How to Share Your Faith Using Evan Almighty
Remember Bruce Almighty? Well, Bruce's main news rival, the smug, obnoxious Evan Baxter, is back on theatre screens this summer and about to have a truly life-changing experience with God.
Just elected to Congress, Evan Baxter is moving his family to DC. His wife and three sons are just settling in to their new home, when Evan casually offers up a prayer to God - asking for God's help as he seeks to 'change the world' in his new, self-important role as Congressman. But instead of using Evan's new status as a mover and shaker in the halls of Congress, God (once again played by Morgan Freeman) has other, more amusing plans for Evan.
Self-absorbed Evan's life turns chaotic. But his marching orders from God are clear: build an ark. These orders come complete with Ark Building for Dummies, and are followed by a growing collection of pairs of animals invading the wooded hills around his house. Through it all, God has plenty of lessons in store for Evan as husband, father and Congressman, including how to change the world for the better through random acts of kindness.
The God focus of Evan Almighty makes it a natural for turning your conversations with friends toward God-talk. So jump in and initiate conversations that will challenge your friends to think about what God is really like. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- How do you think you would have reacted to God's directions if you were Evan?
- Ask your friends if they've ever experienced God's prompting in their life? Describe a time in your life when obeying God made you different, odd, or uncool?
- Do you think 'random acts of kindness' can really change the world? Let your friends know what you believe about how a relationship with Jesus changes the world one heart at a time.
- Do you think God is actually like the Morgan Freeman character in this movie? How is he similar? How is he different? Share what you believe about God's character. For help with this, check out the Soul Fuel article I Googled God.
- Do you believe God wants us to be in a real and personal relationship with him on a daily basis? Share from your experience what a relationship with God is like. Explain to your friends the 'G' part of the GOSPEL Journey - "God created us to be with him." Then ask if you can share the rest of the GOSPEL Journey!
Consider helping your Youth Leader organize a Service Project where you can perform simple 'random acts of kindness', using them tell others about God's love and truth. Invite your unreached friends to join you! You never know what doors your kindness might open for sharing the Good News with others.
