Disclaimer: For any movie, as parents, grandparents, or guardians who come in all relations, you are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the kids God has put in your care. Do your research. Check out pluggedinonline.com that has articles and movie write-ups to help. Watch the movie ahead of time without your kids. Pray about it, hunt in God's Word to see what He has to say about it, and absolutely do what you feel is right before the Lord. Whatever movies you choose to watch with your kids, watch them with your kids, and ask questions after. Any conversation that points to Jesus is a great one!
VBC Kids jr. (Preschool) Conversation Starters
You can have great conversations with your kids anytime, and movies are fantastic reasons to start those. Pick your favs to talk about or go on an adventure of your own with your kids! (Ideas below)
- There were some super cool characters in the movie. What was your favorite? Why? What’s the coolest thing you think God made in our world? Do you know God made you?
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.
Psalm 139:13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I think you’re the coolest think God made!
- What color were their faces? (Blue) What color is your face? Do you want a blue face? No…God made your face just the color that it is, and it’s beautiful!
Psalm 139:13 For You [God] formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.
Check out these adventure ideas to go along with the movie!
VBC Kids Conversation Starters
You can have great conversations with your kids anytime, and movies are fantastic reasons to start those.
Pick your favs to talk about (don't forget #6) or go on an adventure of your own with your kids! (Ideas below)
- Ian Lightfoot was super shy at the beginning of the movie and quite adventurous at the end. What is one thing you wish you were brave enough to do?
- Mushroomton was very diverse. That means there were all kinds of people who lived in Mushroomton. Can you name a few? (Cyclops, elves, trolls, dragons, unicorns, manticore, sprites, mermaids, etc.)
How did they treat each other?
Ian and the trolls – the trolls outside school wanted to go to his birthday party and they ended up being friends.
Barley and the sprites - Even though the sprites were mean, they didn’t treat Barley different. Barley tried to help the sprites fulfill their full potential
Officer Colt Bronco and Laurel Lightfoot – They were dating even though they were clearly different
How do you treat people who are different than you?
How did Jesus treat people who were different than Him? (He healed them, ate with them, spoke to them, etc.)(Matthew 9:36, Matthew 9:10-13, Matthew 19:14, etc.)
What verses can you find about how God wants you to treat other people? (Hint: Ephesians 4:32, Luke 6:31, John 15:12, I John 4:20-21 1 Peter 3:8-12)
- Ian didn’t grow up with his dad. Who did he find that took the place of his dad? Who is someone in your life that you look up to? Why do you think that person is a good role model or not?
- Ian wasn’t sure who he was or what he was made to do, but by the end of the story he was figuring that out! God made you with something very special and very specific in mind. What do you think God made you to do?
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10
“One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:37-39
- While on their quest Ian couldn’t do a spell to make the rocks fall. What did Barley do? (He gave up something he loved for the benefit of someone he loved) How is that like or unlike Jesus? What did Jesus do for you? (He gave up His life for us)
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:13
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. - Hebrews 9:28
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. - Mark 10:45
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:6-8
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
- Ian also gave up something for Barley. What was that? (He gave up the opportunity to meet his dad…)
Have you ever given up something for someone? Was it hard? Was it worth it in the end?
How do you think Jesus felt when He gave up His life for us?
Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Mark 14:36 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
Was it worth it in the end?
Why? (Romans 3:23 & 6:23)
Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3a)…make memories with them!
- CLIFF ADVENTURE - Find a beach with cliffs like the ones by the fountain at the end of the movie. LOCAL BEACHES
- ROAD TRIP - Ian and Barley Lightfoot drove through all different types of terrain on their quest. Drive to Point Reyes or another area that has several different landscapes along the way.
- SCAVENGER HUNT - The brothers had to walk from Raven’s Point to each point. Set up a scavenger hunt for your kids or find a great local park to take a walk in together. LOCAL PARKS
- CHEETOS PUFF RACE - Go to a gas station and get some Cheetos puffs. (seriously) Find a stream or any moving water (even if it’s in your front yard) and have each person pick a Cheetos puff to race. Set them in the water and see who’s wins! If you don’t like the competition, have a Cheetos puff and put it at the top of your driveway or walkway. Turn on the garden hose and see if you can get the Cheetos puff to go all the way down to the street! (Please make sure you pick up the Cheetos puff and throw it away when you’re done. We don’t want to litter!)
- STORY TIME - Find any good place to read (beach, park, picnic in the front room, dining room table tent, bedtime) Pick one of these stories, read it, and talk about it together.
Cain & Abel, Jacob & Esau, Joseph & His Brothers, The Prodigal Son- How the brothers in these stories were similar or different to the Lightfoot brothers?
- How do you think God wants us to act? (Read Ephesians 4:32, Luke 6:31, Mark 12:30-31)
Family Movie Night: Raya and the Last Dragon
Disclaimer: For any movie, you are ultimately responsible for the kids God has put in your care. If you have concerns, check it out. Do your research. Check out pluggedin.com. Watch it ahead of time without your kids. Pray about it, hunt in God's Word to see what He has to say about it, and absolutely do what you feel is right before the Lord. Whatever movies you choose to watch with your kids, watch them together, and ask questions after. Any conversation that points to Jesus is a great one!
PluggedIn Raya Review
Family Cultural Fun
TALK ABOUT IT!: Kids Conversation Starters (Pick a couple you like and talk about it!)
- There are some amazing creatures in this movie. Which is your favorite? What’s your favorite creature that God made on earth?
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
Colossians 1:15-17 "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." - If you were one of the dragons which color dragon would you want to be and what powers would you want to have? (Breathing underwater/Swimming, Glowing, Shapeshifting, Breathing mist, Making rain, making water platforms.)
