  
Four policemen challenge viewers to stand strong and become good parents by modeling humility, responsibility, and integrity. Click on the order button below to download this Movie Discussion Guide as a Microsoft Word file. You'll receive a Bible-based guide for personal use or group discussion after the movie. No additional preparation is required.
Overview
Who are the heroes of our society? Certainly the men and women who serve in law enforcement qualify, risking their lives every day to stop crime and keep the peace.
But you don’t need to be a police officer to be a hero: the fight for morality is just as often fought at home as it is on the streets. Just as police officers are called to serve and protect, it’s equally important (if not more so) for parents to demonstrate love and responsibility in a fallen world. Too often crimes can be traced to a lack of a strong father figure in the lives of the perpetrators. If we want model citizens in our society, we need to model Christian ethics to our sons and daughters.
Courageous, the fourth production from the church-based Sherwood Pictures (Facing the Giants, Fireproof), follows the interwoven stories of four policemen and their desire to become better fathers to their children. The film challenges viewers to take a stand and do the right thing in a culture that all too easily rationalizes sin and temptation in our everyday living.
This study considers the importance of strong father figures in our lives, focusing on the need to model humility, responsibility, integrity, and above all love to our spouses and children. Sure, it takes courage for policemen to take on carjackers and drug dealers. But when it comes time to make hard decisions in our everyday living and do the right thing, we’re all called to be courageous.
Discussion Guide
• Movie Summary
• Discussing the Scenes
1. Demonstrating Humility
(Matthew 18:3; Colossians 3:13; Proverbs 3:11–12)
A father is unwilling to run with his son and dance with his daughter. A young man is unwilling to support his girlfriend and their daughter. Another man decides to finally put his abusive past behind by forgiving his father for past sins. It’s often been said that the first step in the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem. For many of us, including Adam, David, and Nathan in Courageous, that problem is buried beneath our pride—our reluctance to admit that we’re wrong. One of the key traits of being a good father demonstrated in the film is a willingness to humble ourselves and to come alongside our children in their times of need.
2. Demonstrating Responsibility
(1 Timothy 5:8; James 1:27; 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 John 1:8–9)
Once fathers are humble enough to take on their role, it is important to follow-through by taking responsibility. In the film, Javier is willing to do whatever it takes to make ends meet for his family (though not at the cost of his integrity—see section 3). After accepting Christ, David reaches out to his estranged girlfriend and daughter to be more active in their lives. Even Shane must accept responsibility for his actions, serving time in prison and explaining to his family that he was wrong. If we’re to be called fathers (parents), then we need to accept the responsibility that comes with the part.
3. Demonstrating Integrity
(1 Chronicles 29:17; Ephesians 6:4; Joshua 24:15)
Much of the last hour of Courageous shows the men responding to trials and temptations in their lives. Javier is asked to turn a blind eye at work in return for a promotion. Adam must consider reporting a friend’s indiscretions at work. Nathan risks upsetting his daughter by denying her dating a local teen involved with gangs. No one said integrity would be easy!
• As the Credits Roll
Based On
Courageous(Lionsgate 2011), directed by Alex Kendrick, Rated PG-13
Photo © Copyright Lionsgate You have permission to make up to 1,000 copies for use in your local church.
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