The Gospel According To Star Wars - Covenant

Transcription

Covenant-First Presbyterian Church
Presents:
The Gospel
According To
Star Wars
By:
Brook Perkins &
Andy Adams
Forward
As a teenager, C.S. Lewis abandoned Christianity. Eighteen years later, a day after dining
with longtime friend J.R.R. Tolkien (a devout Roman Catholic) and Reading University
professor Hugo Dyson, C.S. Lewis became a Christian. One month later, in a letter to his
best friend, Arthur Greeves, Lewis wrote, “Now the story of Christ is simply a true myth: a
myth working on us in the same way as the others, but with this tremendous difference that
it really happened… the Pagan stories are God expressing Himself through the minds of
the poets, using through what we call ‘real things’, namely, the actual incarnation,
crucifixion, and resurrection.”
Some have interpreted Lewis’ “true myth” statement as a way to Christianize mythology.
Similarly, Star Wars fans have always noticed, or have strived to see, parallels between the
ways of the Jedi and the ways of God and of Christian faith. Star Wars creator George
Lucas has made several comments over the years adamantly stating that his movies are
not based around Christian faith. Yet, partly because of its unparalleled success at the box
office, fans listen intently to Obi Wan’s teachings and strive to live the ideal Jedi life and
walk in the Jedi faith, and then die in some dramatic and honorable fashion, be
reincarnated as a wispy image, and sit next to Master Yoda.
Before things get out of hand with light sabers, priest-like characters, and deep “Jedi
Christian” dialogues, let me be the first to say that the force is in no way God. Lucas has
stated that the force symbolizes God – the unseen power of good – while the dark side of
the force represents the forces of evil. There is a light side and a dark side to the force,
comparable to the yin-yang balance of Taoism, but 1 John 1:5 states, “God is light; in Him
there is no darkness.” Said another way, God is good, and only God can be God. There
are many themes throughout the Star Wars movies that illustrate Christian values, but this
single verse separates Christian faith from the force and a really great children’s story of
good versus evil.
Perhaps the most meaningful goal of The Gospel According to Star Wars is to see the
challenges and victories in your everyday Christian life. There will always be a teacher and
a student, and there will always be evil, but thanks to God and His Son, there will always be
good and we will always have a purpose. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Looking for God – or Heaven
– by exploring space is like reading or seeing all Shakespeare's plays in the hope that you
will find Shakespeare as one of the characters.” You won’t find God in Star Wars, per se,
but it is by His hand that the stories were written, and He is the reason why you are reading
this now. And, with that, I present The Gospel According to Star Wars.
Covenant-First Presbyterian Church † Cincinnati, OH
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Episode IV: A New Hope
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
April 6 - May 4, 2005
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STAR Wars
Episode IV: A NEW HOPE
SESSION ONE – “Help Me Obi-Wan Kenobi”
Watch the first thirty minutes of Star Wars: A New
Hope. Stop the tape or DVD as Luke and Ben are helping
the battered C-3PO to his feet.
“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” So
ends Princess Leia’s message delivered to Obi-Wan and
Luke Skywalker by R2-D2. The delivery of this message
was paramount to the plucky astro-mech droid. Every
action he took in the movie’s first thirty minutes is
motivated by his urgent desire to see this message
safely to its intended recipient.
As a Christian you have been given a far more
precious message. Its safe delivery, like Artoo’s
message, can ensure that millions are saved. What are
you willing to face to see that it arrives in time?
Episode IV: A New Hope – Session 1
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Discussion Questions
1- Immediately after Artoo receives the
message and plans from Leia, C-3PO,
Artoo’s constant counterpart and
companion, arrives on the scene
panicked by the ruthless attack by
the Empire. He says, “They’re heading
in this direction. What are we going
to do? We’ll be sent to the spice
mines of Kessel or smashed into who
knows what!” Artoo has a message inside him and it
gives him both purpose and direction. You have the
message and plan written on your heart clearly
spelled out in John 3:16 and Matthew 28:19-20. How
has this allowed you to move with both purpose
and direction?
2- Read Acts 21:7-14. Artoo, now extremely focused
upon delivering the message, enters an escape pod.
C-3PO warns him: “Hey you’re not
permitted in there. It’s restricted.
You’ll be deactivated for sure.”
How is Paul’s situation similar? Have
you ever faced a situation where you have to
choose between your faith and your
safety/comfort? Have you ever taken God’s
message and refused to share it with someone?
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3- Read Philippians 1:12 and 2 Timothy 2:9. Blasting off
from the crippled rebel ship and crash landing on
the planet Tatooine, Artoo and
Threepio are quickly captured by
a desert dwelling scavenger
tribe called the Jawas. How does
this serve to advance Artoo’s
message? What have you faced in
your own life that was difficult but actually
served to advance God’s message?
4- Uncle Owen has just purchased C-3PO and a red
Artoo unit from the Jawas. As the red droid rolls
toward Owen’s nephew, Luke
Skywalker, the Artoo’s head
suddenly explodes. Luke yells back
to his uncle, “This Artoo unit has
a bad motivator. Look.” What is
your motivator? Is it good or is
it one day going to make your head explode?
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5- While receiving his oil bath after an Empire attack
in space and a long day in the sand
on Tatooine, C-3PO exclaims, “Thank
the maker!” This phrase has been
referred to as the single explicit
theistic reference of the trilogy.
We discover who Threepio’s maker is
in Episode I, but who do you think he
was thanking? Why do you think George Lucas
worded this phrase in this manner?
6- Read the following verses: 2 Corinthians 1:9, 2
Corinthians 4:17, and 1 Peter 4:12. Several times in
the course of the film, C-3PO comments on
his and Artoo’s circumstances: “We’ll be
destroyed for sure. This is madness!” –
“I’m going to regret this.” – “How did I
get into this mess? I really don’t know
how. We seem to be made to suffer it is
our lot in life.” – “We’re doomed.” – “Do
you think they’ll melt us down?” – “Don’t
shoot! Don’t shoot! Will this never end?” With
these verses in mind, how does Threepio’s view of
circumstances compare with the view that Paul and
Peter insist that Christians hold?
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STAR Wars
SESSION two – “you must learn the ways of the
force”
Pick up watching Star Wars: A New Hope where you left
off. Stop the tape or DVD right after Ben Kenobi says
to Luke, “That’s good. You’ve taken your first step
into a larger world.”
“You must learn the ways of the force if you’re to
come with me to Alderaan.” Ben Kenobi speaks these
words and thus begins the transformation of Luke
Skywalker. He moves from selfish farm boy to a
selfless warrior, all because he begins to learn the
ways of the Force.
