We began by watching the scene at the Drive In where the guys are talking about their evening plans and going to a party, when a former player came up talking about winning a state championship ring and that being what their goal should be. We also discussed the scene of Boobie Miles in the car with his uncle after his injury, and just the general attitude of the town, families, businessmen, etc.
We discussed: What were these people’s obsession? What do you think about this obsession? Did it not seem like football was what they lived and breathed and that it was their whole world?
We asked the group to think of and share some things they have at home that they cherish greatly.
We did an activity of ranking the values of others as well as the values of the individuals at YOUth, using some of the following questions"
What are other things people value highly?
Are any of these items fundamentally evil? Why?
Are any wrong to value? Why or why not?
The point being that when we put anything before God, regardless even if it is something good, then those things get in the way of our relationship with God. God is what we should cherish and value first. Those things that get ahead of God become idols, much like football seemed to be for the citizens of Odessa.
Some verses on Idols:
Matthew 6:19-21, 24 ("Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. 24- "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.) ; and a third to read
Matthew 10:37-39 Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me. "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.
We used these verses to discuss:
What are idols?
What the verses say the results of idolatry are?
Why you think God feels so strongly about idols?
The last verse is a tough one, talking about preferring Jesus vs. preferring parents, siblings, or children. What do you think he is getting at with this? Do you think he is saying to not love your parents? What is his point? What do you think about that?
After the discussion we ranked what SHOULD BE the top 6 of the list of things the we valued and what we felt others value. We discussed how it is probably what we think our values should be . . . but was it how we’re living?
We discussed how, in the movie were there other things going on in people’s lives that were probably more important than football that they could have valued more? (Mike’s mom, Coach Gaines’ family, graduating, Boobie and education, Business (all the men that come to the Coach’s office), Billingsley’s relationship with his dad.
We then closed with a self evaluation, with the group closing their eyes listening to the following statements and questions and quietly thinking about them and answering them:
Imagine Jesus Christ is seated in front of you.
What would Jesus say to you about how you use your free time?
What would Christ say your priorities are based on how you spend your pocket money?
What would Christ say about your energy and focus, based on your conversations with your closest friends?
Is there a difference between what you say you value most and how you live?
Are there any idols in your life? If so, how do you feel about that?
Would anything need to change in your life to make God your first priority?
How can you begin to make those changes?
