Because of Grácia: A Film and Faith Conversation Guide

By Chris Friesen and Michelle Simes

The Because of Grácia Film and Faith Conversation Guide is a different kind of resource from most movie discussion guides, and it's different from most bible studies. It's a 45-day experience to spark conversations on the challenges students face every day as Christians.  Based on the themes of Because of Grácia, each

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dexterity
• Release date: Aug 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781947297036

Chris Friesen

A teacher and pastor by profession and a songwriter and storyteller on the side, Chris Friesen holds a master's degree in theology from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary at Fresno Pacific University and has worked for years in youth, young adult, and children's ministry, from the Canadian boreal forest to the inner city. He resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on the Canadian prairies, where he makes music with his wife and six children in the Friesen Family Band.

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Dexterity, LLC 604 Magnolia Lane Nashville, TN 37211

Copyright © 2017

All rights reserved. Except as permitted by the US Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission from the publisher. For information, please contact [e-mail].

The author gratefully acknowledges the photography of Nick Arnold and Five Stones Films for making available much of the photography/still shots used in the publication of this work. All rights reserved to Nick Arnold/Five Stones Films. Further and additional use requires permission of the copyright holder: Five Stones Films. All works of Nick Arnold under hire by Five Stones Films are works made for hire and are the exclusive property of Five Stones Films. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-947297-02-9 (trade paper) ISBN: 978-1-947297-03-6 (ebook)

eBook Design by Brian Kannard. Print book design by Sarah Siegand Designs and Brian Kannard. Cover design by Trent Design, Inc.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Because of his great love for us,God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians2:4–5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Publication Information

Opening Quote

Message from the Stars: Chris Massoglia

Message from the Stars: Moriah Peters

Introduction

Theme I: Practicing Friendship

Theme I Conversation 1: Why Do We Fall in Love?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Day 1 Week 1

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Think it Over

Pray it Forward

Listen Up

Day 2 Week 2

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Play it Over

Ask a Mentor

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 1

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Think it Over

Dream it Up

Day 4 Week 1

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

MEME-orize It

Day 5 Week 1

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Think it Over

Pray it Forward

Theme I Coversation 1: What About Our Bodies?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Carry it Out

Day 1 Week 2

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 2 Week 2

Read the Word

Think it Over

Ask a Mentor

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 2

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Day 4 Week 2

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 5 Week 2

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Listen Up

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Theme I Conversation 3: How Do You Grow in True Friendship?

Reel to Real

How to Play Double Double

Engage the Word

Day 1 Week 3

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Play it Over

Day 2 Week 3

Read the Word

Ask a Mentor

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 3

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 4 Week 3

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 5 Week 3

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Listen Up

Think it Over

Pray it Forward

Theme II: Choosing Life

Theme II Conversation 2: Why Am I Here?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Day 1 Week 4

Read the Word

Talk it Over

MEME-orize it

Listen Up

Pray it Forward

Day 2 Week 4

Read the Word

Play it Forward

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 4

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Play it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 4 Week 4

Read the Word

Talk it Over

MEME-orize it

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Day 5 Week 4

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Ask a Mentor

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Theme II Conversation 2: What Should I Do?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Day 1 Week 5

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Look it Up

Pray it Forward

Day 2 Week 5

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Ask a Mentor

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 5

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Day 4 Week 5

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Think it Over

Pray it Foward

Day 5 Week 5

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Theme II Conversation 3: How Can I Help?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Carry it Out

Day 1 Week 6

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Day 2 Week 6

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 6

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Tell it Over

Pray it Over

Day 4 Week 6

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Pray it Over

Think it Over

Try it Out

Day 5 Week 6

Read the Word

Play it Over

Talk it Over

Ask a Mentor

Pray it Forward

Theme III: Voicing Faith

Theme III Conversation 1: Why Do We Hide?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Carry it Out

Day 1 Week 7

Read the Word

Listen Up

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 2 Week 7

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 7

Read the Word

Listen Up

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 4 Week 7

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Ask a Mentor

Pray it Forward

Day 5 Week 7

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Theme III Conversation 2: What is a Witness?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Day 1 Week 8

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Day 2 Week 8

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Listen Up

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 8

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 4 Week 8

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Dream it Up

Pray it Foward

Day 5 Week 8

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Theme III Conversation 3: Will Anyone Listen?

Reel to Real

Engage the Word

Carry it Out

Day 1 Week 9

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Dream it Up

Pray it Forward

Day 2 Week 9

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Try it Out

Pray it Forward

Day 3 Week 9

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Ask a Mentor

Pray it

Day 4 Week 9

Read the Word

Talk it Over

Pray it Forward

Day 5 Week 9

Read the Word

Think it Over

Talk it Over

Try it Out

MEME-orize it

Pray it Forward

About the Authors

A MESSAGE FROM THE STARS OF

BECAUSE OF GRÁCIA

CHRIS MASSOGLIA

Chase Morgan

Chris_Massoglia_INTRO

Hello everyone! I play Chase Morgan in Because of Grácia, and I wanted to say thank you for checking out our student conversation guide. If you enjoyed the movie, I know you’ll enjoy studying the themes within this book. For me, I’ve always felt certain topics should have been discussed more in my circles. I always had (and still have) questions regarding romantic relationships, how to relate to members of the opposite sex, and how to build my faith and follow Jesus better. I pray that as you go through these pages, your relationship with God will grow and you will be better equipped for life and for love.

As you work through this conversation guide, remember to listen to those who are older, wiser, and have a little more experience under their belts. As young people, we often want to find our own way; but I’ve been saved from so many bad decisions because I chose to listen to wisdom.

I also hope you can build closer relationships with the friends you discuss these important issues with. Don’t be afraid to dive in and really share openly and honestly when you discuss each topic. Who knows the strength of the relationships that will be built out of this time?

Finally, I want to encourage you to rely on God’s Word as your foundation. At the end of the day, we need to seek Jesus—through his words and his Spirit—to find the truth for every issue or life dilemma.

Be blessed and highly favored as you study on!

Peace,

Chris Massoglia

MORIAH PETERS

Grácia Davis

Moriah_Peters_INTRO

Hello, and welcome to a world of discussion about the film Because of Grácia. I play the role of Grácia Davis in the movie, a strong but complicated girl who’s trying to live authentically. If you’re reading this conversation guide, you’re most likely trying to do something similar.

The practice of being guided through a thought process and challenged to ask difficult questions is something that has always helped me find a balanced perspective. As I recently read through the following pages you’re about to encounter, I paused every so often to think carefully about what I was receiving. Give yourself the same space. As with any curriculum, the discussions here were designed to open your mind past the pages and off the screen.

We live in a culture where we are told quite loudly what to stand for and when to keep quiet. Challenging that worldly status quo happens to be one of my favorite things to do, and though I’ve gotten myself into trouble in the past, the biggest thing I’ve learned when it comes to the great question of why? is this: It’s not only okay to ask, but it’s good not to know all the answers. We weren’t created for comfort, and we often meet God in the tension.

So, lean into the unknown. Take these conversations to the classroom and your friends and