Faith and Disney: The Lion King

Last week, I posted a devotion I found that mentioned Disneyland.  I made the comment that I loved when two of my worlds (God and Disney) come together!  Through some of the comments I received, I decided to tie my two worlds together more!  I'm going to start posting some of my thoughts and youth lessons on Sundays that bring God, Faith and Disney together.  I hope you enjoy- and if you don't just skip over this part! ;)


Each Wednesday night this fall, I'm doing a "Disney Bible Study" with my Jr High youth.  Each week, we watch a clip from a Disney movie and have a lesson based on the clip and the moral or lesson it teaches.  The first week, we watched part of The Lion King.  I'll encourage you to watch this clip and think of the answers you would provide to some of the questions.

• What is your least favorite rule your parents have, or had when you were a youth?  Why?
• What is your least favorite "rule" in the Bible?  Why?
• Are there good reasons for rules?

Watch The Lion King starting at 29:10 "This is it.  We made it." and end at 35:33 "Cause nobody messes with your dad.  Come here, you!"  This is the part where Simba and Nala sneak off to the Elephant Graveyard and Mufasa has to rescue them from the hyenas.

• Simba and Nala deliberately disobeyed their parents and found themselves in danger.  Have you ever been in a dangerous situation because you’ve disobeyed your parents?  Have your parents ever had to rescue you?  Share experiences
  
• Do you think the rules your parents have for you are fair?  Do you think rules need to change?  Why?  When?  What are some things you can do to see if your family’s rules are fair and appropriate?
  
• Read Ephesians 6:1-3
  ¹Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. ²"Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, ³"so you will live well and have a long life."
  
• What does honoring your parents mean to you?
  
• How does being obedient show that you love your parents and you love God?
  
• Mufasa confessed his fear to Simba.  Have your parents ever told you their fears?   If yes, how did knowing their fears change you?
  
• Have you ever felt indestructible?  What made you feel that way?  Were you with your friends or by yourself?
  
• Has anyone ever talked you into doing something you regretted later on?  Were you with your friends or by yourself?
  
• Do friends make a difference in how you feel about yourself and what you say and do?  How?
  
• It’s easy to be obedient when your parents are watching.  Do you obey their rules when there’s no chance of them ever knowing whether you are obeying?
  
• Read 1 John 2:3-6
   ³Here's how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments.
      ⁴If someone claims, "I know him well!" but doesn't keep his commandments, he's obviously a liar. His life doesn't match his words. ⁵But the one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love. This is the only way to be sure we're in God. ⁶Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.
  
• How does following God’s laws actually make us more free?
  
• Why does God require our obedience?
  
• What change might you see in your life this week if you really followed God’s laws?

Blessings to you all!

~Beth