As Christians we undergo a similar transformation
when we turn our lives over to the guiding hand of the
Holy Spirit and immerse ourselves in God’s Word.
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1- Ben Kenobi hands Luke Skywalker a light saber and
says, “I have something here for you. Your father
wanted you to have this when you were old enough
but your uncle wouldn’t allow it…This is the
weapon of a Jedi.” As Christians, we too have been
presented with a similar weapon, the Holy
Scriptures. Read the following verses and see if
you can draw the parallels between the dialog and
scripture:
“…when you were old enough…” – Ephesians 4:14-15
“…but your uncle wouldn’t allow it…” – Matthew 10:34-35a
“…the weapon of the Jedi…” – Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12
2- Read Judges 3:9-11, John 6:43-44, and Acts 1:8. After
briefly talking about Luke’s father, Ben touches on
the Force: “Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his
power…It surrounds us and penetrates us.” Jedi
Knights are not the only ones who can draw upon
real power. The Holy Spirit, through prayer, gives
us strength for seemingly insurmountable tasks
and changes our heart (penetrates us). What has
the Holy Spirit done in your life?
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3- Read Genesis 12:1, 4 and Acts 8:26-27a. After hearing
Princess Leia’s entire message, Ben
says to Luke, “You must learn the
ways of the Force if you’re to
come with me to Alderaan.” Luke
responds, “I’m not going to
Alderaan.” Each one of us is
called by God to a specific
mission. Abraham’s and Philip’s response is
completely different than Luke’s. Whose response
does yours most closely resemble? Why?
4- Read the following verses: Matthew 5:11-12,
Philippians 1:29 and James 1:2-4.
After Luke returns from the
smoldering ruins of his Aunt and
Uncle’s farm, he boldly declares,
“I want to come with you to Alderaan…I want to
learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like
my father.” In the face of personal tragedy and
suffering, Luke chooses to seek comfort rather
than revenge. What do they have to say of the
subject of suffering? How does scripture compare
with Luke’s response? How does it compare with
your own response?
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5- Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area
wielding his light saber. Ben, studying his movements
from the corner, says, “Remember, a Jedi can feel
the Force flowing through him.” Luke asks, “You
mean it controls your actions?” “Partially,” Ben
replies. “But it also obeys your commands.” This is
one very important difference between the Holy
Spirit and the Force. The Holy Spirit does not
“obey your commands”. Read Acts 13:4-12. The key
verse in that passage is the fourth one. Paul was
serving as an instrument of God. He was “in the
Spirit” so everything that followed was God’s will.
The Holy Spirit was not obeying Paul’s command;
Paul was simply making the pronouncement. Read
Romans 8:2-9 to get and excellent picture of what
it means to live in the Spirit. Is this the manner in
which you conduct your life? If not, what is
hindering you?
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6- Ben places a large helmet on Luke’s head that
covers his eyes. Luke laughs and says, “With the
blast shield down. I can’t see.
How am I supposed to fight?”
Ben replies, “Your eyes can
deceive you. Don’t trust them.
Stretch out your feelings.”
Ben tells Luke that without
the Force he will not be able
to use his saber effectively. So it is with us. Martin
Luther said, “Where the Spirit does not open
Scripture, the Scripture is not understood even
though it is read.” Read Luke 24:45. In this passage
Jesus opened the disciples mind’s to understand
Scripture. The Holy Spirit is willing to this with us
today. Have you ever come across a Bible passage
that made no sense? Have you ever asked the Holy
Spirit for discernment?
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STAR Wars
SESSION three – “Marching into the
Detention Area Is Not What I Had in Mind”
Pick up watching Star Wars: A New Hope where you left
off. Stop the tape or DVD right as the Millennium
Falcon is escaping from the Death Star.
“Marching into the detention area is not what I had
in mind.” Han makes this remark when Luke wants to
storm into the detention block and rescue Princess
Leia. Han feels that he has already done far more than
he bargained for on this trip. By contrast, Luke,
growing in the Force, is eager to assist in any way he
can.
As Christians, we face many difficulties from the
moment we pick up the cross and choose to follow
Jesus. As we grow and trust more of our lives to the
Holy Spirit, we will make better decisions and be
equipped to respond to whatever the world may
throw our way.
Covenant-First Pr esbyterian Church † Cincinnati, OH
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1- The Millennium Falcon has been trapped but her
crew has managed to elude
capture. In a command office
overlooking the docking bay,
our heroes plot to deactivate
the tractor beam. Ben says, “I
don’t think you boys can help. I must go alone.” Luke
replies, “I want to go with you.” “Be patient
Luke…The Force will be with you always.” Ben calls
Luke to patience. In Romans 5:3-5, Paul calls us too.
Do you allow your
problems/frustrations/difficulties to serve as a
call to patience? If not, how can you begin too?
2- Ben leaves and Threepio relays to the others that
Princess Leia is in the detention area. “I’m afraid
she’s scheduled to be terminated.” Luke immediately
responds, “Oh no! We’ve got to do something…We’ve
got to help her.” Luke is deeply sympathetic to Leia
as we are called to be in Romans 12:15. It also moves
Luke to action (James 2:14-17). What event/happening
in the world has moved you from sympathy to
action? What was the driving force in that
transition? A response to the Spirit? Something
else?
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3- Han Solo has to be convinced or, more accurately,
seduced to help the princess. Luke tells Han, “She’s
rich…powerful. Listen, if you
were to rescue her, the reward
would be…more wealth than
you can imagine.” Han agrees to
this and sets up for himself the
problem that Jesus explains in
Matthew 6:24. It will plague him
until the end of the movie when
he is forced to make a choice.
How often have we set ourselves up like this?
What can we do to prevent it?
4- Han, Luke and Chewbacca break Princess Leia out of
her cell but they are quickly cut off by
Stormtroopers. They respond by tearing into each
other. “Looks like you managed to cut off our only
escape route.” “Maybe you’d like it back in your
cell, your highness.” “This is some rescue.” “What an
incredible smell you’ve discovered.” “Put that thing
away. You’re going to get us all killed.” Biting
comments like this, while terrific movie dialog, work
against what Christ prayed for us in John 17:20-23.
Read that and James 3:4-12. How can we stop such
cutting remarks before they ever start?
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5- Han, Luke, Leia and Chewbacca spend the next ten
minutes of the movie being chased all over the
Death Star by hordes of Stormtroopers. David
spent part of his life being
hunted by the army of Israel.
Read Psalm 56 to see an amazing
response to this kind of
persecution. When things in
your life are chasing you down,
what is your response?
