Movie Clip Discussions, Season 10

Season 10, Episode 9, Squeeze

season-10-episode-9-squeeze

By Thom McKee

A little over a year ago I went to Israel for the first time. If you haven’t been, I can’t urge you enough to go to the land where Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Jesus and the Apostle Paul lived. Just being in the place where the apostles, prophets and our Lord lived, served and preached will change your life. There is just something awesome about visiting a place that connects you to its history.

One of my favorite memories of that trip was the half mile journey through Hezekiah’s tunnel.  Sometimes called the Siloam tunnel because it dumps fresh water into the pool of Siloam, it is a tiny tunnel built in the eastern side of Jerusalem in the late 8th century BCE. It was built in order to prepare Israel for an occupation from the Assyrians and to protect their water if the city were to be surrounded.

When you walk through the tunnel, you have to wear water shoes because the entire trip, approximately the length of 5 football fields, you will be walking in at least ankle high water. You also must be in decent shape, because if you get tired, there is no turning back.  The cave is about the width of your shoulders (I saw some people not allowed to go in because they were just too big) and even if you have never felt claustrophobic before, you probably will when you make this trip.

But what really got me during this awesome hike was how this tunnel was built.  The story goes that Israelites carved this tunnel from both directions and met in the middle.  People debate whether that is true, but someone did dig this very long tunnel and it must have been a very stressful venture. There is also some evidence that some fighting did occur in this tunnel and I can’t image how horrible this would have been.

During tonight’s episode of the Walking Dead, I couldn’t help but think of my experience in Hezekiah’s tunnel.  As our heroes (even 6 foot 2 Jerry) tried to squeeze through narrow caves, all while fighting Whisperers and Walkers around each corner, I didn’t blame Carol for breaking down.  I know that we aren’t used to seeing Carol like this, but while stuck in those narrow caves, her fear got the best of her.  This is just another example of a situation that our people get into that would test the leadership and resolve of any team.

When you think about it, almost every week we see the leadership tested for every group on the Walking Dead.  You could almost argue that this is what the show is actually about – How extreme stress affects the relationships and leadership structures of any given group.

You also realize that the Whisperers probably built those tunnels (why else would there by dynamite) and that they probably lost a few of their people under these very stressful conditions.

Alpha is in charge of this group and finally we are starting to see that her style of leadership is starting to strain her group.  Like Negan, she uses fear to control people, but there is clearly a downside to that type of leadership – trust.  When you lead that way, it is harder to know who to trust.

This week Negan, who is hanging out with the Whisperers after his escape, points this out to Alpha.

Negan: Believe it or not, I have been where you are right now. And if you don’t want to end up where I am right now, I suggest you zig where I zagged.

Alpha: You and I very different.

Negan: I had people. I had a system. I thought they believed in it, just like you. See, the thing is, you stay king or queen long enough, with people telling you all day, every day that your sh*t don’t stink, eventually, you start to believe it. The thing is it still stinks.

Negan is pointing out that the downside to leading with fear, is that you don’t know who you can trust, and who you can’t. Alpha is probably aware that when people are disillusioned about the Whisperers, they probably won’t tell her.  They will just continue to flatter her.  And if your only goal is to stay in charge, you need to ignore the flattery.

But this is hard to do as a human being, because most of us not only like flattery, we tend to really care what people think about us.  So, when people flatter us, we want to believe them.  But if you are Alpha, you must not care what people think and live with the loneliness that is inevitable in these situations.

This is one of the biggest challenges for any leader, even leaders in ministry.  The truth is that even Christians can manipulate and often they use flattery to do so.

Apostle Paul dealt with this constantly in his letters to churches in the earliest history of Christianity.  Almost every letter that he writes to a church in the ancient world deals with this, and based on my own experience, it still happens in the church today.

An excellent example of this is found in the book of Galatians where Paul is addressing a church that is falling prey to false teaching.

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:6-10 (NIV)

While Paul has some pretty harsh words about people who do this, he simply points out that God will take care of them (vs 8 and 9). But notice how Paul explains the perspective you need to have in order to do this.  He asks in verse 10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?”  Paul is clearly pointing out that this is why people are pushing false teachings.  They are trying to win approval from people not God.  And people do not always approve of Godly things, when their power or comfort are on the line.

The simple fact is that if you care about approval from God and not people, flattery will not work.  It will be much easier to have an honest view on your choices and your leadership decisions.  But most importantly, you don’t have to worry about trust when it comes to God.  If there is one thing that strong believers in the bible have in common, it is that you must care more about what God thinks than what people think.  

