc, Christians know what is going to happen in the future. We know that God loves us (1 John 3:16), forgives us (1 John 1:9), will work everything for our good (Rom. 8:28), and we will go to be with him forever (John 14:3). Therefore, we don’t have to worry but can work joyfully and “heartily for the Lord and not for man” in whatever we do (Col. 3:23).

In the final race Lightning has a chance to win but stops to help his friend after he crashes. Did he do the right thing? Why?

Jesus said that the two most important commands are to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39). Winning a race or a game is way down the list of things that are important to God. It’s moving when people put loving others before winning and shows they have priorities similar to God’s. We should too.

This Kids Movie Talking Point is not an endorsement of this movie or a recommendation to watch it with kids. This movie contains fairly inappropriate content particularly for some ages.

Buddy doesn’t seem to fit in at the North Pole and that makes him sad. If we don’t feel like we fit in does that mean we aren’t valuable?

Of course not! Regardless of what talents we have or how people treat us, we are valuable because we are made by God and loved by Him (Gen. 1:27).

How did Buddy get to the North Pole?

He climbed in Santa’s sack at the orphanage he was at.

Why was Buddy at an orphanage?

Sadly, not all parents are married when they have kids, which can cause pain in the life of the kids and parents. That is why God designed us to only have children when we are married. Because of sin, sometimes children are born to parents who aren’t married and that has painful consequences. Yet, no matter what circumstances children are born in they are a blessing and made beautifully in God’s image (Ps. 139:13-14).

Why is Buddy’s dad, Walter, on the naughty list?

He’s dishonest and unkind. He also tends to neglect his family for work.

How does Walter’s sin affect others, including his family?

His boss almost fires him because he decides to print blank pages in a children’s book, and his son doesn’t like being with him because he feels ignored.

Why does Buddy love his dad so much, even though he isn’t kind to him?

God made children to obey their father and mother (Exd 20:12) and fathers to love and encourage their kids (1 Thess. 2:11-12), which is why children often care what their father thinks of them. No matter what some people might say, we all want a good relationship with our parents, especially our dad.

Buddy and his family and friends end up saving the day by spreading Christmas cheer. What is actually the best way to spread Christmas cheer?

By telling people about Jesus!

The real meaning of Christmas is that God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. At the end of the movie, the people in Central Park stood with their jaws dropped watching Santa’s sleigh soar through the sky, but the actual story of Christmas is much more amazing. Angels appear to shepherds in the sky praising God (Luke 2:13-14) and a bright star shows the wise men where Christ was. They all came to worship the king of the world, the Son of God in the flesh.

Christ didn’t come to give gifts to the people on the nice list, he came to give himself to save those on the naughty list. We’ve all sinned, but through Christ we can be perfect. That’s the news that truly spreads Christmas cheer.

Is it good for people to live all alone like the Grinch?

No. God said in Genesis that it wasn’t good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). God created us for his glory, but also to love others (Matt. 22:37-38) and live in community with them so we can learn from them (Prov. 27:17).

Is the Grinch kind or mean? Does that make him happy or sad?

The Grinch is angry and bitter at the Whos in Whoville and it made him sad. When we give into bitterness and anger it makes us unhappy. God tells us to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Eph. 4:31-32). When we disobey God’s Word and give into anger it makes us unhappy like the Grinch.

Who is kind to the Grinch? Do you think she should have been nice to him?

Yes, even though the Grinch is mean to her Cindy Lou Who is right to be kind to him. Jesus told us to love others as we would want them to love us. He said in Luke 6:32, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” Christians can forgive because they know how much God has forgiven them. That’s what enables them to love others even when they don’t deserve it.

After the Grinch steals the presents what does he hear that confuses him?
He hears the Whos singing in their town, even though they have no presents. He thought they loved Christmas just because of the presents, but he was wrong.

Some people believe that Christians only love God because of the blessings he can give them. This is actually wrong. We should love God more than the gifts he can give us. Paul said he could be content in all situations because he had Christ (Php. 4:11-13). Psalms 73:25-26 says, “Whom have I in heaven but you (God) and there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.” It can confuse people when they see Christians who are happy even when sad things happen to them, and sometimes this leads those people to want to love God.

The Grinch is changed by the Whos singing. What has God done for us that causes us to be loving and generous to others?

When we see how generous God has been to us by lovingly dying for us it makes us overflow with generosity in love toward God and others. As 2 Cor. 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor so that you by his poverty might become rich.” When we realize God loved us and died for us we can be loving and generous to others.