6- The heroes run, dodge, swing, and fight their way
back to the hanger bay. As they are racing for the
ship, Luke notices Ben engaged in
light saber battle with Darth
Vader. Ben looks at Luke and
what is conveyed in that look
is best summed up in Philippians
2:16-18. Ben gives his life to further Luke’s
dependence on the Force. What have you
given/sacrificed to advance someone’s walk with
God?
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STAR Wars
SESSION four
“May the force be with you”
Watch the final thirty minutes of Star Wars: A New
Hope.
“May the Force be with you.” This blessing, or some
variation of it, is pronounced several times in the final
quarter of the movie. It is the speaker’s hope that this
powerful energy field that surrounds us and
penetrates us will guide and protect the one receiving
it.
In Numbers 6:24-26, we have been given a blessing that
will allow us to not demonstrate our love and
encouragement to others but ask for God’s divine
favor to rest upon the recipients. “The Lord bless you
and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and
be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance
upon, and give you peace.”
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1- The Millennium Falcon escapes the Death Star and
blasts off to the rebel’s hidden
base on the fourth moon of
Yavin. The plans are quickly
analyzed and General Dodonna
explains the Death Star’s
defenses. It is determined that a
small group of X and Y-wing
fighters will attack it. He closes his speech with,
“And may the Force be with you!” “What good are
snub fighters going to be against that?” asks the
Gold leader. Read Judges 7:1-9. God sets a small
band of people against a huge army. Why? Dodonna
calls upon the Force for deliverance for his small
band of fighters and God only sends a small army.
How does this passage affect your view of
conflict/struggles in your own life?
2- Dodonna details the attack strategy, “You are
required to maneuver straight down this
trench…The target area is only two meters
wide…Only a precise hit will start a chain
reaction.” Wedge Antilles quickly objects, “That’s
impossible, even for a computer.” Luke counters
with, “It’s not impossible.” Read Exodus 6:10-12, 2
Kings 7:1-2 and Luke 9:10-14. In these three passages
someone objects that the task is too difficult or
even impossible. Luke Skywalker has faith and says,
“It’s not impossible.” Anyone can obey God when the
situation is easy. What have you given up on
because it is impossible? Have you given it over to
God?
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3- Right before the rebellion launches their attack,
Luke confronts Han about taking his money and
leaving at such a critical moment. Later Luke and
Leia speak about it and Leia says,
“He’s got to follow his own path.
No one can choose it for him.”
Doing the right thing, doing God’s
will, is a choice. Read Genesis 2:1517. Rather than preventing Adam
from eating the fruit, God gives
Adam a choice. These wrong
choices, though the consequences can be painful,
give us opportunity to grow. Are there poor
choices that you have made that resulted in real
spiritual growth?
4- As the rebellion’s attack squadron closes on the
Death Star, Red Two (Wedge) exclaims, “Look at the
size of that thing.” Read 1 Samuel
17: 23-26. In this scene the Israeli
sees a fearsome giant, but David
sees only a blasphemer. Viewing
situations through God’s eyes
helps us see things as they are. Are
there difficulties in your life that
whose magnitude would change simply by looking at
them through God’s eyes?
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5- Red Leader and his wingmen
streak down the trench of
the Death Star. He takes
careful aim and fires a
proton torpedo. He misses
and is quickly eliminated by Darth Vader. Even
though his situation appears
hopeless, before he is killed he
does not despair. Read Exodus
14:10-14. Compare the Israelite’s
response to Red Leader’s. How
can we better adopt Moses’
advice of “stand firm and see
the deliverance the Lord will
accomplish for you?”
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6- Luke rockets down the Death Star
trench with Darth Vader close on
his tail. Biggs has been killed and
Wedge has been forced to
withdraw. Luke is alone. As Luke
approaches the target area he
hears Ben’s voice, “Use the Force Luke…Let go
Luke…Luke, trust me.” Luke accepts Ben’s advice and
takes down his targeting computer. Read Samuel
17:38-40 and 45-47. David removes Saul’s armor and
sword, claiming that they are more hindrance than
help. He goes to Goliath carrying
only a sling and stones, but more
importantly he goes to him “in the
name of the Lord of hosts.” Have
you ever approached a situation
with nothing but your faith? What
happened?
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Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
May 11 - June 1, 2005
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STAR Wars
SESSION ONE – “Help Me Obi-Wan Kenobi”
Watch the first thirty minutes of Star Wars: The
Empire Strikes Back. Stop the tape or DVD as Luke is
shot down during the Battle of Hoth.
“It is a dark time for the Rebellion.” So begins the
opening story crawl of The Empire Strikes Back. They
are plagued on every side by one misfortune after
another; bounty hunters, missing compatriots, ice
monsters, deadly cold weather, and the nearly
overwhelming power of the Empire led by the merciless
Darth Vader.
As a Christian you will face dark times in your own life:
illness, loss of loved ones, etc. But we have something
that the rebel’s lacked; the knowledge that God is
faithful to his promises. Trusting in Him will give us the
strength we need to move through even that darkest
of times.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – Session 1
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1- The rebellion, relentlessly pursued by Vader and
the Empire, is hiding on the frozen world of Hoth.
after a close call with a bounty hunter on Ord
Mantell, Han Solo tells General Rieekan that he
has to leave: “There’s a price on my head. If I don’t
pay off Jabba the Hutt, I’m a dead man.” Han must
take action to purchase back (redeem) his life from
the crime lord. Read Mark 10-45, Titus 2:14 and
Hebrews 9:12-15. What does scripture say about our
redemption from sin and death? Do you ever feel
you must “do something” to make it happen?
2- Luke Skywalker still has not returned from
patrol and it is getting dark. Han says they he is
going out after him. The deck officer disagrees,
“Sir, the temperature is drooping too rapidly.”
“That’s right and my friend is out in
it.” “Your Tauntaun will freeze
before you reach the first marker.”
“Then I’ll see you in hell!” Han races
out into the frigid night. Read John
15:13 and Romans 5:6-8. We may never
be called to sacrifice our life for
another, but what are some ways that we can
demonstrate true sacrificial love?
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3- After escaping from the Wampa’s cave, Luke falls
face down in the snow. Looking up, he sees a
ghostly image of Ben Kenobi who speaks to him,
“You will go the Dagobah system…There you will
learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master
who instructed me.” Read
Lamentations 3:21-33 and Romans
8:28. Jeremiah spends the first two
chapters of Lamentations describing
the anger of the Lord. 3:21 marks a
turning point – there is hope for
those who submit and wait on the
Lord. Luke is about to freeze to death, yet Ben
uses this critical moment to stress that Luke must
continue learning the ways of the Force. Nothing is
more important. The Lord uses difficult
circumstances to instruct us and draw us closer to
him. Are you letting him or are you focused on the
short-term (when compared to eternity) effect?