This means that the scriptures must be our guide to our leadership decisions, not the opinions of influential people. And you don’t have to look far in the history of the people of God to see examples of God’s people caring more about what the culture teaches than what the bible does.  Starting with a golden calf all the way to the Christians who sided with the Nazis during the holocaust, there are plenty of examples of people simply going the way that the wind blows instead of doing it God’s way. And I would be lying if I were to say that the church isn’t dealing with these types of decisions today.  The fact is that we can’t always trust what people in the world say, but we can’t always trust in the word of God.

SEASON 10, EPISODE 9 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1) Carol seems to be more frightened than usual in this episode.  Do you think that it is just the claustrophobia or do you think that the stress is finally getting to her?  Why or why not?

2) Negan is telling Alpha not to trust all the voices of the people around her, but do you think that she also needs to do the same with Negan’s words?  Why or why not?

3) Who do you think is doing more manipulating, Negan or Alpha?  Both or neither?  Why or why not?

4) Do you think that Negan is on Alpha’s side?  Why or why not?

5) Paul says essentially that you can’t be a servant of Christ if you are trying to please people (vs 10).  Why do you think he says this?

6) What do you think it is about “serving people” (instead of God) that makes it so hard to serve God at the same time?

7) What things can we do to make sure that God’s voice is louder in our lives than those of the people around us?

8) If this is true, how can we know that we can trust the people around us? Is there a way to check that their words are aligned with God?

9) What role do you think the scriptures have in finding truth in a world full of lies?

10) Is there an area in your personal life where you should listen to God more than those around you?  If so, what do you need to do about it?

Thom McKee Jr. is a husband, father, pastor… and film geek (and brother of Jonathan McKee). Thom lives in Northern California with his wife and two kids.

106 Comments
Share
Tags: , ,

Jonathan McKee

Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.

106 Comments

  1. 🛎 Message- You got a transfer #WN21. GET >>> https://graph.org/GET-BITCOIN-02-25?hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf& 🛎
    March 12, 2025 at 6:20 am

    wkta0g

  2. 📯 + 0.75708927 BTC.GET - https://telegra.ph/Binance-Support-02-18?hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf& 📯
    March 15, 2025 at 12:10 pm

    z9q7hy

  3. * * * Win Free Cash Instantly: http://ahsoverseas.com/?lhond5 * * * hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf*
    March 20, 2025 at 10:47 pm

    23c2jr

  4. 📣 You have 1 message(-s) № 780191. Go >> https://graph.org/GET-BITCOIN-TRANSFER-02-23-2?hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf& 📣
    March 22, 2025 at 1:30 am

    5nmcin

  5. 🗝 Email; Operation 1,261116 BTC. GET =>> https://graph.org/Message--05654-03-25?hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf& 🗝
    April 10, 2025 at 4:37 pm

    2v6qfa

  6. 🔒 Ticket: TRANSFER 1.66593 BTC. Go to withdrawal > https://graph.org/Message--05654-03-25?hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf& 🔒
    April 20, 2025 at 2:12 pm

    roketp

  7. Edwardhip
    April 23, 2025 at 12:47 pm

    olympe casino cresus: olympe casino cresus – olympe casino cresus

  8. PeterDor
    April 25, 2025 at 3:52 am

    Achat mГ©dicament en ligne fiable Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe pharmacie en ligne avec ordonnance pharmafst.shop

  9. Bernardnes
    April 25, 2025 at 5:02 am

    Pharmacie Internationale en ligne: pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance – pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance pharmafst.com

  10. RobertBus
    April 25, 2025 at 5:17 am

    http://tadalmed.com/# Cialis sans ordonnance 24h

  11. BillieBob
    April 25, 2025 at 6:26 am

    pharmacie en ligne pas cher: Medicaments en ligne livres en 24h – pharmacie en ligne livraison europe pharmafst.com

  12. RobertBus
    April 25, 2025 at 11:03 am

    https://kamagraprix.com/# Kamagra Oral Jelly pas cher

  13. PeterDor
    April 26, 2025 at 5:47 am

    acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance Meilleure pharmacie en ligne vente de mГ©dicament en ligne pharmafst.shop

  14. Bernardnes
    April 26, 2025 at 6:54 am

    Kamagra Commander maintenant: kamagra gel – kamagra en ligne

  15. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 7:13 am

    pharmacie en ligne fiable: Livraison rapide – pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance pharmafst.com

