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CLIP The clip starts at 1 hour, 20 minutes and 56 seconds in and lasts until 1 hour, 23 minutes and 58 seconds.
The original Pixar classic Monsters Inc. claimed (in its very catchy and Oscar-winning song) ‘I wouldn’t have nothing, if I didn’t have you.’
Sung by the two main characters, Mike and Sully, it was a symbol of how strong their friendship was and how, together, they could overcome even the toughest of obstacles. Pixar has a great track record of making excellent films for all ages, with surprisingly deep themes, and this new film continues that tradition.
Monsters University takes place a long time before Monsters Inc., at a time when the young and eager Mike and the confident, laid-back Sully are anything but friends. Mike is an enthusiastic monster who hasn’t really had a friend before, while Sully is the popular kid who seems to have had everything in life handed to him. It seems that they were destined to be enemies. Indeed, after an argument results in them both being kicked out of the prestigious Monsters University scare class, the future for them both looks very bleak. They are, however, handed a lifeline when the annual Scare Games allows them an opportunity to win back their places, as long as they can work together to overcome adversity and each other. Of course, we know that they end up as the best of friends, but it’s still enjoyable seeing how they get there.
The clip that we are looking at in this session takes place towards the end of the film and sees Mike and Sully share a heart to heart for the first time. Finally, after a long time of tensions building, they are finally able to share with each other who they really are. After showing the clip, break into small discussion groups and explore the following questions:
• What qualities are desirable in a friend?
• How do you cope with people that you find difficult? Does being a Christian mean that we should do this differently?
• Why do Mike and Sully become good friends?
• Do you have someone who you can confide in and share your feelings with?
After discussing the first set of questions, read through John 15:12-15 together, (you may wish to give some context to this passage) and return to your groups to discuss the final set of questions:
• What does this verse mean when explored practically in our lives?
• Is there a limit to how far our friendship should go with one another?
• Are you able to have a friendship with God? What would that look like?
• What would having a friendship with God require of us? Monsters University is a film suitable for most ages, so you may wish to adapt this session for younger groups as well.