4- Four snow speeders race over the blindingly white
landscape. One of the pilots concentrates on his
scopes and speaks into his communicator, “This is
Rogue Two. Captain Solo, do you copy? Commander
Skywalker, do you copy? This is Rogue Two.” “Good
morning. Nice of you guys to drop by.” “Echo Base,
this is Rogue Two. I found them. Repeat, I found
them.” Read Luke 15:3-6 and Ezekiel 34:11-12. The
shepherd and Rogue Two are delighted when what
was lost is found. God’s love for us is so great
that He searches for us and “rejoices” when we are
found. Where did God find you?
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5- The Empire has found the rebels and dispatched
several Star Destroyers to eliminate them. the
Empire’s ships move out of light speed
too close to the system and the
rebels are alerted to their presence.
Vader grows angry at Admiral Ozzel:
“You have failed me for the last time, Admiral.”
Using the Force, Vader crushes Ozzel’s windpipe
while Captain Piett watches in horror. Read
Numbers 14:10-20. Unlike Vader, the Lord can be
relied upon for love, patience, mercy, and
forgiveness. Have you ever not taken something to
the Lord because you thought his reaction would
resemble Vader’s?
6- In response to their superior’s orders, Rebel
troops carry heavy weapons and position
themselves along a snow
trench. All of them work
together and prepare for
the Empire’s imminent
attack. Preparation for
any task is paramount.
Read Ezra 8:21-23 and Nehemiah 4:9. Before
undertaking their endeavors, both Ezra and
Nehemiah started with prayer. When we take time
to put the Lord first, we are preparing for
whatever may be ahead. What are you facing that
you can take to God in serious prayer?
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STAR Wars
SESSION Two – “Adventure. Excitement.
A Jedi craves not these things.”
Pick up watching Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
where you left off.
Stop the tape or DVD as the
Millennium Falcon races out of the mouth of the giant
space slug.
“Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things,”
advises Master Yoda. Growing up on Tatooine, Luke
always desired something exhilarating – flying at high
speeds through Beggar’s Canyon, bulls-eyeing
Whomprats with his T-16, and someday going to the
academy in hopes of joining the rebellion against the
Empire.
Reading about the apostles of the early church, some
Christians may think that life in Christ is constantly
filled with exciting happenings - healings, raising people
from the dead, and converting thousands of people at
once. Faced with an ordinary life, they conclude that
they are spiritually inadequate. Not true. God can do
his greatest work when it appears nothing is happening
and we choose to wait and trust.
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1- Having narrowly escaped the Empire, Luke
Skywalker speeds away from the icy planet. He
makes a sudden sharp turn and flies in a different
direction. Luke’s monitor displays a question from a
concerned R2-D2. Luke replies, “There’s nothing
wrong Artoo. I’m just setting a new course…We’re
not going to regroup with the others…We’re going
to the Dagobah system.” Luke is learning the ways
of the Force, which has put his life on a different
path than all the other members of the rebellion.
Read Matthew 2:11-12. The wise men encounter Christ
and their lives are immediately moved in a different
direction. Are you willing to let God lead you in
whatever direction He chooses?
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2- With the Millennium Falcon’s hyper-drive
malfunctioning, Han Solo, in an
act of desperation, pilots his
ship into the heart of an
asteroid field in order to
escape the Imperial Fleet. He
knows that they’ll get
pulverized if they stay much
longer. He reaches a decision,
“I’m going in closer to one of the big ones.” Read 2
Samuel 22:2-3 and Psalm 31:3-5. Han knows his only
hope for escape is to seek shelter inside a huge
asteroid. It’s risky, but it might work. We can place
our hope in a “rock” as well, But, unlike Han, there
is no risk. God is righteous and he will deliver us.
Do you really trust him? Is there anything that
prevents you from fully trusting him?
3- Inside Vader’s private meditation chamber, Admiral
Piett nervously waits to be addressed by the dark
lord. Vader, his back turned, is seated while a black
insect like droid removes a respirator tube and
replaces it with Vader’s mask. Before it is in place,
Vader’s head, bald and a mass of ugly scar tissue, is
briefly seen. Vader’s mask, besides keeping him alive,
hides his disfigurement. Read 1 Chronicles 28:9 and
Psalm 11:4b-5a. Each of us hides ugliness in our
hearts. God sees the worst parts of us. Does this
fill you with joy or dread? Why? Are there things
that you’ve tried to hide from God?
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4- Luke has crashed his X-wing into a gloomy, mistshrouded swamp on the planet Dagobah. He’s
quickly losing hope that he’ll find the great Yoda
and doubts he ever existed. Luke is soon joined by
a small green creature who,
after rummaging through
Luke’s stuff and laying claim
to a small flashlight, offers
to help him. Luke, deeply
annoyed at this intrusion,
says “I don’t want your help. I
want my lamp back.” Read Nehemiah 2:7-8 and Acts
8:29-31. God has not only placed us in relationship
with Him, but each other as well. We should never
be unwilling to get help from another person,
especially if it is offered. are you more like Luke or
Nehemiah and the Ethiopian Eunich? Why?
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5- The Imperial Fleet has lost track of the Millennium
Falcon. Vader orders them,
despite the tremendous
damage they’ve sustained,
to sweep the asteroid field
until the ship is found.
Admiral Piett then says to
Vader, “Lord Vader…The
Emperor commands you make
contact with him.” Vader
replies “Move the ship out
of the asteroid field so that we can send a clear
transmission.” The Emperor has called and Vader
drops everything to instantly respond. As
Christians, when our Emperor (Jesus) calls, He
expects us to move just as swiftly. Read Luke 9:5962 and Philippians 3:12-14. What have you dropped in
order to focus your effort on reaching the goal
of being all that Christ calls you to be? What do
you still cling to?
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6- The creature takes Luke back to his house and
deliberately wastes his time as a test of Luke’s
character. Luke becomes completely exasperated
with the entire affair. The creature turns out to
be Yoda and declares Luke to be unfit for Jedi
training. “A Jedi must have the deepest commitment,
the most serious mind. This one a long time I have
watched. Never his mind on where he was. What he
was doing…You are reckless.” Luke’s dedication to
his Jedi training is challenged. Read 2 Chronicles
15:14-15, Psalm 37:3-4 and Matthew 16:24-26. A “deep
commitment” to God requires us to entrust
everything (decisions, money, family, our very lives)
to Him and He wants us to enter into this
commitment with the greatest joy. How do you
completely surrender with absolute joy?
31
STAR Wars
SESSION Three – “How am I to know
the good side from the bad?”
Pick up watching Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
where you left off.