God made marriage to never be broken, but Charlie’s parents aren’t married anymore. What effect does that have on Charlie and his parents?

He’s sad that he can’t be with both of his parents on Christmas, and is frustrated by them fighting. Our sin doesn’t just effect us, but almost always effects those we love too.

Is Charlie’s dad, Scott Calvin, kind to Charlie and others?

Not really. He lies to his mom about being stuck in traffic. He is short and frustrated with his questions and doesn’t put much thought into a delicious Christmas Eve dinner.

Charlie’s dad grows frustrated with him asking questions about how Santa visits every house on Christmas and finally responds, “Sometimes believing in something means…you just believe in it.” Is that true about God?

No. It is true that faith is the conviction of things unseen (Heb. 11:1), but we are also told to give a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Pet. 3:15). Though, we can’t take someone to the resurrected Jesus and show them his nail-scarred hands, Christianity gives a reasonable faith with arguments more convincing than the answer Charlie’s dad gives, “He sucks it in like grandpa.” However, it is somewhat true that seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing. The Holy Spirit softens our hearts to desire God and to stop denying Him.

Do you think it was right that Charlie’s mom tried to separate him from his dad, Scott?

In real life if someone was dressing up like Santa Clause to feed a child’s imagination and win their affection, it would be concerning. Yet, this movie does remind us that we should always look into things before we are sure.

Santa Clause eventually gives Charlie’s mom and stepfather the presents they had wanted when they were kids and they finally believe. Does God know everything we want? If so, does that mean he should give us everything we want?

God knows all things, including what we want and desire. However, he also knows what is ultimately best for us. So we should trust that he will give us perfect gifts according to his perfect wisdom (Rom. 8:28; 11:33).

Charlie’s dad gives him a globe to shake whenever he wants to see him. In reality, that would be impossible, even for Santa. But what can we do when we want to talk to God?

We can pray whenever we want for however long we want. We can also hear from God whenever we want in his Word. We can even memorize the words he has spoken to us! We know he hears us when we pray in Christ’s name. Jesus told us to pray to him in his name, because he died for us on the cross so if we believed in him our sins are forgiven and we are brought into a perfect relationship with God. Because of Jesus we can pray to God and read his word knowing he loves us and will work all things in our life for our ultimate good.

God made marriage to never be broken, but Charlie’s parents aren’t married anymore. What effect does that have on Charlie and his parents?

He’s sad that he can’t be with both of his parents on Christmas, and is frustrated by them fighting. Our sin doesn’t just effect, but almost always effects those we love too.

Is Charlie’s dad, Scott Calvin, kind to Charlie and others?

Not really. He lies to his mom about being stuck in traffic. He is short and frustrated with his questions and doesn’t put much thought into a delicious Christmas Eve dinner.

Charlie’s dad grows frustrated with him asking questions about how Santa visits every house on Christmas and finally responds, “Sometimes believing in something means…you just believe in it.” Is that true about God?

No. It is true that faith is the conviction of things unseen (Heb. 11:1), but we are also told to give a reason for the hope that is in us. Paul appeals to eye-witnesses of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15). Though, we can’t take someone to the resurrected Jesus and show them his nail-scarred hands, Christianity gives a reasonable faith with arguments more convincing than, “He sucks it in like grandpa.” However, it is somewhat true that seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing. The Holy Spirit enables us to see clearly that God created the world and died for us in Christ.

Do you think it was right that Charlie’s mom tried to separate him from his dad, Scott?

In real life if someone was dressing up like Santa Clause to feed a child’s imagination and win their affection, it would be concerning. Yet, this movie does remind us that we should always look into things before we are sure.

Santa Clause eventually gives Charlie’s mom and stepfather the presents they had wanted when they were kids and they finally believe. Does God know everything we want? If so, does that mean he should give us everything we want?

God knows all things, including what we want and desire. However, he also knows what is ultimately best for us. So we should trust that he will give us perfect gifts according to his perfect wisdom (Rom. 8:28; 11:33).

Charlie’s dad gives him a globe to shake whenever he wants to see him. In reality, that would be impossible, even for Santa. But what can we do when we want to talk to God?

We can pray whenever we want for however long we want. We can also hear from God whenever we want in his Word. We can even memorize the words he has spoken to us! We know he hears us when we pray in Christ’s name. Jesus told us to pray to him in his name, because he died for us on the cross so if we believed in him our sins are forgiven and we are brought into a perfect relationship with God. Because of Jesus we can pray to God and read his word knowing he loves us and will work all things in our life for our ultimate good.

