Study / Discussion Guide

Transcription

1 Study / Discussion Guide Prepared by Dr. Dave Rueter, Prof. of Christian Education Concordia University - Irvine Copyright Enthuse Entertainment 2013

2 Introduction Alone Yet Not Alone tells the story of the Leininger family. The Leiningers were a German family who sought a be>er life in the new world. Like many other German families, the Leiningers choose to se>le in Pennsylvania, which, being part of the BriFsh colonies provide more religious freedom to German Lutherans like them. Yet as we quickly learn, the opportunifes of life in the new world came with many risks and hardships. Blessed with more land in America than they could have hoped for in the old country, the Leiningers found themselves exposed on the fronfer as the French and Indian War began. Despite conflicfng claims over property rights, the se>lers in the English colony of Pennsylvania lived in peace with the nafve tribes for more than 70 years. Tensions between the French and English would bring the peace to an end. Throughout Alone Yet Not Alone, we see how faith in Christ can sustain you as you rely on His promise that God will never forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5 Deut. 31:6) Discussion The questions are designed for use in small group Bible studies or discussion groups. The structure for each will include the,,, and Take Home. The will present a reminder of a scene in the movie to you as the leader that you can share with your small group as a jumping off point for your discussion. The will attempt to bridge the scene from the movie to a more contemporary setting that better connects with the lives of members of your small group. The section will provide the critical grounding in God s Word to further focus your discussion in Christ. Finally the Take Home will provide time to reflect on what lessons can be taken home and made a part of the daily lives of the members of your group. As a group leader feel free to use what portions of the discussion guide that you believe your group will best resonate with and as much of the discussion guide as your time permits. Gen Conte In his previ no ne Bradd desir the m Conn In ou that w How or a r How migh Scrip Prid How Why How

3 General Braddock Cost Of Freedom General Braddock In his tent, General Braddock is informed that leaders of six local tribes, who have previously aligned themselves with the English, are there to meet with him. Seeing no need for their help and believing these warriors to be nothing but simple savages, Braddock dismisses their help. Insulting these proud warriors and dismissing their desire to regain hunting access to their ancestral lands, Braddock sets the conflict of the movie into motion, driving these tribes into an alliance with the French. In our own lives we can allow our own egos to get in the way of receiving the help that we need. How many times have we avoided getting directions, asking for help with our work or a repair around the house or even a relationship in need of restoration? How often do we fail to see the wisdom in seeing what others have to offer that might really help us? Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 How does pride impact our heart? Why is it that pride goes before destruction? How did Braddock s pride go before his destruction? What could he have done differently and what possible impact could have come from a wiser reaction to the tribal leaders? Take Home In what areas of your life have you see pride give you or others around you trouble? What can you do to help root out this destructive pride from your life? How might you seek help in doing so? Cost of Freedom The Leininger family gave up a lot to start a new life in America. They left behind the world that they knew for the chance at freedom. In discussions as a family, Papa Leininger talked about how valuable their freedom was, and that the hard work that they faced to scratch out a living was well worth it. The work and freedom offered them a better life than the one they had left behind. In America today, we still value our freedom. Yet it still holds true that we must approach that freedom with responsibility. What must we do to take responsibility for our freedom? How do we sometimes take our freedoms for granted? For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:1 & 13 Read Galatians 5:1-15 In Christ, we have and enjoy a good deal of freedom. We are no longer subject to the law as we were while we were still lost in sin. However this is not to be seen as a license. What does it mean that we are free in Christ? Free from what? Why is that so very important? How was this freedom threatened to the point that Paul addressed that threat in this passage to the Galatian Christians? Take Home In what ways is our freedom today threatened? In what ways have we achieved greater freedoms? How do we remain free as we serve others in the name of Christ? What is to be our attitude as we serve?

4 Guiding Light Guiding Light Barbara grew up hearing from her parents that God would never leave her or forsake her. They sang a hymn (the basis for the movie s title) that reminded them of this truth from scripture. A verse from that hymn is: Alone yet not alone God's the light that will guide me home With his love and tenderness Leading through the wilderness In any land I roam I'm alone yet not alone After the Delaware captured Barbara and Regina, they continue to draw upon this promise and hymn for strength. Barbara adopts their neighbor Marie and encourages her through this song by the firelight one night. Being abducted like the Leininger girls were may feel a world away, yet this remains a reality in life. Just recently in California, Hannah Anderson was kidnapped from San Diego and later found in Idaho. We hear about abductions internationally more often that we do domestically, but the Amber Alert System reflects the reality of such occurrences in our own backyards. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. - Hebrews 13:5 & Deut. 31:6 NoFce that this promise is presented in both the Old and New Testaments. How has God shown Himself to be faithful in the lives of the people that you have read about in the Bible? What comfort did this promise provide to them? Take Home Think of a Fme in your life where you especially needed to recall the promise of God to never forsake you. How did recalling this Fme sustain you, or if you found yourself in doubt of God s promise how might it have helped? (Note to leaders: You can rephrase this to help group members who might not have known Christ at a given Gme consider the implicagons that this promise might have had, or for those who failed to recall this promise, what it was like later when they finally remembered.)

