Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade

(LucasFilm, 1989)
Main Point of Discussion: The Bible should always be our guide in life, especially when life is difficult.

The Movie Clip:
Indiana Jones was one of the heroes of Gen X. Instead of eyes that shot laser beams, Indy had a whip. Instead of a cape that let him fly, he sported a hat that always helped him with the ladies. Played by Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones’ character went from continent to continent in search of archaeological finds, and always wound up saving the world somehow.

In The Last Crusade, Indy joins forces with his father (Sean Connery) in search of the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus supposedly drank from on the night of his betrayal and arrest. Of course, the Nazi’s are also looking for it, hoping to gain world dominion through its power, and Indy’s faith is put to the test in the end.

Great flick! It’s rated PG-13 for the action scenes and a few innuendos between Indiana and Elsa.

Introducing the Movie Clip:
I want to show you a scene from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” You’ve probably all watched this movie before, as his saga is one of the most popular to come out of Hollywood. The movie is about the adventure of Indiana Jones teaming up with his father (Sean Connery) to find the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus supposedly drank from during His last night on Earth. In this clip, Indy must use his father’s archaeological book to unravel the mystery that leads to the Holy Grail. Indy quickly learns that the book is his key to the Holy Grail… and staying alive. Let’s watch!

Scene script:

BEGIN CLIP AT 1 hour 41 minutes and 28 seconds (in Chapter 33).

(The scene opens with Indiana, Mr. Jones, Marcus, and Sallah hiding from the bad guys when they are discovered and brought out to Walter and Elsa at gun point.)

Elsa: I never expected to see you again.

Indiana: I’m like a bad penny. I always turn up.

Walter: Step back now, Dr. Schneider. Give Dr. Jones some room. He’s going to recover the grail for us. (Indiana laughs at his proposition.) Impossible? What do you say Jones? Ready to go down in history?

Indiana: As what? A Nazi stooge like you?

Walter: The Nazi’s? Is that the limit of your vision? The Nazi’s want to write themselves into the Grail legend and take on the world. Well, they’re welcome. But I want the Grail itself. The cup that gives everlasting life. Hitler can have the world, but he can’t take it with him. I’m going to be drinking to my own health when he’s gone the way of the dodo. (He then steps back and pulls a gun on Indiana and Mr. Jones.) The Grail is mine, and you’re going to get it for me.

Indiana: Shooting me won’t get you anywhere.

Walter: You know something, Dr. Jones? You’re absolutely right. (He then shoots Indiana’s dad.)

Indiana: Dad! Dad!

Mr. Jones: Junior…

Elsa: No!

Walter: Get back!

(Indiana and Sallah and Marcus help Mr. Jones to the ground. Indiana begins to treat his dad’s wounds, but then jumps up in frustration and steps toward Walter.)

Walter: You can’t save him when you’re dead! The healing power of the Grail is the only thing that can save your father now. It’s time to ask yourself what you believe.

(Indiana takes his dad’s book with him as he approaches the place where the two men were just decapitated. He breaks it open and begins to read it.)

Indiana: The Breath of God; only the penitent man will pass. The penitent man will pass. (He repeats this over and over again.) The penitent man is humble before God. Penitent man is humble… kneels before God. Kneel!

(Suddenly two blades come flying at Indiana, but he kneels out of the way.)

Indiana: I’m through!

Walter: We’re through.

Indiana: The second challenge: The Word of God. Only in the footsteps of God will he proceed. The Word of God. The Word…. Proceed in the footsteps of the Word. The name of God…. Jehovah.

(Indiana looks at a floor that is marked with certain letters. He believes he must step on each of the letters in the order of God’s name, but he misspells God’s name in Latin and almost falls to his death.)

Indiana: Idiot! In Latin, Jehovah starts with an “I.”

(He properly spells out Jehovah in Latin and passes the second challenge. He then makes his way to a cavernous ravine between him and the far edge.)

Indiana: The Path of God. Only in the leap from the lion’s head will he prove his worth. Impossible… nobody can jump this. It’s a leap of faith. Oh geez….

(Indiana raises one foot and cautiously steps out into thin air… only to find that a bridge is under his feet all along. He passes to the other side.)

END CLIP AT 1 HOUR 49 MINUTES AND 0 SECONDS.