The Polar Express tells the story of an awesome adventure. How would you like to climb aboard the Polar Express for an awesome adventure?

How is it an adventure being a Christian?

When Jesus told the disciples, “Follow me,” they had no idea what they were in for. People being healed, water being turned to wine, people being raised from the dead, walking on water, crazy storms being calmed, the sorrow of Jesus dying, then the elation of him rising from the dead! Following Jesus is an adventure like no other. It’s especially exciting when we obey him.

One kid in the movie wasn’t very humble. Do you remember which one? What did he do that was wrong? How can we be humble in how we speak?

Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another praise you, not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips.” We should always let another praise us. We should also use our words to build up (Eph. 4:29) and to love others, rather than making ourselves seem great.

Throughout the movie the kids don’t quite obey the rules. Does that lead to things being better or worse?

Worse. We should listen to those God puts in authority over us unless they tell us to disobey Scripture. When we obey Scripture it generally leads to blessing. When we disobey it often leads to pain in our life.

The main character in the movie wants to believe in Santa and is frustrated that he can’t hear the bells. What should we do when we want to believe in God?

Scripture says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:14). It’s that simple. Yet, we can also go to God in prayer to ask him to increase our faith like one man who said to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”

Eventually the main character sees Santa, and Santa even lets him keep the bell to help him always believe. How has God revealed himself to us? What has he done to help us always believe?

God has revealed himself to us through his Word to encourage us and teach us (2 Tim. 3:16). Most wonderfully, God became man in Jesus and died on the cross for us so that we could believe in him and have our sins forgiven. We have so much more than a bell! Our names are graven on his hands and written on his heart!

In Frozen 2 Elsa is driven by a voice she keeps hearing that is calling her into the “unknown.” She follows that voice and it leads her to a forest where the prejudice sins of her ancestors are revealed. Elsa travels deeper into the unknown to a mysterious ice palace where the four forces of the world dwell. Surprisingly, she finds that she is the fifth force of the world. She then freezes at the trauma of discovering the truth behind her people’s sins, but is unfrozen by the destruction of the dam which lay at the center of her people’s sins.

Who or what was the creator of the world in Frozen 2?

Frozen 2 teaches a cross between polytheism (multiple gods, i.e. lizard, horse, Elsa, etc.) and pantheism, the belief that there are multiple gods. pantheism, the belief that god is in nature and the two can’t be separated. In contrast the Bible teaches that God is separate from the earth and created all things from nothing by the power of his word (Gen. 1; John 1:3; Col 1:16-17).

In one of the songs, Into the Unknown, Elsa sings, “Are you out there? Do you know me? Can you feel me? Can you show me?” What does Elsa want this voice to do?

In these lyrics Elsa is desperate for this unknown force in the universe to reveal itself. As Christians we don’t need to ask God to reveal himself because God has revealed himself in his Word. God is so much better than a mysterious, impersonal “force.” He is a good and personal God who made us in his image (Gen. 1:27). We don’t have to desperately yell into the unknown because God has made himself known to us in his Word and through his Son (Ps. 19:7-11; John 14:7; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:1).

Was it wrong what Anna and Elsa’s ancestors did?

It was wrong what the king of Arendelle did to the people of the wood. It’s true that something had to be done to pay for the wrong of the king.

We sinned against God and that sin deserves death and condemnation (Rom. 6:23). Just like the dam had to be broken to forgive the sin committed, someone had to die for our sin (Heb. 9:22). Jesus was the one who saved us. In the story, Elsa stood in front of the wave as one of the “forces” of the world and saved her people. Jesus, truly is the creator of the world, the Son of God. Yet, he was plunged under the wave of judgment our sins deserved when he died on the cross. In his death, Christ truly saved his people.

After Elsa harms her sister she locks herself in her room out of fear of hurting someone. She lives by the mantra, “Conceal don’t feel; don’t let them know.”

Why do you think she did that?

She wants to hide her powers and try to conquer her lack of self-control by herself.

Did Elsa’s approach work?

No. Her attempt to bottle up her fears and powers leads to an eruption at the party.

After Elsa loses control at the party she decides to take another approach: let it go. She decides she is going to embrace her powers and not care anymore.

Does Elsa’s new approach work out well?

No. Ultimately she is still locked up by herself, just this time she is in an ice palace. She’s just as lonely and isolated. She also hurts many other people by letting her powers rage. The whole village is frozen over.

What should we do if we are ashamed or fearful about something?

In contrast to Elsa bottling up her fears we are told in Scripture that “if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We don’t have to keep our mistakes and sins to ourselves all bottled up. We can take it to God in prayer and know that he will forgive us and help us.

