Family Movie Night - Star Wars -the Rise of Skywalker

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John does not begin his Gospel with the story of Jesus’s birth, but rather with the divine nature of Christ.  Jesus is God’s word that has always existed and was there “in the beginning” when God created the heavens and the earth.  As the Son of God, the second member of the Trinity, Jesus is the light of the world and the light cannot be overpowered by the darkness.

Throughout history, darkness, evil and sin has tried to overpower the light and love of God, but it has always failed.  Nothing can stand against our God. Nothing can overpower the light.  When it looked like the darkness had won on the Friday Jesus was laid in a tomb, on that Sunday, it was revealed the light is stronger as Jesus rose and conquered sin, death and the devil.  The empty tomb is a reminder that the light cannot be defeated!

No matter how it appears or what we are facing, the light of Christ will always prevail over sin, the devil and evil. 

As you watch the movie, think of how the “darkside of the force” and the “force” can be compared to the light of Christ vs the power of sin and evil in our world.

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

If we go back to the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent and ended falling and failing, which brought sin and death into the world.  Jesus has a show down with the prince of darkness in Matthew 4 when he is tempted in the wilderness.  However, where Adam and Eve failed, Jesus prevails.  Three times Jesus quotes scripture and stands firm in the face of temptation.  Jesus does not sin, but the devil has to flee.

Now, the same power that withstood the devil in the wilderness is in us through the Holy Spirit.

As you watch the movie, think see if you can draw comparisons between the force in Rey and the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Twice in this Bible verse, Paul uses the word hope.  Hope is a powerful emotion and conviction.  Hope allows us to see God at work in any and all situations, not matter how dark.  If we know God is at work, we can endure more strongly and more patiently.  If we know God is at work, we can step out on faith even when it is scary.  If we know God is at work, we know, no matter what, it will be okay.

As you watch the movie, where do you see the power of hope lead people to step out in the face of fear?

Genesis 17:5 - No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

Throughout the Bible, God changes people’s names when he changes their identity or their path in life.  Abram becomes Abraham, because he will go from Fatherless to the Father of many.  Jacob becomes Israel because he wrestled with God and it changed his life.  Saul becomes Paul as his life is changed and he moves from someone that was torturing and tormenting God’s people to one spreading the Gospel.  Simon’s name is changed to Peter as Christ declares he is the rock that will support the Church after Christ’s death. 

Now, we might not have a name change as we come to know Christ, but our identity is changed.  We go from a sinner that is far off to a loved Child of God, forgiven, renewed, redeemed and adopted.  We become a child of God.  Our life and identity change as the power of Christ conquers and changes our sinful hearts.

As you watch the movie, watch for identity changes that produce life changes?

WATCH THE MOVIE

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was lifen,  and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

How did the light prevail over the darkness in the movie?  Did it always appear the light was going to win?  In your own life, how does it give you confidence that Christ has already claimed victory over sin, death and the devil and now just waits for the time when he will renew all things?

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

How did you see “the one” or ones in Rey being stronger than the darkside?  How does it make you feel or what does it make you think that the one that has already resisted the devil and defeated death now lives in you?

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How does Hope in the face of impossible odds bring down the Final Order?  How does hope sustain you in tough times?  How can you share the hope of the Gospel with someone else?

Genesis 17:5 - No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

How do Ben and Rey’s identities change throughout the movie?  How does being “Ben” and knowing he has been forgiven by Han Solo change his course, his life and his actions?  How does knowing that you have a new identity in Christ as a child of God make you feel and inspire you to live out the Gospel?