Stop the tape or DVD as Lando
Calrissian says, “This deal is getting worse all the
time”.
Luke asks, “How am I to know the good side from the
bad?” Yoda replies, “You will know when you are calm,
at peace.” Luke must bring himself to a state of peace
in order to discern what is good.
As Christians, we give ourselves over to someone who is
good and we are granted peace. Luke can only obtain
this through sheer force of will and we by totally
surrendering ours. The Jedi way is far more difficult.
32
1- Luke runs with Master Yoda strapped
to his back while Yoda instructs on
the dark side of the Force, Luke asks,
“Is the dark side stronger?” Yoda
says, “No. Quicker, easier, more
seductive.” Read Psalm 73. in the first
14 verses, Asaph creates an enviable
picture of a wicked life. He quickly
repents of that line of thinking when he compares
it to the joy of living in communion with the
creator of the universe. What seduces you into
desiring to be of the world and not just in it?
2- Luke enters a dark opening in a tree that,
according to Yoda, contains, “Only what you take
with you.” Once inside, Luke comes face to face with
Darth Vader. The two engage in a quick light saber
battle that Luke wins when he decapitates Vader.
The severed helmet falls to the ground and
explodes revealing the face inside – Luke’s. In that
moment, Luke is forced to confront his dark side –
his sinful nature. Read Luke 7:47. When confronted
with the depths of our own depravity, we could,
like Luke, turn and try to run away Or we could,
like the sinful woman, accept God’s forgiveness and
respond with love. Which do you normally choose
to do?
33
3- Luke fails to raise his X-wing fighter and it sinks
further into the swamp. Luke says, “I can’t. It’s too
big.” Luke reaches that conclusion based on his own
limited abilities, not those of the Force. Read
Numbers 11:21-23. If we truly acknowledge that God’s
power, mercy, and love are without limit, can we
sill doubt? Do we?
4- Yoda rebukes Luke for his unfaithfulness and says,
“Look at me…my ally is in the Force. And a
powerful ally it is…It’s energy
surrounds us and binds us. Luminous
being are we…not this crude
matter.” Yoda puts his full faith in
the Force because it is a powerful
ally. It has bound itself in a
relationship to him and it is the
key to experiencing a glorious
afterlife. Read Psalm 20:6-8,
Exodus 33:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:4044. God’s promise to the faithful
presents a similar picture. Which part of the
promise brings you the most peace/comfort?
34
5- With his arms raised, Yoda stands on a tree root
and guides the floating X-wing fighter carefully
towards the shore. Luke
says, “I don’t... I don’t
believe it.” Yoda replies,
“That is why you fail.”
Yoda’s words are harsh
but fortunately we have
the words of Christ as
our assurance. Read
Matthew 14:28-31. When we
“fail”, what does this
passage show us we can depend on?
6- Luke has a prophetic vision that Han and Leia are in
great danger, so he rushes to leave. Both the
ghostly Ben and Yoda warn against it. “Luke I don’t
want to lose you to the Emperor the way I lost
Vader.” “Only a fully trained Jedi Knight with the
Force as his ally will conquer Vader and his
Emperor. If you end your training now, if you
choose the quick and easy path, as Vader did, you
will become an agent of evil.” Spiritual growth
arises when we are fully committed to advancing
our relationship with God every single day. Read 2
Timothy 3:16, Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2. Meditate on his
word daily, because it is all good and with it we
are able to stand. Have you ever thought, when it
comes to the Lord, I know him well enough?
35
STAR Wars
SESSION Four – “I am your father.”
Watch the final thirty minutes of Star Wars: The
Empire Strikes Back.
In an emotionally gripping moment, Darth Vader reveals
that he is Luke Skywalker’s father.
Luke immediately
declares the statement to be both untrue and
impossible. He rejects Vader and, throwing himself off
a high platform, chooses death.
The entire Old Testament is filled with story after
story of the nation of Israel rejecting their heavenly
Father and choosing death. What is our pattern in our
own walk with the Lord? Do we embrace the idea that
the Lord is our Father or do we choose death?
36
1- Resting in their cell after a long torture session,
the crew of the Millennium Falcon is visited by their
betrayer, Lando Calrissian.
Han, visibly weakened, tries to
attack him but is knocked to
the ground by Lando’s guards.
Lando says, “I’ve done all I can
do. I’m sorry I couldn’t do
better, but I have my own
problems.” Read Genesis 37:2930 and Matthew 25:24-30. Like
Lando, both Reuben and the servant are only
concerned with themselves. This short-sightedness
will keep us from doing God’s will. When a difficult
situation arises, is your first concern yourself?
2- Vader has decided to freeze Han in carbonite as a
test to ensure that the Emperor’s prize (Luke)
won’t be damaged. Realizing what is about to
happen, Chewbacca attacks the stormtroopers. Han
breaks free from his captors and breaks up the
fight. “Stop, Chewie, stop! Do you hear me? Stop!
Chewie! Chewie, this won’t help me.” Read John 18:10-11.
Peter attacks the high priest’s servant to save
Jesus and Jesus rebukes him. Acting rashly or
impulsively often leads us into sin. When we take
the time to pray, God’s plan becomes clearer;
decisions are easier. How can we discipline
ourselves to do this?
37
3- While Lando escorts Leia and Chewie to Vader’s ship,
Lobot and a group of guards ambush the
stormtroopers and free the captives. In the
confusion, Chewie starts to choke Lando and Leia
articulates his rage, “Do you think that after
what you did to Han we’re going to trust you?”
Lando manages to sputter, “I had no choice.” Lando
blames his circumstances for his actions. Read
Genesis 3:11-13, Proverbs 19:3 and James 1:13-15. Blaming
others or even God allows us to avoid
confronting our own sin and remain (at least in
our own minds) innocent. In addition to being
wrong, it is completely unnecessary. If we confess
our sin, God will forgive us. Have you ever felt
that you “had no choice”? Was that true?
4- Luke has flown to Cloud City and is locked in a light
saber battler with Vader in the carbon freezing
chamber. Vader tries to
confuse Luke by saying such
things as, “Release your
anger. Only your hatred
can destroy me.” Vader’s
right. Hatred destroys. But
we worship a God of
infinite mercy who desires
to free us from our hatred
and anger. Read Jonah 3:104:4. Jonah hates the people of Ninevah and runs
when God send him on an errand of mercy to them.
He would rather die than see them forgiven. Do you
hate someone so much that you won’t extend the
love of God to them?
38
5- Vader cuts off Luke’s hand and beats him to his
knees. Then he delivers a devastating emotional
blow when he reveals that he is Luke’s father.
