Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King (Sin)

Raterd PG-13, 2003, New Line Cinema

Main Point: We must have accountability and must continue to get rid of the evil in our lives.

Attention Grabber: Movie – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Return of the King is the third film of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The film continues its legacy with a classic storyline, powerful performances and fantastic action sequences. The MPAA rated it PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images. ALSO, CLICK HERE FOR JONATHAN'S REVIEW OF THE FILM

Should our kids see it?
There will be one major issue: the film contains plenty of violence. The film is about a war, and you’ll see plenty of bloody battles. No sex, no foul language, no crude humor, no teenagers with attitudes to imitate… just a bunch of bloody battles. I know with my own kids, the only objection I had was if the film would scare them. I didn’t want my youngest sleeping in my bed for the next three weeks! But most jr. high and high school students should be fine. Check out www.screenit.com for a more detailed review of content and review the film personally to make your own decision.

If you decide to watch it, consider this great discussion starter about accountability…

Clip: “Throw it in, Frodo!”
The clip you'll be using takes place at the end of the movie. Frodo and Sam have now made it to the edge of Mt. Doom, and Frodo has the opportunity to throw the Ring into the fires below. Sam urges Frodo to destroy the Ring, but Frodo hesitates. The scene ends with Frodo putting the Ring on, making him invisible. Now knowing the location of the Ring, the Nazguls stop in midair and begin flying back toward Frodo.
Depending on the DVD version you have, the chapter and time will vary. We find tht most people have the big 'ol extended version edition. On this extended version DVD, the clip starts in chapter 53 159:24, and ends at 161:38, when the scene cuts to Gandolf.

Scene Introduction:
Today we're going to look at a movie clip from the third Lord of the Rings movie, The Return of the King. This is one of the final scenes in the movie. If you don't know what's going on, the whole series is about a Hobbit named Frodo, who has been given the very dangerous and long journey of having to take a very powerful Ring to Mt. Doom in order to destroy it. Some of his friends have died along the way, and the adventure has been a test in every way for him. The film ends with a great scene where Frodo stands at the edge of Mt. Doom, having second thoughts about getting rid of the “precious” ring. Finally having the opportunity to get rid of something that has been a curse from the beginning, let's see what happens to Frodo and his friend Sam.

Scene Script:
Sam: (Calling out to Frodo) Frodo.

Frodo: I’m here Sam. (Frodo stands by the edge of Mt. Doom above the fiery pit below.)

Sam: Destroy it!

(Frodo pulls out the ring and looks at it, hesitating to throw it in the fire.)

Sam: Go on now, throw it in the fire.

(Frodo can’t seem to bring himself to get rid of it.)

Sam: What are you waiting for, just let it go!

Frodo: (deciding not to throw it in, he turns to Sam) The ring is mine! (He puts it on.)

Sam: (yelling) NO!

(As soon as Frodo puts the ring on, the secret is out. The enemy now knows the location of the ring. The Nazguls stop in midair and turn around toward Frodo.)

Transition Statement:
Sometimes we allow things to creep into our lives that don’t belong there—-temptations, habits or desires we knew to be dangerous, something that maybe we even swore we would never let affect us. But before we know it, we are enticed by it. We want it, just like Frodo wants the Ring. His “accountability buddy” Sam urges him to destroy it. But Frodo doesn’t want to get rid of it; he has grown to like it too much, and now he wants to keep it, much like habits or temptations that we tell ourselves we can handle or get rid of, but we’re too weak to battle by ourselves. Let's break into our discussion groups and discuss where we go from here, when we're not sure what to do with the habits and temptations that are so hard to throw into the fire.

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: Before we get started, let's go around the circle. Share your name and if you were to rescue someone from some danger, what would be the coolest danger to rescue them from?
Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls. [12] Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world.

2. ASK A FEW: The passage said “Stay away from evil desires!” What do you think he meant by “evil desires” . . . or what do you think some of those “evil desires” are?

Peter lists some of these later in the book of 1 Peter:


1 Peter 4:3 (NLT) You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.


3. ASK A FEW: Where are each of these things found today?
4. ASK A FEW: How do we allow some of these things to creep up on us?
5. ASK A FEW: How can we “watch out” for these things?
6. ASK A FEW: Frodo had Sam there to “watch his back.” How could we have someone watch our back when it comes to evil desires?
7. ASK A FEW: Peter says to “be careful how we live” around unbelievers. In which ways do Christians need to “be careful?” (Having someone “watch our back” might be a good way.)
8. AROUND THE CIRCLE: In which ways do you personally need to “be careful?” What temptations do you find yourself struggling with?
   (SMALL GROUP LEADER: This might be a great time for you to disclose something that you struggle with, in order to create more vulnerability in your students.)
9. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What is one thing you will do this week to “be careful” and to take one step closer to getting rid of the habits or temptations that are so difficult to throw into the fire? (Identify what it is, get rid of the temptation, tell someone who can help us.)

Wrap-up:
For Frodo, the job was simple. All he had to do was throw the Ring into the fire. But for some reason, he was enticed by the Ring's beauty and when it was time to give it up, he found that it wasn't so easy. We have these same types of things in our lives. And if we don't find someone to be our “Sam,” the person who will hold us accountable and remind us when we're holding onto something, and if we aren't willing to turn and get rid of the bad habits and temptations that are in our lives, we may find ourselves holding onto those things that are ready to destroy. Right now let's split up into partners and pray for each other. If you feel comfortable, I'd encourage you to share what it is you said you're going to do this week. And pray that you'll have the strength to “be careful” in times of temptation.