5 Unexpected Aid Unexpected Aid Following Regina being taken away from the group that her sister was a part of, all Barbara could think of what how she could keep her promise not to leave Regina. She waited and looked for every opportunity to escape and search for her beloved sister. When the chance arose to steal a horse and escape, Barbara jumps. Unfortunately she is not able to get away and is tracked down and caught. As she is about to lose her life as punishment for fleeing, she begins to pray, seeking a rescue from God. Just when all seemed lost, Galasko steeped in to her defense. He reasons with his fellow warriors that her promise to protect her sister is no more than what any of them might do and that her courage was to be honored not punished. God thus found a rather unexpected way to bring aid to Barbara. God does not always provide answers to our prayers in ways that we might expect. Think for a moment about times when God has answered your prayers or those of others you know in an unexpected way. Share these with the group. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too linle to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. - Micah 5:2 When Christ took on flesh and was born the son of Mary, no one was looking to Bethlehem to produce such a child. Yet, God through the prophet Micah pointed to Bethlehem as indeed that place from which the Messiah would come. When we pray, we do not always know how, when, or even who God will use to answer our prayers. Take Home How can each of us be more open to God s creative ways of answering prayer? Is there anything that you are currently praying for that you might want to consider looking for an unexpected source for an answer from God? Think of a time when God answered your prayer in a way that you did not expect and share with the group.

6 Fear & Courage Fear & Courage While remaining a captive of the Delaware, Barbara remained confident through her faith in Christ. Meanwhile, miles way and out of direct danger, the Governor of Pennsylvania was too paralyzed with fear to act decisively to either mount a rescue of the captured settlers or provide for the defense of those who remained under threat. It is hard to know before something happens just how we might react. People who might otherwise appear brave often melt under the pressure and others who you would not expect to rise to the occasion, do just that. Has there been a time in your life where you either where more bold than expected or lacked the bravery you might have expected to have? The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. - Proverbs 28:1 When we doubt the presence and strength of Christ in our lives we despair flee when we should remain bold. How has your faith in Christ aided you in remaining steadfast in the face of struggle or danger? Take Home While is it true that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), our trust in God sustains us from things that might otherwise cause us fear. What can you do to help remind others to remain steadfast in the one true faith, even when facing trials and challenges in life? How can we strengthen our faith in Christ, so that we are able to stand bravely and firm in that faith?

7 Alone Yet Not Alone Redux Alone Yet Not Alone Redux At the end of the movie, the Leiningers are visited by Pastor Muhlenberg with news that Regina may be among the captives who were released when the French and Indian War came to an end. With so many families trying to find their lost loved ones, Barbara and her mother began to despair that they might never find Regina. Desperate, they approach the captain to see if he could provide any help. Songbird! Reminded of the old hymn they used to sing as a family, she begins to sing, hoping, just hoping that by some slim chance Regina is really there. What a joy it is to find what was once lost! Share with the group a time when you have lost and a time when you have regained what you lost. Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety- nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7 Read Luke 15:1-7 Why is there so much joy in heaven for the salvation of the lost? How should this impact how we look at those who don t yet know the love of Christ? Take Home God remains faithful through all the trials and travails that life can throw at us, just as the hymn Alone Yet Not Alone reminds us. When we are lost God seeks us out and celebrates our return will all the angels in heaven. How can knowing the faithfulness of God give you hope when you feel hopeless? What memory can you hold on to yourself to sustain your faith?

8 Concluding Prayer Concluding Prayer Gracious Heavenly Father, You are ever faithful and for that we rejoice. You were faithful to your promise to redeem us with the very blood of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. For that also we rejoice. May we remain ever mindful of your faithfulness. May we be sustained in our love for you by the outpouring if your love for us. Grant that we might share that love with those whom you place in our lives, that they may know your love too. In you we are truly never alone. Bless us and keep us secure in that knowledge. In the name of Christ our Lord we pray. Amen. Copyright Enthuse Entertainment