  16. RobertBus
    April 26, 2025 at 9:52 am

    http://tadalmed.com/# Tadalafil 20 mg prix sans ordonnance

  17. Bernardnes
    April 26, 2025 at 11:26 am

    Kamagra Commander maintenant: acheter kamagra site fiable – kamagra oral jelly

  18. PeterDor
    April 26, 2025 at 12:22 pm

    kamagra en ligne kamagra livraison 24h kamagra en ligne

  19. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 1:15 pm

    Pharmacie sans ordonnance: pharmacie en ligne – Pharmacie Internationale en ligne pharmafst.com

  20. Bradleytib
    April 26, 2025 at 2:02 pm

    pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es: Livraison rapide – Pharmacie sans ordonnance pharmafst.com

  21. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 2:51 pm

    pharmacie en ligne livraison europe: Pharmacies en ligne certifiees – pharmacie en ligne france livraison internationale pharmafst.com

  22. RobertBus
    April 26, 2025 at 2:53 pm

    https://kamagraprix.com/# kamagra pas cher

  23. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 2:53 pm

    cialis sans ordonnance: cialis sans ordonnance – Acheter Cialis tadalmed.shop

  24. RobertBus
    April 26, 2025 at 2:55 pm

    http://tadalmed.com/# cialis prix

  25. Bradleytib
    April 26, 2025 at 2:55 pm

    cialis generique: Tadalafil 20 mg prix en pharmacie – Achat Cialis en ligne fiable tadalmed.shop

  26. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 2:56 pm

    Kamagra Oral Jelly pas cher: kamagra livraison 24h – acheter kamagra site fiable

  27. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 2:57 pm

    kamagra 100mg prix: kamagra gel – acheter kamagra site fiable

  28. Bernardnes
    April 28, 2025 at 5:55 am

    pharmacie en ligne: Pharmacie en ligne France – pharmacie en ligne france pas cher pharmafst.com

  29. Stevenzen
    April 28, 2025 at 10:00 am

    online canadian pharmacy review: canadian pharmacy ed medications – canada drugs online

  30. Walterlip
    April 28, 2025 at 10:54 am

    https://rxexpressmexico.com/# Rx Express Mexico

  31. Michaelcet
    April 28, 2025 at 11:33 am

    canadian pharmacy antibiotics: ExpressRxCanada – canadian mail order pharmacy

  32. Dannycep
    April 28, 2025 at 11:59 am

    Medicine From India: indian pharmacy online shopping – indian pharmacy online shopping

  33. Michaelcet
    April 28, 2025 at 4:06 pm

    trustworthy canadian pharmacy: canadianpharmacyworld – cross border pharmacy canada

  34. Dannycep
    April 28, 2025 at 4:29 pm

    canadian drug stores: Express Rx Canada – canadian online drugs

  35. Walterlip
    April 29, 2025 at 5:59 am

    https://expressrxcanada.shop/# canadianpharmacymeds

  36. Dannycep
    April 29, 2025 at 6:43 am

    canadian pharmacy online: Generic drugs from Canada – canada ed drugs

  37. Michaelcet
    April 29, 2025 at 7:26 am

    Medicine From India: Medicine From India – indian pharmacy online shopping

  38. ZackaryPoimb
    May 5, 2025 at 8:55 pm

    https://vavadavhod.tech/# vavada

  39. Elmerwab
    May 7, 2025 at 10:46 am

    вавада официальный сайт: vavada вход – вавада казино

  40. ZackaryPoimb
    May 7, 2025 at 1:18 pm

    http://pinupaz.top/# pin-up casino giris

  41. KennethWooma
    May 7, 2025 at 1:24 pm

    пинап казино: пин ап казино официальный сайт – пин ап казино

  42. Richardamulp
    May 7, 2025 at 2:16 pm

    pinup az pin-up casino giris pin up az

  43. Elmerwab
    May 7, 2025 at 4:28 pm

    пин ап казино: пин ап вход – pin up вход

  44. Lorenzonor
    May 9, 2025 at 3:57 am

    trusted Viagra suppliers buy generic Viagra online cheap Viagra online

  45. Ronaldneose
    May 9, 2025 at 4:58 am

    http://zipgenericmd.com/# cheap Cialis online

  46. Jeremynek
    May 9, 2025 at 6:23 am

    cheap Cialis online: online Cialis pharmacy – cheap Cialis online

  47. Robertdrono
    May 9, 2025 at 8:57 am

    purchase Modafinil without prescription: buy modafinil online – buy modafinil online

