Courageous

Main Point: We have to take responsibility for our actions, even our sinful actions.

The Movie Clip: You are guilty
Courageous is the fourth and latest offering from Sherwood Pictures, the movie company based out of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. In their latest installment, the action-packed plot centers on four law officers who share two callings: to protect and serve, and to be courageous fathers.

But when tragedy strikes close to home, these four fathers’ hopes are tested, and they each wrestle with fear mixed with a little hope and faith. From their struggle comes the decision to take their responsibility as fathers more seriously; it will be a decision that deeply impacts them and their families.

Introducing the Clip:
Courageous is a movie about four cops who are also dads. Throughout the movie, what they learn is that it takes as much courage to be a father as it does to be an officer of the law. So, they challenge one another to be better fathers. It’s this life-changing challenge that prompts a life-changing conversation between two of the officers, David and Nathan. Take a close look at what David confides into his older partner Nathan, and then listen closely to what Nathan has to say to him.

Show the Clip:
(This clip is available from WingClips.com)

Transitional Statement:
In this clip, David drops a bomb on Nathan and tells him that he has a small child that he’s never told anyone about. He’s worried that his lack of presence as a father will cause his daughter hardship down the line. His partner Nathan basically tells him that he has to take responsibility for his actions and do the right thing for the mother and the child. But then, Nathan goes on to tell David that he also has to take responsibility for his sinful actions against God. Let’s spend the next few minutes by taking a look at how we must take responsibility for our actions.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and a time we had to take responsibility for our actions.


2. ASK A FEW: In the clip, Nathan said, “Part of being a man is about taking responsibility.” Do you agree with Nathan’s statement? Why or why not?


3. ASK A FEW: Based on this clip, what would “taking responsibility for his actions” mean David should do with/for his daughter and the mother?


4. ASK A FEW: In the clip, David confesses, “I’m just tired of feeling guilty.” Then Nathan says, “Let me break it to you this way: you are guilty!” Why would Nathan say this to David? (Leaders – Nathan was wanting to show David that he was guilty before God. That’s why he went on to say what he said.)


5. AROUND THE CIRCLE: When David says he hoped his good outweighed his bad, Nathan matter-of-factly says, “That’s not how it works, and you know that.” Yes or no, do YOU know that? (Leaders – Be prepared to explain that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not built on “being good,” but “being righteous.” The only way we are made righteous is through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.)


6. ASK A FEW: In this clip, Nathan moves the conversation from “taking responsibility for his sinful actions” with regard to the mother of his child to “taking responsibility for his sinful actions” with regard to God. Why is this such a big deal?

Read the following passage:


Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.'” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”


7. ASK A FEW: What was Zacchaeus’ job, and why is that significant to the story? (Leaders – Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Back in this day, Jewish tax collectors like Zacchaeus collected money from their kinsmen and then gave it to the Roman officials who were in charge. However, the tax collectors almost always overcharged their fellow countrymen and kept the extra for themselves. Making matters worse was the fact that Zacchaeus was the CHIEF tax collector. This meant he collected a fraction of the other tax collector’s theft, as well. In short, Zacchaeus was a thief of the worst kind.)


8. ASK A FEW: What was Jesus’ attitude toward Zacchaeus and what was the townspeople’s attitude toward Zacchaeus?


9. ASK A FEW: According to verse 8, how did Zacchaeus take responsibility for his sinful actions?


10. ASK A FEW: Throughout the Bible, including this passage, God seems to make a big deal about our relationships on Earth affecting our relationship with Him. For example, if we cheat others, it offends God. Why is that?


11. ASK A FEW: How would our church or youth ministry be different if people took responsibility for their actions like Zacchaeus did?


12. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What are some recent actions you need to take responsibility for?


13. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Very specifically, what will that look like?


14. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What can we do to help you in this process?

Like I said, it isn’t easy to take responsibility, but it’s the best thing to do. I’d encourage you to seriously consider doing that immediately, if necessary. But you don’t have to do it alone. If you need help with something in your life, talk with one of our leaders before you leave. You’ll be glad you did.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith