How to Share Your Faith Using City of Ember
In the movie, City of Ember, teenage friends Lina and Doon find themselves at the center of a catastrophe of Armageddon-esque proportion. Their underground glittering city of lights, the "City of Ember," was built to save the human race. But the city's architects designed it to last only 200 years. Time has run out and Ember's power source is fading. The way to escape the coming collapse is a mysterious secret that's been lost for generations.
Lina stumbles across the box that holds the clues to solve the mystery. Enlisting Doon's help, together they race against time to unlock the mystery that could
"lead to the salvation of their city and their fellow citizens."
Like Lina and Doon standing against the darkness, as believers, we too hold the key that can bring light to our world and lead to the salvation and rescue of those around us. Jesus calls us to be a light in a dark world. In Matthew 5:14-16, He puts it this way:
"You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (The Message)
Jesus' way of salvation is not hidden or secret. He came to earth to proclaim His gift of grace to all mankind and He left His followers with the responsibility to share it with everyone! So jump into spiritual conversations with your friends and share the way of escape with them. Here are some ideas to help you get the conversation going:
- In the movie City of Ember, doomsday is imminent. Ask your friends what they believe about the end of the world. Share what you believe about the end of the world centering around Jesus return. For help explaining this, check out these Bible verses:
- The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment (2 Peter 3:9-10).
- For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
- Lina and Doon believe they hold the information needed to save those around them and they are determined to act upon it. Ask your friend if they've ever thought about the salvation message of Christianity in that way-that Jesus' teachings proclaim that the good news of the gospel holds the key to salvation for all mankind. Explain why you feel compelled to share that good news with your friends.
- Ask your friends if they've ever thought of light and darkness as symbols of good and evil in our world. Share from Matthew 5:14-16 what the Bible has to say about light and darkness.
Standing against the darkness is a call Jesus has tasked all believers with, so let your light shine brightly!