Transitional Statement:
During those nerve-rattling moments, Indiana Jones was completely dependent on the book his father gave him. When it came down to it, if Indy didn’t study it and obey it, not only would he not find the Holy Grail, he would have died, too! Like Indy, you and I have a book that guides our lives. The Bible contains all the information necessary for us to live our lives like God wants, even when life is difficult. If we want to live life to the fullest, we will have to live life the way the Bible says to.

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 CIRLCE: As we begin, let’s all take a second to share our names and our favorite action hero.
2. ASK A FEW: Of the three challenges that Indy faced, which one did you consider the toughest?
3. ASK A FEW: How much help did the book give him during this adventure?
4. ASK A FEW: Do you think he could have completed the task without the book? Why or why not?
5. ASK A FEW: Did the book supply Indiana with everything he needed to know?
6. ASK A FEW: In what ways is the Bible like the book Indiana carried with him?
7. ASK A FEW: Do you think the Bible supplies us with everything we need to know?

Read the following passage:


Psalm 119:89-112 (NLT)

Say This: “As we turn in our Bibles to Psalm 119, I just want you to know that this is the longest chapter in the entire Bible. Relax. We aren’t going to read it all; that would take a long time. This psalm talks about one thing and one thing only: the Word of God. Sometimes the writer calls it “God’s law,” and sometimes “commandments” or “words.” I just wanted you to know that the longest section of the Bible talks about… well… the Bible. This is important stuff.”


89 Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.
91 Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.
92 If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.
93 I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.
94 I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
95 Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.
96 Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
97 Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.
99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.
100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.
107 I have suffered much, O LORD; restore my life again as you promised.
108 LORD, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.
109 My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
110 The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.
111 Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.
112 I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.


8. ASK A FEW: What are some ways the psalmist describes God’s Word in this section of Psalm 119?
9. ASK A FEW: What are some of the things the writer says he does with God’s Word? Or, how does the psalmist use God’s Word?
10. ASK A FEW: When the psalmist relies on God’s Word, how does he say he’s benefited?
11. ASK A FEW: This section of the psalm describes some fairly desperate times. In it he talks about experiencing misery, enduring the wicked people in his life who have tried to kill him and set traps for him, suffering, etc. Did the psalmist rely on God’s Word during these times or not? How do you know?
12. ASK A FEW: Is it easier to follow God’s Word when life is easy or hard? Why?
13. ASK A FEW: What are some ways we can use God’s Word when times get difficult?
14. ASK A FEW: Does anyone have a short story they can share about facing a desperate moment and being helped by God’s Word? (Leaders – Be ready to start this conversation out. Give them a chance first, but if it stays quiet, tell a quick story from your own life to help them get started.)
15. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How can we use God’s Word in what each of us are facing right now?

Wrap Up:
Tonight we got a chance to look at one of the heroes of our culture: Indiana Jones. He did what he does best, namely solving centuries-old mysteries, finding archaeological relics, and of course, saving planet Earth from the Nazi’s!

The scene we watched showed Indy using his father’s book to help him solve the mystery, recover the Holy Grail, and more importantly, save his life and his father’s. Without the book, Indy would probably have suffered the same fate as all the other explorers who had gone before. But thanks to the book and Indy’s use of it, everything ended well.

Like Indy, we have a book that helps us. We read from it tonight. Actually, the portion we read from talked about itself. It was like reading a passage from the Bible about the Bible. The Bible is God’s words to us about life and how to live it. It contains everything we need to know about the most important parts of life. Granted, it doesn’t say what happened to the dinosaurs, but it tells us how to find God in the midst of a hurting and trying world so we may have peace. Beyond that, the Bible gives aid to us in the midst of extremely trying situations. When the going gets really tough, it’s best to turn to the Bible for help.

Because we believe in studying the Bible so much, we are going to recommend a reading plan to you. It’s pretty simple and everyone can do it. All you need is a Bible of your choice and about 13 minutes each day. Here’s what you do. Read two chapters from the Gospel of Luke every day until you finish it. Yep, you can actually read two whole chapters of the Bible in 13 minutes each day. In less than two weeks’ time, you will finish the entire book! Then you can pick another book of the Bible to start in.

Now, when life becomes tricky and difficult, you will have some of God’s Word to rely on to help. Just like the Bible says, “It is a lamp for our feet, or our path.”

Also, if you are looking for some Bible study “to go,” check out ALilBit.com online. It’s a whole website dedicated to 10 minute long Bible studies that you can download onto your iPods for free! That’s right, free! Check them out at ALilBit.com because they really want to give you a little bit of Scripture each day.

Close in Prayer