How to Share Your Faith Using You, Me and Dupree
Fun-loving slacker - surely someone comes to mind when you read those words. Everyone knows someone who fits the description: irresponsible but fun loving. When it's time for group homework assignments, they never pull their share, but they have a way of making the homework process a lot more fun. You know the type...they always need to borrow some $$s but are so fun to have around they have to be included as a part of your social world.
Meet Randy Dupree, the immature, irresponsible and fun-loving friend in the comedy film You, Me and Dupree. Molly and Carl Peterson are newly married and excited about their bright, stable future of wedded bliss. But Carl's long-time buddy, Dupree, has lost his job because he took a week off work to be best man for their wedding in Hawaii. Axed from his job with no paycheck, Dupree looses his apartment and his car. Carl and Molly open their home to this homeless friend for "just a couple nights," which soon stretches to weeks. The results of their generosity are a mixture of comic, crude, touching and insightful scenes.
Relational tension between Carl and Molly mounts as Dupree's behavior disrupts their home with fires and floods and assorted other catastrophes. Coupled with Carl's work and in-law related stresses, their marriage is soon struggling. Oddly, it is Dupree's presence and prodding that help the couple find their way and learn to trust and communicate again.
Relationships are never 100% smooth sailing. Whether it's with friends or family, irritants and conflicts arise with predictable frequency. But the Bible challenges us in Hebrews 12:14-15:
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble..."
God makes it clear we are to be grace-givers, practicing forgiveness "just as Christ forgave us." In fact, it is because God has forgiven us that we have the capacity to truly forgive others.
What do you do when the relational rough patches come? Do you stew in resentment? Do you practice avoidance? How about your friends, do they struggle with forgiving others when they've been wronged? Outrage might feel great in the short-term and resentment might seem totally justified, but over time it eats away at you. When God tells us to avoid bitterness - he knows what he's talking about!
Try using You, Me and Dupree as a springboard for talking about what God has done in your life to help you work through the relational rough spots you face with your friends and family. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Talk about what your natural reaction is to handling tough relational stuff.
- Do you stew?
- Do you avoid?
- Do you confront in anger?
- Then talk about how you think you should handle it. Share how God's forgiveness in your life has helped you forgive others.
- Trust is foundational in any relationship. Ask your friends if it is hard or easy for them to trust others?
- Why is that?
- Do they trust God?
- Share what you believe.
- If you were Molly and Carl, would have let Dupree move in?
- Would your generosity have limits?
- Consider using the scene in You, Me and Dupree where Molly makes Dupree throw out his stash of porn to talk about your values. You may want to tackle the issue of porn and the destructive role it plays in people's lives. Share how your commitment to God influences how you determine what's right and wrong and your behavior choices in this area of your life.
Imagine you've graduated and are out on your own when your suddenly-homeless slacker friend needs a place to stay?!? What would you do? Sharing your home with friends can be a good thing. Sharing the Good News with them can be an even better thing!
