Lone Survivor

(Universal Pictures)
Main Point: Never Out of the Fight
Our lives, like soldiers caught in war, are full of trials and attacks, but during our time on earth we are never out of the fight and must encourage each other, hold each other up and persevere until Christ returns or our mortal life on earth ends and we meet Christ in heaven.

The Movie Clip:
The movie, Lone Survivor, is the story of Marcus Luttrell, a Navy Seal, and his team who set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. After running into mountain herders and capturing them, they were left with no choice but to follow their rules of engagement or be imprisoned. Marcus and his team were left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.

In this scene, Marcus, the lone survivor, is rescued and rushed to a hospital for care. We hear his narration about his experience and camaraderie with his military brothers who didn’t survive and his outlook of non-stop perseverance.

Introducing the Clip:
I want to show you a clip from the movie, Lone Survivor, the story of Marcus Luttrell, a Navy Seal, and his team that were sent out on a mission to capture or kill a notorious Taliban leader in late June 2005. After running into mountain herders and capturing them, they were left with no choice but to follow their rules of engagement or be imprisoned. Marcus and his team were left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.

In this clip Marcus is the only survivor left and we are shown his rescue and get to hear his thoughts on all that has happened and his incredible attitude on never giving up.

The Video Clip:
The clip for this resource can be found online (for a fee) on WingClips.com at the following link: http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/lone-survivor/never-out-of-the-fight

Transitional Statement:
Based on the clip we just watched you could see that Marcus Luttrell survived some pretty tough trials and deeply mourns his fallen, brave military brothers. He has lost much but through it all he has endured and continues to have an attitude that “the fight never ends” – he will keep persevering always.

In our lives, we have to keep the same attitude of perseverance and toughness. This world is gonna throw us everything it’s got and try to bring us down. Jesus told us to remember that if they persecuted him, they would persecute us also. (John 15:20) But if we persevere in our faith until the end, Christ will give us eternal life. Until that day comes, “we are never out of the fight.”

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 the name of someone close we know who is either currently serving in the armed forces or has served in the past? Also share how you know them or who they are to you.


2. ASK A FEW: Do you think being in the armed services requires courage or perseverance? Why?


3. ASK A FEW: If you were in the military, what job would you want to do? Or another question I could as is, what job do you think would be the coolest or most exciting?


4. ASK A FEW: From the movie “Lone Survivor” Marcus Luttrell was a Navy SEAL. The U.S. Special Forces are some of the toughest and strongest soldiers around. The SEAL’s official motto is, “Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit” and it’s even stated in their creed “I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity.” Why do you think it’s even more important/essential for a SEAL member to have this attitude of “never quitting”?

Read the following passage:

Hebrews 10:32-39

32Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.
33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.
34You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.?36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” 38And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” 39But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.



5. ASK A FEW: According to verse 36, why do you need to persevere?


6. ASK A FEW: Looking at verses 36 and 39, what has been promised? (Leaders, the answer you may be looking for: verse 39 says, those who have faith are saved. And Jesus Christ promises us that all who have faith in Him will never die but have eternal life — John 3:16; John 1:12)


7. ASK A FEW: This passage talks about believers enduring persecution and trials of many kinds. What kinds of trials have you noticed other Christians experience in the world today?


8. ASK A FEW: What about closer to home… what kinds of trials and persecution have you personally experienced now or in the past?


9. ASK A FEW: Why do you think Christians experience so much persecution?


10. ASK A FEW: The passage says that even though there were trials, the believers initially endured. They are also encouraged to continue to withstand and not shrink back but persevere until the end. How do we do that (or why can we do that) according to this passage? (Leaders, the answers you may be looking for: verse 33 “they stood side by side” and verse 34 “suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted… because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions” – they bore each others burdens and stuck together. Also, they had a right perspective. They knew they had better and lasting possessions (heavenly treasures that no one can take away) Also, the author of Hebrews here is telling the persecuted believers to remember their past experience and how they stood strong and be encouraged to keep standing strong in the future.)


11. AROUND THE CIRCLE: From all we’ve leaned tonight about perseverance and how to keep hanging in there when things are tough, what are some things you personally can do this week to help you keep fighting strong until the end and never give up?

Wrap Up:
Marcus Luttrell the Navy SEAL and his incredible story of perseverance is pretty inspirational. We as Christians are compared to soldiers in the Bible in multiple places (examples: Eph. 6:11-17 the armor of God; 2Tim. 2:3,4) and by the persecutions and trials we face or will face it makes a lot of sense why.

A soldier is taught to stand strong and to persevere because they must if they are to survive; that same attitude it essential for us too. There is much to focus on it keeping up that fight: standing together and upholding each other; remembering past experiences and successes; and keeping our eyes on God’s promises and eternal things. If we believe in Christ and have trust in Him alone we can know that our salvation is sure and we can have great confidence in this. He is beyond trustworthy. But during our time here until we are with Him, we must be a good soldier and persevere. Because our Commander has ordered it and the reward is great. Until that time when we are brought home, we must keep strong, because until that time… “you’re never out of the fight.”

Close in Prayer