Did you know God made you unique? There’s no one like you on the whole earth, and God made with you special abilities on purpose! You just have to find out what those things are and use them to make Jesus shine!-use them “for His glory!”
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."1 Corinthians 10:31
Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
What things do you think God made unique (or special) about you?
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 - What good qualities did Sisu have? (Trust, Hope, Peacemaker, Positivity, Goodness, Empathy) What good qualities do you have? Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
- Trust is a big issue in the movie. Who do you trust? Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
- Which character do you think you’re most like and why? For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Matthew 5:16"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Which place would you have liked to live in Kumandra? (heart, tail, talon, fang, spine) Psalm 119:64 "The earth is filled with Your love, LORD; teach me Your decrees." Isaiah 6:3 "And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.'”
- How are the druun like sin? The “druun” were “born of human discord” That’s exactly sin. They are “mindless creatures of pure evil” sin is evil (anything we say, do, or even think that displeases God) When you start doing something wrong it can consume you, make your heart hard towards God.
Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—"
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - What makes the druun different than sin? We sin on our own.
Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - How was the power of the Dragon gem like Jesus dying on the cross for us? When Jesus died on the cross for us it conquered sin and death. It defeated the enemy. Jesus' power brings people's hearts of stone to life, and gives them new life in Christ!
Ezekiel 36:26 "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
2 Timothy 1:10 "but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." - How are Christians (people who have decided to follow Christ) like the light gem?
Matthew 5:15-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
John 3:19 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." - Why should the people of Kumandra have gotten along? (They were all part of one body.) Did you know that if you have accepted Jesus, we are all part of one body in Christ? Ephesians 4:2-6 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
- What does Chief Benja do to try to bring unity in the movie? Share food. Talk to them/Be honest with them. Trust them even though they haven’t earned it. Is there someone you need to have unity with? How can you try to “take the first step?”
Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - What causes division? What causes people to be divided? (people, sin, the enemy) What should you do about it?
Romans 16:17 "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them."
Titus 3:10 "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,"
Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." - Did you like when the dragons ran around the sky together?
Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." - There were several temples in the movie. Did you know if you have accepted Jesus, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
DO IT TOGETHER!: Cultural Family Fun Ideas
Family Movie Night: Finding Nemo
Disclaimer: For any movie, as parents, grandparents, or guardians who come in all relations, you are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the kids God has put in your care. Do your research. Check out pluggedinonline.com that has articles and movie write-ups to help. Watch the movie ahead of time without your kids. Pray about it, hunt in God's Word to see what He has to say about it, and absolutely do what you feel is right before the Lord. Whatever movies you choose to watch with your kids, watch them with your kids, and ask questions after. Any conversation that points to Jesus is a great one!
TALK ABOUT IT:
- List some of the characters from the movie.
Which character would you choose as a friend? Why?
“A friend loves at all times…” - Proverbs 17:17
- How did Nemo get into all that trouble? (He disobeyed) Sometimes we don’t realize the danger of our choices. Parents understand it better and want to help you make good choices...that’s a big reason God gave them to you! Kids who disobey, often end up with harsh consequences.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” Ephesians 6:1-3
- Name some characters who worked together to do something they could not do alone.
Marlin & Dory—Find Nemo
Marlin, Dory, & Nigel (the pelican)—Fly to the dentist
Crush & Squirt—Navigate the EAC
Nemo & Tank friends—Escape the tank
Nemo, Dory, & Fish—Release from the net
Why is it important to work together?
“...A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
- Nemo had a “lucky fin” and Dory had some challenges. How should we treat people who have different challenges than us?
”Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31
(Questions adapted from teachwithmovies.org)
DO IT! Pick one and do it together.
EXPLORE UNDER THE SEA - Visit an aquarium...even online! Look for 3 amazing fish you’ve never seen before!
“[God] is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-He remains faithful forever.” Ps. 146:6
PLAY OVER THE SEA - Play “Will it Float” by collecting random supplies (i.e. paper scraps, tape, items from the recycle bin) and assembling them into the best floating contraption they can think of. Test it out in some water, or have a race outside with the garden hose.
Did you know Jesus walked on water?! Check it out for yourself! (Matthew 14:22-33) He also calmed the wind and waves. (Matthew 8:24-27) “The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!’” Matthew 8:24-27
MAKE "SEA"FOOD - Look up recipes for sea treats and make one together! “So God created the great creatures of the sea...And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:21 Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8
HAVE AN ADVENTURE - Nemo, Marlin and Dory had quite the adventure. What would your best adventure day look like? Plan it! “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence...” Psalm 16:11 “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” Psalm 84:10
Family Movie Night: Dolphin Reef
Disclaimer: For any movie, as parents, grandparents, or guardians who come in all relations, you are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the kids God has put in your care. Do your research. Check out pluggedinonline.com that has articles and movie write-ups to help. Watch the movie ahead of time without your kids. Pray about it, hunt in God's Word to see what He has to say about it, and absolutely do what you feel is right before the Lord. Whatever movies you choose to watch with your kids, watch them with your kids, and ask questions after. Any conversation that points to Jesus is a great one!
TALK ABOUT IT: (Pick a couple questions)
- List some of the characters from the movie.
Which character would you choose as a friend? Why?
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17
- Daily 3—When we read the Bible we ask 3 questions...ask them about the movie too!
What does it say about God?
What does it say about me?
What am I going to do about it? - How can we take care of God’s creation? Isaiah 24:4-5
- What do you think about this Bible Verse? “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
Without excuse for what? Look up and read Romans 1:18-22, 28-31
Acknowledge God—“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.” Romans 4:8
Acknowledge We’ve Messed Up— “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
Discover Jesus—”For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Choose Him—“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9