Youth Group Question

[fbc]

Hello everyone. I apologize that I haven't been around for awhile, but I am reaching out because I  have a question about movies like "Courageous". One of our youth leaders wants to play this movie and I feel that as Christians,  we should avoid this type movie. There is a good  message about fathers being a strong role model and the leader of the family,  but there is some violent crime scenarios which include police chases, auto thefts with babies in the back seat etc, and I feel that as the elder of the church, we would be using our time at youth group reading and discussing from God's Precious Word. There is very little mentioned about the church and the Bible. Although the makers of this movie call themselves Baptist ( that use the NASB may I add), I still am feeling a pull from God not to be a part of it and maybe speak out about. If the parents of these youth chose to watch this movie at home with them, so be it, but I believe we could use the time more wisely by feeding on God's Word. What do you think? 

Edited March 28 by fbc
Misspelled word.

[Jerry]

As far as the ratings and content of this movie goes, it seems decent with no objectionable content. If you showed it at a youth event of some kind, make sure it is not the only or major focus. BUT if it is bothering your conscience and you have no peace after prayer about it, do NOT do it. We are to make sure our mind is filled with the Word of God and that effects our concience too - so we should never be doing things that cause us concern and goes against our conscience. The Bible warns about have a seared conscience, a weak one, a good one, a pure conscience, a defiled conscience. Our conscience is part of God's guidance system for our lives and we get in trouble if we disregard its warnings - regardless of what others say. That is basically the idea of Romans 14. If others think something is ok and your conscience troubles you about it, then heed it and don't do it. There are many other activities you can do instead.

[robmac68]

Jerry spoke mostly on conscience and what he said is not debatable and, imo, 100% correct and biblical so I will not comment on that since already stated.  The movie Courageous is decent and has a good message.  If you are trying to teach your youth that there are alternatives to worldly entertainment, this movie is a good one.  Better yet, imo, is Flywheel and Facing the Giants, both by the Kendrick brothers.  Better ones would be "Time Changer" and the "Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" but any movie out there most likely will not line up with your beliefs 100% just like every IFB church won't.

Anyway, let's talk "youth group".  Is this time during regular church hours or different times?  If it is during church, I believe you are correct in just wanting to spend time studying God's Word.  If it is different times and this time of meeting is for the youth to get together to fellowship and to study God's Word, I fear you would lose them if you turned "youth group" in to just another church service/Bible study.  Do you ever get together with your church friends?  Is it solely to study God's Word?  Have you ever had a "movie night" for the youth?  Here they can get together to watch a good movie, eat pizza and popcorn, and then afterwards tie the movie in to your biblical beliefs with a brief summation.  Stay clear of mostly negatives that don't line up with your beliefs and drive home the good points with a few Bible verses that back them up.  You can appeal to the flesh a bit without making everything a Bible study because you know we adults do the same thing.  Show the youth alternatives to the world's appeal to the flesh.

Side note...when I was 13 I attended my church's lock-in.  The youth director showed us a movie.  Care to guess???  No, you never will.  Rambo, First Blood.  Yea, it wasn't an IFB church.  It was American Baptist.  

[fbc]

Thanks Rob and Jerry! I guess I am too old fashioned in a sense,  but I did break down and watched it with the youth group. Our group is held on Friday night, so it didn't interfere with the services. It did have a good message. I guess I have to realize times have changed. Lord bless 

 

[Pastor Matt]

11 hours ago, fbc said:

Thanks Rob and Jerry! I guess I am too old fashioned in a sense,  but I did break down and watched it with the youth group. Our group is held on Friday night, so it didn't interfere with the services. It did have a good message. I guess I have to realize times have changed. Lord bless 

 

On a Friday night, we watched "Courageous" with our Youth. After the movie, we held a Bible Study session where we used Scripture to support the message conveyed in the film.

[BrotherTony]

10 minutes ago, Pastor Matt said:

On a Friday night, we watched "Courageous" with our Youth. After the movie, we held a Bible Study session where we used Scripture to support the message conveyed in the film.

I just watched this movie for the 200th time this past week! Great message and scriptural principles. I've recommended it to all of my nephews. Many have already started implementing these principles with their families!