Vader says, “Join me and we can rule the galaxy as
father and son. Come with
me. It’s the only way.” Calm
comes over Luke and he
steps off the platform. The
Dark Lord looks down and
watches Luke fall hundreds
of stories. Luke chooses to
die rather than betray his
friends, his principles, his
very way of life. Read Daniel 3:8-18. Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego choose to be faithful to
God regardless of the consequences. Do you honor
God with the abandonment of your life?
39
6- Luke falls to the undermost part of Cloud City.
Bracing himself against the fierce winds, he clings
to an electronic weather vane. In
desperation he cries out, “Ben. Leia.
Hear me, Leia.”
Read Psalms 4:3
and 17:6. We too,
like Luke, can cry
out when facing our greatest crisis.
It need not be a cry of desperation,
but rather one
that is filled with
confidence that
God is listening
and will answer. Knowing that
He will always respond, not
necessarily in the way you
imagine, does that make prayer easier?
40
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
June 8 - June 29, 2005
41
STAR Wars
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
SESSION ONE – “Bargain Rather Than
Fight. He’s No Jedi.”
Watch the first thirty minutes of Star Wars: Return
of the Jedi. Stop the tape or DVD when Luke Skywalker
steps out on to the plank above the Sarlacc pit.
Bib Fortuna whispers into Jabba the Hutt’s ear about
Luke Skywalker, “Bargain rather than fight. He’s no
Jedi.” Luke shattered preconceived notions of a Jedi by
seeking a peaceful audience rather than bursting into
Jabba’s palace with a blazing light saber.
Jesus Christ did the same thing – He redefined what a
king is. The Israelites were expecting a warrior who
would lead a revolution against their Roman
oppressors. Instead, they got a servant who preached
mercy and love for the enemy. How were your own
expectations challenged when they met God’s perfect
plan?
Episode VI: Return Of the Jedi – Session 1
42
1- Lord Vader arrives at the nearly completed Death
Star and is greeted by Commander Jerjerrod. Vader
tells him that the Emperor is
coming and is most displeased with
the commander’s lack of progress.
Vader also reminds him that the
Emperor is not
forgiving. Afraid of the Emperor’s
response, Jerjerrod immediately
promises to deliver the impossible. Read 1 John 4:719. God loves us. We did nothing to earn it and if we
choose to abide in it, then we may be bold even in
the face of His judgment. What happens when you
are moved to obedience not out of love, but out
of fear?
43
2- On the planet Tatooine, R2-D2 and C-3PO slowly
move up a dry, desolate road towards Jabba the
Hutt’s palace. They come to
a massive metallic door.
Threepio says, “Artoo are
you sure that this is the
right place. I better knock, I
suppose.” He timidly knocks
on the door. “There doesn’t
seem to be anyone there.
Let’s go back and tell Master Luke.” A spidery
mechanical arm with an eye on the end pops out of
the door. Threepio speaks to it briefly. They eye
laughs and zips back into the door. “I don’t think
they’re going to let us in Artoo. We’d better go.”
C-3PO is reluctant to knock and ask, and when the
response isn’t immediate he gives up. Read Matthew
7:7-8, John 14:13-14; 15:7, and 16:23-24. Looking at your
own prayer life, is your approach to God like
scripture instructs or is it more like C-3PO’s
approach to Jabba’s? Why?
3- The two droids deliver Luke Skywalker’s
holographic message to Jabba the Hutt. Much to C3PO’s astonishment, Luke has given both he and R2D2 as tokens of goodwill. “Both are hard working
and will serve you well.” As Threepio is marched
away by a Gamorrean guard, he says, “What could
possibly have come over Master Luke. Is it something
I did? He never expressed any unhappiness with my
work.” Read Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5. No
matter what we do or what circumstances arise in
our lives, God will be there for us. What finally
convinced you of this truth?
44
4- Princess Leia, disguised as the Ubese bounty hunter
Boushh, bursts into Jabba’s palace leading a chained
Chewbacca. She demands double
the bounty offered on the
Wookiee and holds up a small
silver ball that C-3PO identifies
as a thermal detonator. Jabba
laughs and says, “This bounty
hunter is my kind of scum.
Fearless and inventive.” He
offers thirty-five, which the bounty hunter agrees
to. By threatening to kill everyone, Leia/Boushh is
able to get more than the original agreement. Read
Matthew 20:1-15 and Luke 23:40-43. Our reward
(salvation/eternal life) for our years of service
to Christ will be the same as someone who asks
Christ into his heart during the last moments of his
life. There is no way we can increase our portion,
for it is by grace that we are saved. No one
deserves or can earn eternal life. What would it
be like to serve a God that could be bargained
with?
5- Jabba is warned several times that he must free all
of captives or there will be severe consequences.
First by Leia, “We have powerful friends. You’re
going to regret this.” Then three times by Luke, “I’m
taking Captain Solo and his friends. You can either
profit by this or be destroyed! It’s your choice,
but I warn you not to underestimate my powers.” –
“You should have bargained Jabba. That’s the last
mistake you’ll ever make.” – “This is your last
chance: free us or die.” Each time, Jabba ignores the
warning. Read Jonah 3:1-10 and Acts 2:37-38. Unlike
Jabba, the people of Ninevah and the 3000 in
Jerusalem were moved to repentance and asked for
forgiveness. Have you been rebuked and chosen to
ignore it? Why?
45
6- Luke, Han, and Chewbacca are being taken out on a
small skiff to the Dune Sea. There, they will be
thrown into the Sarlacc pit and be slowly
digested over a thousand years. C-3PO steps up to
a microphone on Jabba’s sail barge and says,
“Victims of the almighty Sarlacc. His Excellency
hopes that you will die honorably. But should any
of you wish to beg for mercy, the great Jabba the
Hutt will now listen to your pleas.” It is highly
unlikely Jabba would have had mercy on any of
them. Read Matthew
18:21-35. Because our
sins have been forgiven,
we cannot withhold
forgiveness from others. Is there anyone that you
have refused to forgive? What will you do now?
46
STAR Wars
Episode VI: Return Of the Jedi
SESSION Two – “There’s Still Good In Him.”
Watch the next thirty minutes of Star Wars: Return
of the Jedi. Stop the tape or DVD when Han, Luke, and
Chewie set off into the woods to look for Princess
Leia.
On the nature of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker says,
“There’s still good in him.” Ben Kenobi dismisses that
with, “He’s more machine now than man, twisted and
evil.” Ben feels that there is nothing worth saving and
that the next time Vader and Luke meet, Luke must
destroy him.
How fortunate we are that we serve a God who feels
the way Luke does that we are worth redeeming. Given
the tremendous price Christ paid for our salvation on
the cross, it is wrong to believe that there is anyone
who is beyond the reach of his grace.