  48. Lorenzonor
    May 9, 2025 at 10:37 am

    buy generic Cialis online FDA approved generic Cialis buy generic Cialis online

  49. Ronaldneose
    May 9, 2025 at 10:49 am

    http://zipgenericmd.com/# cheap Cialis online

  50. Jeremynek
    May 9, 2025 at 12:02 pm

    same-day Viagra shipping: fast Viagra delivery – secure checkout Viagra

  51. Albertoren
    May 9, 2025 at 12:46 pm

    legal Modafinil purchase: buy modafinil online – modafinil legality

  52. Robertdrono
    May 9, 2025 at 3:05 pm

    generic sildenafil 100mg: trusted Viagra suppliers – legit Viagra online

  53. Ronaldneose
    May 9, 2025 at 4:41 pm

    https://maxviagramd.shop/# trusted Viagra suppliers

  54. Lorenzonor
    May 9, 2025 at 4:56 pm

    same-day Viagra shipping cheap Viagra online no doctor visit required

  55. Albertoren
    May 9, 2025 at 5:26 pm

    buy generic Cialis online: generic tadalafil – discreet shipping ED pills

  56. Jeremynek
    May 9, 2025 at 5:30 pm

    discreet shipping ED pills: discreet shipping ED pills – discreet shipping ED pills

  57. Robertdrono
    May 9, 2025 at 7:59 pm

    buy modafinil online: Modafinil for sale – modafinil legality

  58. Albertoren
    May 9, 2025 at 10:01 pm

    discreet shipping: discreet shipping – no doctor visit required

  59. Ronaldneose
    May 9, 2025 at 10:22 pm

    http://maxviagramd.com/# trusted Viagra suppliers

  60. Jeremynek
    May 9, 2025 at 10:44 pm

    purchase Modafinil without prescription: modafinil pharmacy – legal Modafinil purchase

  61. Lorenzonor
    May 9, 2025 at 10:56 pm

    generic tadalafil best price Cialis tablets generic tadalafil

  62. Robertdrono
    May 10, 2025 at 12:43 am

    purchase Modafinil without prescription: modafinil 2025 – safe modafinil purchase

  63. Lorenzonor
    May 10, 2025 at 2:04 am

    Cialis without prescription reliable online pharmacy Cialis Cialis without prescription

  64. Albertoren
    May 10, 2025 at 3:00 am

    modafinil legality: modafinil legality – Modafinil for sale

  65. Albertoren
    May 10, 2025 at 8:00 am

    buy generic Cialis online: discreet shipping ED pills – generic tadalafil

  66. Lorenzonor
    May 10, 2025 at 8:03 am

    order Cialis online no prescription best price Cialis tablets Cialis without prescription

  67. Robertdrono
    May 10, 2025 at 11:08 am

    secure checkout ED drugs: cheap Cialis online – discreet shipping ED pills

  68. Albertoren
    May 10, 2025 at 12:59 pm

    verified Modafinil vendors: legal Modafinil purchase – buy modafinil online

  69. 💿 Ticket: Operation 1.280346 BTC. GET =>> https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf& 💿
    May 10, 2025 at 1:40 pm

    0xes9n

  70. Lorenzonor
    May 10, 2025 at 2:10 pm

    safe online pharmacy cheap Viagra online cheap Viagra online

  71. Robertdrono
    May 10, 2025 at 4:33 pm

    best price for Viagra: best price for Viagra – generic sildenafil 100mg

  72. Jeremynek
    May 10, 2025 at 5:23 pm

    secure checkout ED drugs: reliable online pharmacy Cialis – discreet shipping ED pills

  73. Albertoren
    May 10, 2025 at 5:43 pm

    no doctor visit required: fast Viagra delivery – no doctor visit required

  74. Lorenzonor
    May 10, 2025 at 8:02 pm

    FDA approved generic Cialis buy generic Cialis online order Cialis online no prescription

  75. Robertdrono
    May 10, 2025 at 9:36 pm

    secure checkout ED drugs: buy generic Cialis online – reliable online pharmacy Cialis

  76. Albertoren
    May 10, 2025 at 10:27 pm

    fast Viagra delivery: safe online pharmacy – legit Viagra online

  77. Lorenzonor
    May 11, 2025 at 1:58 am

    modafinil pharmacy purchase Modafinil without prescription legal Modafinil purchase

