Halo 3

Main Point of Discussion: The Bible teaches that Christians are in a spiritual battle with Satan and his forces, therefore we must engage in the fight with our spiritual weapons.

The Video: Halo 3 promo video ‘Museum’

Halo 3 is the final video game installment in the Halo series. The game is basically about saving the planet from an invading alien force, and it is one of the best selling video games of all time. Current estimates indicate Halo 3 will rake in one BILLION in sales by the end of 2008.

At THE SOURCE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY we like to use pop culture references to start Biblical conversation (just like the Apostle Paul used culture to start conversations about Jesus in Acts 17). This promo video might be a good discussion starter in some circles. Use your discernment. If you want, you can use a different clip from the ‘Museum’ series.

Introducing the Museum Promo Video:
Unless you’re a teen icon in rehab, or you really have been away from the planet for a while, you may have noticed the Halo 3 mania that has invaded our planet like the Flood. 7-11, Burger King, Mountain Dew… heck NASCAR has an ad on No. 40 racing car. The world has Halo 3 fever…and the only cure is console time!

Master Chief John 117 is back- bruised and battered, but ready to give humanity hope that the Covenant can be defeated and survival is possible. (Side note- John 1:17 in the Bible is a reference to Jesus Christ…coincidence? I think not!)

Transitional Statement:
Talk to the group about their experiences and thoughts about the Halo series and what’s behind its widespread popularity.

Then say something like:
Halo 3 had several promo videos that give away the theme, and one in particular really ties in to a spiritual truth. Let’s watch it and see if you can catch it.

Ask your church’s tech guy to help you show the promo video found at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq2akuhFaB0

Or this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFzOgI4y0zQ

After watching the video as a group…

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups to discuss this video, 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: Before we begin, let’s go around the circle and talk about your favorite video games and why you like them. I’ll start…


2. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What’s the main appeal with video games in general?


3. ASK A FEW: Does this promo make you want to play Halo 3? Why or why not?


4. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Do you believe in alien life? Why or why not?


5. AROUND THE CIRCLE: If there was an invading alien force, would you fight? Why or why not?

Say something like:
Of course, Halo 3 is just a game. We don’t really have an invading alien force on our planet with the goal of eliminating human vermin, right? Well, maybe not in a physical sense. But trust me, there’s a Halo 3 battle going on in the spiritual world that is just as real as the 4 hour checkout line at Wal Mart when you bought the game. But don’t take my word for it- take God’s Word for it:

Read the following passages from the Bible:


Luke 10:18
Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”

John 10:10
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy


Say something like:
Jesus is referring to a time in the past when Satan was kicked out of heaven like a bolt of lightning, and while Bible teachers differ on why he was dishonorably discharged, we all can agree that Satan has declared war on humanity.
6. ASK SOMEONE: Why do you think Satan ‘fell’ from heaven?


7. ASK A FEW: Why did he declare war on us?


8. ASK SOMEONE: How is his war like an alien invasion force?


9. ASK A FEW: How does he ‘steal, kill, and destroy’?


10. ASK A FEW: Do you think he attacks Christians more often? Why or why not?

Say something like:
Make no mistake, the dark forces of the spiritual world have marked you for destruction- but the good news is this: we don’t have to stand by and take it.

Read the following passages from the Bible:


2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 (NLT)
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword.

I Thessalonians 5:17
pray continually


Say something like:
The word of God and prayer are the ‘mighty weapons’ that Paul is talking about in the first passage we read. We are supposed to use them not only for our own spiritual growth and walk with Christ, but also to fight the good fight against Satan.
11. ASK SOMEONE: What does it mean to ‘knock down strongholds of human reasoning’?


12. ASK SOMEONE: What does ‘destroying false arguments’ look like?


13. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How can God’s word and prayer be spiritual weapons that accomplish these things?
    
14. ASK A FEW: Why does Satan want to ‘keep people from knowing God’?


15. ASK SOMEONE: Does our involvement in this war sound like an option? Why or why not?


16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: are we using these weapons against people or just the way they think?


17. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How can we balance fighting against false worldviews and still be loving and compassionate?

Wrap Up:
As I mentioned earlier, Halo 3’s main character has what seems to be a reference to Christ- who is the Savior of the world. In the game, you get behind Master Chief and fight against the enemy. In real life, we are called to get behind Jesus Christ and fight against what the enemy is trying to accomplish through false reasoning and destructive worldviews. I want to give you a chance to ‘enlist’ in this cause tonight so we can start making a difference from tomorrow on.

If you don’t know how to do this… then I challenge you to follow the advice of the Apostle Paul in that last verse we read. “Pray continually.” Think to yourself for a second. How much time have you spent in the last week just sitting down and praying to God, asking him to help you as you face false reasoning and destructive worldviews? How many times have you prayed, “Search me, Oh God, and know my heart. See if there be any sinful way in me.”

Give the group a chance to reflect and pray in silence for a few minutes, making a commitment to Christ to take up the weapons of God’s word and prayer and fight against the plans of Satan in their lives, their schools, and their families.

By Lane Palmer