INTRODUCTION

Movies might be more real than we think. Imagine you could put yourself into the screen and find truth in your favorite films and shows this summer. During Watchlist at Lifehouse Church campuses and online, we’re doing exactly that: we’re stepping into the world of cinematic entertainment. Powerful truths live in some of our favorite movie and television moments.

If box office ticket sales are any indication, we Americans love movies. At least 85% of Americans are regularly watching movies and TV shows. In contrast, only about 16% of Americans are actually involved in church regularly. Of those, about 25% give anything to the church, and only about 4% regularly tithe to the local church.

What does this mean?

Every television is a teacher, and every movie is a messenger. Most people are getting their theology from the theater and from streaming platforms. Entertainment shapes our views, doubts, and beliefs. This is neither good nor bad—it’s just reality and the culture we live in, and you are part of it!

Andrew Fletcher said, “Give me the making of the songs of a nation, and I care not who writes its laws.” The same could be said for that nation’s movies and television series. If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine what a screen can communicate.

The great thing about entertainment is that it is brutally honest about the human condition. It vulnerably exposes the fears, hopes, passions, and questions that most people keep neatly hidden. However, when we watch a movie or show, we are drawn in by the story and can relate to the characters’ pain and pleasure. We often live vicariously through the plots and players, and we fantasize about being our favorite character in our own context.

So, what are we learning from this powerful medium? How are we being taught, and what are we emulating?  Our goal is to uncover the spiritual themes in the most popular pieces of cinematic entertainment from this recent season. We want to decode these relevant culture-shapers, and to unpack the truth behind these “screen teachers.”

So why examine popular movies and shows to teach spiritual lessons? It’s what Jesus did. No, he didn’t replay favorite clips or scenes on a screen, but he did use the culture of his time to teach powerful lessons about God’s Kingdom. He lived in an agrarian culture, so he told a lot of stories using farming word-pictures. Since we live in the era of high-resolution images, 4D experiences, binge-watching, and life-like animation, we should connect God’s truths to cultural connecting points. Since our modern storytelling genres on screen grip the deepest issues of the human condition, it’s easy to connect God’s message to the challenges and plots that often arise in popular movies and TV shows.

Finally, this also allows us to model how to use discretion and wisdom in your media selection. While our use of film and series clips is not an endorsement of a particular piece of entertainment, we are selective in the ones we choose to examine and would encourage every individual to thoughtfully and prayerful consider their entertainment selection process. Do you even think about who is teaching and what message they’re delivering?

Each week we’ll dive into a different film or series, then unpack the truths hidden in its messaging. We’ll discover together the intersection between our lives and our screens, as well as what’s between the stories they tell and God’s story. So bring your friends, your family, and your imagination!