How to Share Your Faith Using End of the Spear
Based on a true story, the movie End of the Spear relates the tragic, dramatic and ultimately transforming events surrounding the death of five American missionaries in the remote rainforests of Ecuador. Told from the perspective of the Waodani tribe, the most violent society ever documented by anthropologists, the movie depicts the events that lead to the death of Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully and Roger Youderian.
After the killings, two women from the violent tribe come out of the jungle. As a result of contact with these women, relatives of the martyred men are forced to wrestle with their fear, their faith and ultimately their forgiveness as they choose to reach out and dare to make contact with the violent tribe that speared their loved ones to death. End of the Spear does an incredible job of showing the transforming power of faith and courage in the midst of unimaginable tragedy.
Experiencing this movie should challenge you to consider what risks you would willingly undertake to share the message of the gospel. Many of us find it daunting just to invite the potential displeasure of our friends if we mention God too often- so it may be nearly impossible to imagine risking our very lives for the opportunity to share about Jesus...but that's what God is calling us to do. It takes a passionate, total commitment to God and his purposes in our world to motivate us to this level, but it can be done. We need to be like the Apostle Paul characterizes this willingness to sacrifice his very life in Philippians 3:8:
"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, for whose sake I have lost all things."
Are you passionate about knowing Jesus and helping the world around you know him too? Are you so passionate that you would be willing to give your life? If so, then what's the big deal about taking a little ridicule?
End of the Spear also challenges us to reflect on the power of forgiveness. In 1 Corinthians 13:5 we read, "real love keeps no record of wrongs"...and God definitely calls us to real love. The movie gives us a glimpse of how this actually works in God's power, transforming enemies into real friends.
Whether your friends go see this movie or not, it can be great vehicle for opening up some spiritual discussions. Try some of these questions:
- Ask your friends what risks they would willingly undertake to accomplish something they were deeply committed to? Or in straight up terms, is there anything you would be willing to give your life for?
- If someone murdered your father, can you imagine being able to forgive them?
- Find out if your friends have ever experienced the power of forgiveness? Is it hard for them to forgive others? Why do they think that is? This may be a great opportunity to share about God's forgiveness. For help with this, check out the GOSPEL Journey.
When the producers of this movie initially heard Steve Saint's story and began to explore the possibility of turning this story into a movie, they asked the Waodani tribe for permission to tell the story. The Indians' response was, "No" - they would not agree to the filming. Then Steve Saint relayed what was at that time, the recent events of the Columbine school shooting tragedy, where teens had killed others that they didn't even know. The Columbine story had an "electrifying effect" on the Waodani and they soon agreed to the filming in the hope that their story would help others in North America stop living in hatred and killing others for no reason.
While your story may not be as dramatic as End of the Spear, you may never know what impact your willingness to reach out to others will have on your friends and your world. Don't miss the chance to tell your story of how God has changed your life. Make time to talk to your friends about Jesus - whatever it costs you. Better yet, invite your friends to go see the movie with you - because all that will cost you is a few bucks and a few hours...wouldn't that be worth it for them to hear the gospel?
