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If the last few years have been dominated by super-heroes, 2014 looks likely to be dominated by Bible characters. Noah (no prizes for guessing the Bible story), starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson, and Exodus, with Christian Bale and Aaron Paul, headline the offerings, but they’re not the only ones. Son of God, released earlier in the year was a spin- off from The Bible TV series, while Mary, Mother of Christ, due out in December is the sequel to The Passion of the Christ. The production values are high, and so are the certificates.
Christian films have grown up. The story of Noah, which so many children have heard in Sunday Schools, will be about the death of mankind, rather than giraffes on a boat. Moses’ rescue from a basket is a story of a baby escaping genocide. The neat and cuddly Bible stories we learnt growing up aren’t quite as fun as was made out. This isn’t The Prince of Egypt - this is Hollywood making gritty, not suitable for kids, Bible movies.
• Did you have a favourite Bible story as a child? What was it?
• Do you remember being told the story of Noah as a child? What did you think of it at the time?
• Why do you think we tell stories like Noah’s Ark to children? Is it ‘suitable’?
This is a story of mankind’s flaws and God’s attempt to give humanity a second chance, one that results in floods and death. It’s a story that seems so familiar, but so far from a painting of cute animals and bearded men.
Read Genesis 6 as a group and then discuss these questions:
• What do you think of God’s decision?
• Was it fair? Did God have another option?
• What would you have done in this situation?
• Is there anything that, reading the story again now, has changed your perception of it?
Encourage the group to think about the God of the Old Testament more widely; the God who sent armies into battle and saw his prophets swallowed by whales.
• What do you think God is like?
• Is your perception different to what you see in the Old Testament?
• People sometimes say that Jesus seems different from God in the Old Testament. Do you think that is true? Why or why not?
