Using FilmTalk Small Group Bible Studies

What is a FilmTalk? A FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study is a study guide in pdf format that will lead participants through five areas of spiritual, ethical, or moral discussion based on scenes or ideas contained in the movie.	Iron Man Click to Download

Let's take a tour. Start by downloading this free sample FilmTalk for Ironman:

The FilmTalk Card is laid out in five content areas. Each generally contains four elements:

Some context so that everyone will know what part of the film you are talking about.
Questions about the movie. By getting people talking about character actions and motivations, you can discuss spiritual and moral topics without getting too personal. People, especially those new to your group, will be more comfortable initially talking about a character rather than themselves.
Scripture references. Make sure you have a Bible handy. Reading Scripture helps the conversation transition from the film to the real world.
Questions about the Bible passage. Here is where participants can dig into the meaning of the Scriptures and how they apply to their lives.

What Benefits will I get from using a FilmTalk?

FilmTalks refocus after-film conversations from the exciting special effects to deeper spiritual, moral, and ethical topics. More people talk about spiritual things after some films than after a sermon. FilmTalks open up the door so these discussions can happen.

Indirect discussion. Many people are self-conscious, especially when they are new to a group. FilmTalks help ease people into the discussion by first talking about characters or plots of a film - something that everyone talks about after a movie. Once people get talking, we can open up the Scriptures and shift the conversation from the fiction film to people's real lives.

Make Movies Matter: People are already seeing a lot of films. We watch DVDs, films on television, on our computers, and at the theater. People are already hearing Hollywood's side of the story - we should share ours too.

Who Should Use FilmTalks?

Parents taking their kids out for a movie.
College/Career and Youth pastors using film as an outreach opportunity
Small Group fellowships that want to get more out of an evening out
Youth Groups who want more than entertainment from a lock-in movie night
Anyone who wants to learn to see the spiritual opportunities presented by popular film

How do I use a FilmTalk?

FilmTalks require three things:

a group of people
a film you all want to see
and a downloadable FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study.

FilmTalks work well whether you're watching a DVD with your family or group at home or if you all decide to catch the latest release at the theater.

After the film, break out snacks or head to a local diner where you can meet to talk about the movie. Let everyone share about what they liked about the film, and then move into the first set of questions. It is really just that easy. Don't worry if you can't get to all of the questions, or if some of the questions spark others of your own. The tone of these studies is informal.