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Movie Clip Discussions
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Are you looking for movie clips that will stimulate discussion or illustrate a given point? Well take notes, sit back, and enjoy Jonathan's movie clip page.

Coach Carter

(Paramount Pictures, 2004)

Main Point of Discussion: We are liberated from our fears when we shine our light for God.

The Movie Clip: “Progress”

Coach Carter is one of those “feel good” movies. It follows the story of Ken Carter, a former high school basketball player turned successful entrepreneur, and his “calling” to serve Richmond High School as their basketball coach.

Richmond High is a very troubled school and its basketball team is notorious for losing. Coach Carter dreams of turning everything around, beginning with the boys’ character and integrity. His first priority is to help the boys become men, and THEN to win basketball games.

The movie is definitely a great story about how character and integrity grant a person rich blessings.

Introducing the Clip:
Tonight, I’m going to show you a clip from the movie Coach Carter. It’s a few years old, and some of you may have already seen it. If you have seen it, then you know Coach Carter’s famous question is, “What are you afraid of?” For those of us who haven't seen the movie, this clip takes place as Coach Carter has just been overruled by the school board concerning canceling basketball until the team’s grades improve.

Because the team has allowed their grades to slip, Coach Carter called off practices and games – even chaining the gym doors closed – until the boys could raise their GPA’s. His decision to keep a high standard in place for his athletes angered parents, players, and the community!

His entire mission of helping the boys overcome their biggest fear was defeated when he was overruled by the school board…or so he thought. Let’s see what happens when Coach Carter walks into the school with the intention of resigning.

NOTE: This brief scene has ONE expletive in it. You will need to make the call about how to deal with it. Either warn your students and then show the clip, or skip past this line. Nobody knows your group better than you.

BEGIN CLIP AT 1:45:19 (the start of CH. 19)

Scene Script:
    JASON LYLE: Sir, they can cut the chain off the door, but they can't make us play.

    DAMIEN CARTER: We decided, we’re gonna finish what you started, sir.

    JARON WILLIS: Yeah, so leave us be coach. We got shit to do, sir. (Coach Carter stands there with a big proud smile on his face and as he turns to leave...)

    TIMO CRUZ: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so the other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same as we are liberated from our own fear. Our presence automatically liberates others. Sir, I just want to say thank you. You saved my life.

    COACH CARTER: Thank you sir's. All of you.
END CLIP AT 1:47:32

Transitional Statement:
In this scene it was obvious that Coach Carter’s basketball players had developed great respect for him. They wanted to finally give an answer to his question "What are you afraid of?" that he had constantly asked them. In the clip, we heard their answer. But if I were to ask you, “What are you afraid of?” what would your answer be?

Divide into Small Groups:
Let's go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we'll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

  1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we start, take a second to share your name and whether or not you enjoy playing basketball.


  2. ASK A FEW: In the scene we just saw, it was obvious that the basketball team had great respect for their coach. Do you have that kind of respect for someone like that in your life? If so, can you say who that person is?


  3. ASK A FEW: Coach Carter made a very tough (and very unpopular) decision to stop the basketball season when the players allowed their grades to slip. Have you ever had to make a decision that you knew was right, even though it might be very unpopular?
    4.   

  4. ASK A FEW: If you have had to make that kind of decision, were you afraid at the time?


    5. Read the following passage:

      II Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
      For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

  5. ASK SOMEONE: According to this passage, what did God not give us, AND what did He give us?


  6. ASK A FEW: In the clip we just watched, Timo Cruz said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” What did he mean by this?


  7. ASK A FEW: Is anyone courageous enough to share what their “deepest fear” is?


    8. Read the following passage:

      Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
      13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
      14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

  8. ASK SOMEONE: In this passage, Jesus is talking about salt and light. What does He say IS the salt and light?  


  9. ASK A FEW: Very specifically, how can we be salt and light in our lives?


  10. ASK A FEW: In the clip we just watched, it had this to say about light: “And as we let our own light shine…we are liberated from our own fear.” Is this true?


  11. ASK A FEW: Can our light as Christians help to liberate others? If so, how?


  12. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What can you do this week to be a light that liberates others from their fears?

Wrap Up:
Tonight we watched a clip about one young man confessing his deepest fear in life. He knew what his deepest fear was, but he also knew that he had to face it and be honest about it. Only then could he shine as he knew he was supposed to.

Tonight, we also looked at our own fears in light of biblical truth. We learned that Jesus is really counting on us to shine our lights and reveal Him to a world that is trapped in fear and doubt. If we do not shine our light for God, we too will stay trapped by our personal fears.

Let me share one more thought with you from God’s Word. In 1 John 4:18, the Bible says, “There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear….” Here is what this means. God loves us PERFECTLY! And He has shown us that perfect love by sending Jesus to die for our sins. And because God loves us perfectly, He can be trusted.

So as we live for Him, courageously shining our light for Him, our fear begins to shrink because we know that God is greater than our fears. So go and live a courageous life for God this week!

Close in Prayer

Written by Nick O’Donnell
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