God also gives us other Christians to help us fight sin. James tells us to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16). Paul tells Christians in the Galatian church to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Our fellow Christians in church grow us in godliness and remind us of God’s love in the gospel (Prov. 27:17; Ecc. 4:9-10; Heb. 10:24-25).

What about Elsa’s other approach? Scripture tells us we should always obey God’s Word no matter what we feel. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” God is always good and his Word is always pure (Ps. 19:7-11) even when we aren’t. We must trust God and that he knows best.

Was it wise for Anna to so quickly trust Prince Hanz?

No. Anna is betrayed because she somewhat foolishly gives her heart to the prince so quickly. We should ask our family and other believers about big decisions, especially someone we are interested in marrying (Prov 14:21).

Anna thrusts herself in front of the sword to save Elsa’s life and this loving act awakens melts Elsa’s heart and allows her to love.

How does Jesus truly allow our hearts to love?

Christ took our place. He died for our sins. When we trust in him our sins are forgiven and his love for us melts our heart of stone and he replaces it with a heart of flesh (Ezk 36:26). As a result we desire to love and serve him by obeying him. Paul says it this way, “For the love of Christ controls us because we have concluded this, that one has died for all and therefore, all have died that whoever lives no longer lives for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:14).

God tells us to love one another as ourselves. Did Kevin and his siblings do that? What was the result?

Disobeying God’s commands creates pain in our lives. We should love others regardless of how they treat us, since God loved us when we were his enemies.

What did you think about how Kevin and his family used their words?

Eph 4:29 tells us to use our words to build up others. Our words are just one way we can love others. When we use our mouths to utter foul words that tear down it displeases God and leads to pain.

Were Kevin’s parents good parents? Why or why not?

They came after him and clearly loved him. But Scripture tells parents to not provoke their children or else they’ll become discouraged (Col. 3:21; Eph. 6:4). Ask your kids if you’ve acted wrongly in this area and how you can be better.

Would you have been scared to be separated from your parents?

In the movie Kevin acts excited to be on his own. However, it’s actually very scary. Even when we are scared we can go to God in prayer. The Bible tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and our minds. We know God is with us even when we are scared. What is truly scary is being separated from God, and that is what our sin deserves. Thankfully, God saved us by dying in our place for our sins. Now our greatest fear won’t come true if we trust in Christ.

Is it wrong for Kevin to want to hurt the bad guys for what they’ve done and what they’re planning to do?

No. God loves justice and he will punish every sin. For those who trust in Christ their sin was punished on the cross, but for those who don’t trust in Christ their sins will be repaid to them. That’s why we can entrust ourself to God knowing that he will judge perfectly (1 Pet. 2:23).

Did Kevin act rightly given his situation?

Not exactly. If you are ever scared you should tell your parents. If you can’t tell your parents you should call the police (9-1-1). If you can’t do that then you should run away and focus on staying safe, not making elaborate and funny traps. In reality, bad guys are smarter than the ones in the movie.

Also, though it makes for a more entertaining scenario in the movie, Kevin lied, which is wrong unless you are trying to protect yourself or others from danger. Scripture tells us to tell the truth so we should obey.

Moana is a fun story with great music written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The story centers heavily around polytheism (the belief that there are many different gods) and expressive individualism (our heart is the truest voice in our life).

Moana is very opposed to staying in her village and playing her part in the tribe. Should we always chase our heart’s desires and dreams?

It’s not always bad to chase a particular dream, but the Bible tells us that obeying God is the greatest joy and should be our highest priority (Matt. 22:37-39) even over having a certain job or freedom.

In the movie we are told that the world was originally all ocean and then the island emerged and gave life to all things. Later we are told that Maui, a demi-god, created many things in the world to make humans happy. What is the real creation story according to the Bible?

The Spirit hovered over the deep (Gen. 1:2) and then spoke all of creation into existence. God isn’t a part of the earth, he is separate from it, but made it. He made all things because he loves us.

Similar to the creation story told in the movie, something went wrong in our world in the beginning. What was it?

We sinned against God. That is the reason for everything wrong and painful in this world.

Did our sin turn God into a raging fire-monster? What was his response?

No. Amazingly he decided to save his people from their sin by dying for it himself. In the movie it is Moana who braves the fire-monster to save her people. In truth, Jesus braved the monster of death and sin on the cross. He was killed for our sin so we could be restored to a relationship with God. All who trust in Christ will go to be with him one day in a world more beautiful and perfect than any movie could portray, including Moana.