Episode V I: Return Of the Je di – Session 2
47
1- Chewbacca reaches over the rail of the capsized
skiff and clings to a dangling Han Solo. Han, still
blind from the carbon freezing, aims a blaster at
the Sarlacc’s tentacle which has ensnared Lando
Calrissian. “It’s alright. Trust me,” Han says. “A
little higher. Just a little higher.” Lando yells these
instructions because he won’t trust his life to
someone who is blind. Read Matthew 15:13-14 and
Galatians 1:6-9. Jesus and Paul warn us not to trust
those who are spiritually blind and would lead us
away from salvation and into a pit. How do you
respond to someone who is in a leadership position
yet spiritually blind?
2- Luke’s X-wing fighter streaks away from Tatooine
in the opposite direction of the Millennium Falcon.
R2-D2, riding in the back, beeps a message to Luke.
“That’s right, Artoo,” Luke replies. “We’re going to
the Dagobah system. I have a promise to keep to an
old friend.” Even though the Rebellion is massing
near Sullust for a final showdown with the Empire,
Luke chooses to keep his commitment to Yoda. Read
John 13:36-38 and Romans 12:3. Peter makes a rash
commitment, one which his lack of faith prevents
from keeping. We are each given a measure of faith
and through it we express our commitment to God.
How do you uniquely demonstrate your
commitment?
48
3- Luke, shaken both by Yoda’s death and the
revelation that Darth Vader is truly his father,
returns to his X-wing fighter.
The ghost of Ben Kenobi
approaches him. Luke makes no
effort to hide his anger. “You
told me Vader betrayed and
murdered my father.” Ben
replies, “Your father was
seduced by the dark side of the Force. He ceased to
Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When
that happened, the good man who was your father
was destroyed.” A great power entered Anakin and
completely transformed him. Read John 1:12-13 and
Romans 7:4. When Christ enters our lives, we become
a new creation, completely transformed. What
area of your life (attitude, motivation, goals, etc.)
has undergone the greatest transformation? What
changed?
4- Ben continues to defend his reasons for not
telling Luke about Vader: “So what I told you was
true…from a certain point of view.” Luke objects,
“A certain point of view!” Ben replies, “Luke you’re
going to find many of the truths we cling to
depend greatly on our own point of view.” Ben
says that truth is based on our own perception,
that it is not absolute. Read Hebrews 13:8. Does
this verse fit with Ben’s understanding of truth?
Does any of scripture fit this model of truth? Why
or why not?
49
5- Luke sits down next to Ben as Ben reveals more
information about Vader’s past. “When I first knew
him, your father was already a great pilot. But I
was amazed how strongly the Force was with him. I
took it upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I thought
I could instruct him just as well as Yoda. I was
wrong.” Ben, acting on the Jedi council’s orders,
placed his apprentice in the office of Chancellor
Palpatine (the Emperor). Palpatine taught Anakin
“new ways” which some considered to be unnatural.
Read Deuteronomy 13:1-11. When “new ways” arise
within the church that are contrary to God’s, we
are to give them no mercy. What issues does the
church face today that threatens to drive it
away from God?
6- The Rebellion’s strike team has landed on the
forest moon of Endor. They are quickly discovered
by the Empire and, consequently, Leia is separated
from the rest of the group. They
start off to look for her, when
C-3PO says to R2-D2, “And you said
it was pretty here.” Despite the
importance of the Rebellion’s
mission, Artoo still takes the time
to notice the beauty surrounding
him. Read Acts 16:22-25 and Psalm
65. Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned, praise
God. They praise God because they know others may
come to Christ because of their example. Knowing
this, will it change how you drive to work? Sit at
your desk? Eat your lunch? What will change?
50
STAR Wars
SESSION Three – “His Compassion For
You Will Be His Undoing.”
Watch the next thirty minutes of Star Wars: Return
of the Jedi. Stop the tape or DVD when the Rebel
Strike Force is captured inside the shield generator’s
control room.
When speaking to Darth Vader about Luke, the Emperor
says, “His compassion for you will be his undoing.” Luke
earnestly believes that there is still good in Vader
and he willing faces excruciating torture at the hands
of the Emperor all because he loves his father.
Jesus endured this for us. “But he was wounded for our
transgressions, crushed for our iniquities.” – Isaiah
53:5. He did this not because He saw good in us, but
because through him we could be good again.
Episode V I: Return Of the Jedi – Session 3
51
1- While searching for Princess Leia, Luke, Han,
Chewbacca, Artoo, and Threepio reach
a break in the undergrowth and come
across a tall stake planted in the
ground with a dead animal hanging
from it. Chewie can’t resist and
reaches for it. Luke yells, “Chewie
wait! Don’t!” Too late. The trap is
released and the rebels find
themselves hanging in a net. “Great,
Chewie! Great! Always thinking with
your stomach.” Though Chewie was warned, he
succumbed to his desire and grabbed the meat. Read
1 Kings 11:1-13. Solomon chose to entertain his
desires. A small detour that went unchallenged for
years eventually would destroy the kingdom. What
“small detours” have you taken from God’s will?
2- After freeing themselves from the net, the Rebels
find themselves surrounded by dozens of Ewoks,
each holding a long spear. When the Ewoks see
Threpio, they prostrate themselves before the
droid in worship. Threepio says, “I do believe they
think I am some sort of god.” Later, the Ewoks
carry Threepio on a litter like a
king. Threepio’s stiff-jointed build
prevents him from being able to climb
the trees on his own and enter the
Ewok village. Read Isaiah 46:1-7 and
Jeremiah 10:1-5. The gods of Babylon
could not save themselves, let alone
any of their followers. They were useless. what
have you put your faith in that became a burden
because it could not save you?
52
3- Han sees opportunity in Threepio’s newly acquired
godhood. “Well, why don’t you use your divine
influence and get us out of this.” Threepio replys,
“I beg your pardon, General Solo, but that just
wouldn’t be proper…It’s against my programming
to impersonate a deity.” Threepio did not use his
power because it was contrary to who he was
made to be. Read Matthew 4:1-11. Satan tempts Jesus
in the wilderness to use his power to change his
circumstances. Jesus refused because it was
contrary to who he was made to be. “The Son of
Man came not to be served, but to serve and give
his life as ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28. Who
did God make you to be?