  78. Robertdrono
    May 11, 2025 at 2:52 am

    same-day Viagra shipping: safe online pharmacy – safe online pharmacy

  79. Albertoren
    May 11, 2025 at 3:14 am

    safe online pharmacy: trusted Viagra suppliers – discreet shipping

  80. Lorenzonor
    May 11, 2025 at 8:08 am

    discreet shipping ED pills FDA approved generic Cialis best price Cialis tablets

  81. Robertdrono
    May 11, 2025 at 8:19 am

    buy modafinil online: Modafinil for sale – purchase Modafinil without prescription

  82. Albertoren
    May 11, 2025 at 8:23 am

    secure checkout ED drugs: order Cialis online no prescription – Cialis without prescription

  83. Albertoren
    May 11, 2025 at 1:42 pm

    no doctor visit required: legit Viagra online – generic sildenafil 100mg

  84. Robertdrono
    May 11, 2025 at 1:47 pm

    Modafinil for sale: Modafinil for sale – purchase Modafinil without prescription

  85. Lorenzonor
    May 11, 2025 at 2:21 pm

    Cialis without prescription affordable ED medication buy generic Cialis online

  86. 🗒 Message; TRANSFER 1,850523 BTC. Continue => https://graph.org/Ticket--58146-05-02?hs=5d0a67d44646590c0cb05aed8abd6acf& 🗒
    May 11, 2025 at 3:38 pm

    z2na5x

  87. Albertoren
    May 11, 2025 at 7:06 pm

    best price Cialis tablets: secure checkout ED drugs – cheap Cialis online

  88. Robertdrono
    May 11, 2025 at 7:21 pm

    order Viagra discreetly: discreet shipping – safe online pharmacy

  89. Lorenzonor
    May 11, 2025 at 8:40 pm

    discreet shipping ED pills FDA approved generic Cialis Cialis without prescription

  90. Albertoren
    May 12, 2025 at 12:19 am

    fast Viagra delivery: trusted Viagra suppliers – discreet shipping

  91. Robertdrono
    May 12, 2025 at 1:01 am

    secure checkout Viagra: safe online pharmacy – no doctor visit required

  92. Lorenzonor
    May 12, 2025 at 3:11 am

    buy modafinil online doctor-reviewed advice purchase Modafinil without prescription

  93. Ronaldneose
    May 12, 2025 at 3:17 am

    https://maxviagramd.shop/# same-day Viagra shipping

  94. JudsonUtImE
    May 12, 2025 at 6:42 am

    amoxicillin 500mg price in canada: where can i buy amoxicillin without prec – Amo Health Care

  95. Russellhor
    May 12, 2025 at 7:01 am

    can i buy generic clomid without a prescription: Clom Health – how to get clomid

  96. Matthewjam
    May 12, 2025 at 8:01 am

    Amo Health Care Amo Health Care medicine amoxicillin 500

  97. JudsonUtImE
    May 12, 2025 at 11:50 am

    where can i get generic clomid: can i purchase cheap clomid without insurance – how can i get cheap clomid for sale

  98. Matthewjam
    May 12, 2025 at 2:03 pm

    Amo Health Care prescription for amoxicillin generic amoxicillin

  99. JudsonUtImE
    May 12, 2025 at 5:02 pm

    canada buy prednisone online: PredniHealth – prednisone uk

  100. Russellhor
    May 12, 2025 at 5:27 pm

    order clomid without dr prescription: Clom Health – can i purchase generic clomid

  101. Matthewjam
    May 12, 2025 at 7:58 pm

    Amo Health Care Amo Health Care amoxicillin 500 mg tablet

  102. JudsonUtImE
    May 12, 2025 at 10:02 pm

    PredniHealth: prednisone coupon – PredniHealth

  103. Russellhor
    May 12, 2025 at 10:38 pm

    amoxicillin 500 mg without a prescription: Amo Health Care – buy amoxicillin online cheap

  104. Matthewjam
    May 13, 2025 at 2:23 am

    prednisone 10 tablet 200 mg prednisone daily PredniHealth

  105. JudsonUtImE
    May 13, 2025 at 3:10 am

    can i purchase clomid price: Clom Health – get cheap clomid without insurance

  106. Russellhor
    May 13, 2025 at 4:33 am

    amoxicillin 800 mg price: amoxicillin 500 mg price – Amo Health Care

Reply your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*