Rabbit Proof Fence

Main Point of Discussion: We must love everyone, including those who mistreat us.

The Video Clip: Stealing eggs.
Australia was a dangerous place to live, especially if you were an Aborigine in 1931. But that’s exactly what Molly was, an Aborigine girl who was relocated 1,500 miles from her family when the Aborigine Act was made law in the early part of the 20th Century.

Molly, her younger sister, and even younger cousin had no sooner arrived at their new “home” when they decided to escape and make the dangerous trip back to their family. They will have to follow the rabbit-proof fence that divides the continent in half if they hope to make it back home. Along the way, they are constantly chased by the skillful tracker named Moodoo, and combat the fierce elements Australia’s outback is known for. The film is a great story of strength and endurance. It’s rated PG-13.

Introducing the Clip:
In Australia in the 1930’s, there was a law known as the Aborigine Act. Basically, it permitted white people to relocate the black Aborigine tribesmen and women to “homes” where they would be given an education. It was nothing more than dressed up slavery, and Molly wouldn’t have any of it. When the 14 year old was re-located 1,500 miles from her family, she and her younger sister and even younger cousin escaped to begin the perilous journey back to their true home. The road was rough at times, and they often had to make tough decisions and take chances. In this scene, Molly decides to risk stealing some eggs from a farmhouse. Let’s take a look at what happens to her.

Scene script:

BEGIN CLIP AT 42 minutes and 30 seconds (in Chapter 9).

(Scene opens with Molly running into a hen house to steal eggs from a local farmhouse. She picks up a piece of stale bread from the ground meant for the chickens and eats it. While she is plundering underneath one of the hens, the voice of a woman startles her.)

Woman: And what do you think you might be up to? Thieving my eggs, heh? You come out here where I can see you. C’mon. Stand up. Out you come. And get rid of that bread. It’s filthy. You want something to eat? You ask for it. C’mon. I’m not gonna bite you. You’re on your own? Hmmm? Got anyone with you?

(Scene shifts to the back porch where the woman walks out holding some food. She serves her husband and then hands the girls a sack of food for their journey.)

Woman: Where you girls plannin’ on going? Cat got your tongue, heh? Now get. Go on. And watch out for those boys further along. They go out huntin’ rabbits along the fence.

Molly: That rabbit-proof fence?

Woman: Yes.

Molly: Where dat fence at?

Woman: East.

Transitional Statement:
When the woman caught Molly red-handed stealing eggs from her chicken coop, she had every right to scold her, punish her, even take her to the authorities that she was desperately running from. Instead of doing any of these things, she had compassion on Molly and helped her. This woman offered Molly radical love, even though Molly was trying to steal from her. I know it’s difficult, but we have to show others this same kind of love, even if they mistreat us.

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 begin, let’s all take a second to share our names and whether or not you would like to travel to Australia.
2. ASK SOMEONE: In the clip we just saw, Molly was caught stealing food from the farmhouse. How did the woman respond to Molly’s attempted theft?
3. ASK A FEW: What would you have done if you were the woman who caught a kid stealing from you? Be honest.
4. ASK A FEW: Why do you think the woman showed Molly that kind of love and compassion?
5. ASK A FEW: Have you ever been in Molly’s shoes? In other words, was there a time in your life when you did something wrong to someone else, and they responded in love and kindness towards you instead of bitterness and hatred?
6. ASK A FEW: It’s not always easy to love other people, especially when they mistreat us in some way. As Christians, do you think we are obligated to love all people all the time, no matter how they treat us?

Read the following passage:


Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)
38″You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43″You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


7. ASK A FEW: What does the phrase “eye for eye and tooth for tooth mean?
8. ASK SOMEONE: According to this passage, what is our response to our enemies supposed to be? (Leaders – love.)
9. ASK A FEW: Do you think most Christians genuinely love the people that mistreat them? Why or why not?
10. ASK A FEW: What are some of the reasons we don’t?
11. ASK A FEW: How about you? Are you usually quick to take an eye for an eye, or do you usually love people even when they hurt you?
12. ASK A FEW: What are some examples/situations that we face today where we as Christ followers can show love to others instead of seeking an eye for an eye? (Leader – have an example ready to get them started if need be.)
13. ASK A FEW: It was clear from the movie clip that Molly was glad the woman showed her love instead of wrath. How do most people today respond to being loved even when they have done something wrong?
14. ASK A FEW: What kind of reward do we get for only loving people who love us and treat us well? (Leaders – none.)
15. ASK A FEW: Jesus closes this teaching by saying, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” What does He mean by that?
16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How will you show love this week to someone who has recently mistreated you or taken advantage of you or wronged you in some way?

I know this is tough, but it’s worth it. If you want some extra prayer or instruction or encouragement, grab one of our leaders before you leave tonight.

Close in Prayer