4- There is great activity in the Ewok village as
Logray and Chief Chirpa direct other Ewoks to pile
firewood under their captives. Threepio is
embarrassed to learn that the rebels are to be
the main course at a banquet in his honor. Threepio
tells Chirpa and Logray that his friends must be
set free. The Ewoks shake their heads and instruct
the others to pile on even more firewood. Though
the Ewoks wish to honor Threepio as their
god/king, they won’t listen to him. Read Samuel 15:123 and Psalm 51:16-17. God desires our unwavering
obedience, not tributes. Have you, like Saul, made a
“big show” of your faith rather than listen? What
happened?
53
5- Inside Chief Chirpa’s hut, the Council of Elders have
gathered to listen to Threepio recount an
abridged version of the Rebels’ adventures
chronicled in the previous two
movies. When Threepio finishes, the
Elders confer and then nod in
agreement. The Chief stands and
makes a pronouncement which
brings all the Ewoks to their
feet. Cheering, Threepio then
says, “Wonderful! We are now part of the tribe.”
Threepio realized the best way for the Ewoks to
understand the Rebels’ cause was to tell their
story. Read Acts 9:1-9, 26-27, 22:1-11 and 26:12-18.
Paul’s story of conversion is told four times in the
book of Acts. The best way we can share our faith
is through our own story. What is your story?
6- Luke, unwilling to join in the Ewok celebration,
walks outside and stares up at the Death Star.
Leia, sensing his distress, joins him. Luke reveals to
her that he has to leave and that if he doesn’t
make it back she is “the only hope for the Alliance.”
She replies, “Luke, don’t talk that way. You have a
power I don’t understand and could never have.”
Luke says, “You’re wrong, Leia. You have that power
too.” Leia looks at her own abilities and feels
inadequate to the task. Read 2 Chronicles 14:9-11
and 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. Both King Asa and Paul
know that, through their own power, they can
accomplish nothing without having faith in God. It is
the same God who calls us not to rely on our own
cleverness or strength, but on Him. He wants to
carry us. What do you try to carry on your own
because you don’t want to “burden” God with it?
54
STAR Wars
SESSION Four – “We Surrender.”
Watch the final thirty minutes of Star Wars: Return
of the Jedi.
C-3PO, who has moved from deity to bait in about ten
minutes, distracts a group of storm troopers in an
effort to save his friends. “Well, they’re on their way,
Artoo. Are you sure this was a good idea?” Threepio
asks. “Freeze! Don’t move!” a storm trooper orders.
Threepio quickly says, “We surrender!” The storm
troopers surround the two droids but are quickly
routed by an Ewok ambush. The victory started with a
declaration of surrender.
Our victory that comes through Christ begins when we
surrender our lives to His will.
55
1- Luke, taken by Darth Vader to the Death Star,
stands before the Emperor. The
Emperor explains that the
Rebellion has fallen
into a trap. Luke’s
friends on Endor
have been captured
and the Rebel Fleet will be quickly
destroyed. Luke, in torment, looks at
his light saber on the arm of the
Emperor’s throne. “You want this don’t you? The
hate is swelling in you…Take your Jedi
weapon…Give in to your anger.” Luke faces a
situation where violently lashing out would
appear to bring a quick and satisfying resolution.
Read Genesis 25:27-34, 27:35-41 and 33:1-4. Esau is
filled with rage over his brother’s duplicitous
actions. He wants to kill him, but God gives Esau
time to reconsider, Time to repent, Time to forgive.
What situations do you face where taking time
would be better than simply reacting? How do you
assure yourself time?
2- Inside the super star destroyer Avenger, Admiral
Piett watches the battle with the Rebellion take
shape. One of his commanders approaches and says,
“We’re in attack position now sir.” The admiral
replies, “Hold here.” One of the admiral’s
subordinates question the order, “We’re not going
to attack?” Piett says, “I have my orders from the
Emperor himself.” Though his orders may not make
sense, the admiral has faith and obeys. Read
Numbers 21:4-9. In order to recover from the
poison, the Israelites must look at the bronze
snake. IT makes no sense but many still choose to
trust and obey. What has God asked you to do
that required a real leap of faith?
56
3- A planet-destroying blast erupts from the Death
Star, obliterating a Rebel heavy cruiser. Admiral
Ackbar calls for a full retreat. Lando says, “You
won’t get another chance at this Admiral.” Ackbar
replies, “We have no choice,
General Calrissian. Our cruisers
can’t repel firepower of that
magnitude.” Lando pleads with
the Admiral, “Han will have that
shield down. We’ve got to give
him more time!” Lando is certain
of victory; he just doesn’t know when. Read Psalm
13. Clearly, David is facing a desperate situation,
but he never doubts the certainty of his
deliverance. What do you doubt? What do you think
God doesn’t have total control over?
4- The Rebels’ battle with the Imperial troops rages
around the bunker. Han desperately works on the
giant door’s control pad while Leia provides cover
fire. Suddenly, she is hit. Han immediately rushes to
her aid. A storm trooper, just a few feet away,
levels a gun at them and shouts, “Freeze! Don’t
move!” Leia shows Han that she
is still armed. Han looks at her
tenderly and says, “I love you.”
Han, finally, is able to respond
to Leia’s love with love. Read 1
John 4:19. As God fills us with His
love, we are able to respond
to Him and others with love.
What was it like the first time
you told God you loved Him?
57
5- Luke has beaten Vader to his knees and slashed off
one of his hands. The Emperor,
delighted with Luke’s aggressive
nature, encourages him to finish
the job. Luke takes a step back
and throws his light saber to the ground. “Never!
I’ll never turn to the dark side. You’ve failed your
highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me.” The
Emperor, for all his power, cannot make Luke come
to the dark side.
Luke must
choose to. Read Job 1:6-12
and 2:1-7. Satan cannot
make Job curse God; he can only create conditions
which make that outcome likely. He can change
circumstances, not hearts. What does that say
about temptation and sin?
58
6- The Death Star is rocked by explosions and
Imperial troops run in all directions, desperate to
escape. In the midst of this chaos, Luke removes the
mask from his father’s face. The
dying man smiles in gratitude and
then orders Luke to leave. Luke
says, “I can’t leave you here, I’ve
got to save you.” His father replies, “You already
have.” Anakin is unconcerned
about his physical
circumstances when compared
to the peace that he now has in his soul. Read John
5:1-15. This man had been crippled for decades yet
Jesus warns him that the consequences of sin are
far worse. How bad could it be?
59
“Star Wars” and all associated characters, logos, and other elements are the
property of Lucasfilm Ltd. “Twentieth Century Fox”, “Fox”, and their associated
logos are the property of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
For more information on “The Gospel According to Star Wars”, other available classes and
ministries, and general church information, please contact:
Covenant-First Presbyterian Church
717 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-621-4144
www.CovFirstChurch.org

The Gospel According To Star Wars - Covenant

Transcription

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