Viewing Guide for The Passion of The Christ for Those Who Work With Youth
by Susan Hay

(A suggested pre- and post-viewing guide for "The Passion of The Christ")

Planning Ahead

If at all possible, go see The Passion of The Christ before taking your youth group to see it. If you have seen the movie, then you are well aware this is not what one would call a "date" movie. It is a graphic, brutal, and potentially disturbing movie. Those who work with youth need to have some idea beforehand about questions that may arise from youth seeing the film.

As you plan for your pre-movie discussion, spend time studying, reading, and reflecting on the Passion story in the Bible. You may wish to choose only one of the gospels for this time of study, reflection, and reading.

In Matthew, the Passion story begins at chapter 26, verse 36.

In Mark, the Passion story begins at chapter 14, verse 32.

In Luke, the Passion story begins at chapter 22, verse 40.

In John, the Passion story begins at chapter 18, verse 1.

As part of your study, consult the New Interpreter's Bible or another commentary to understand the historical setting of Jesus' day and the political upheaval that Jesus is causes among the "religious" and the government. As a part of your reading and reflection, spend time in prayer seeking God's word for you in this story and seeking God's wisdom in opening ways for you to engage your youth in this story.

When you do take your group to see The Passion of The Christ, go with more than one adult in case a youth needs to leave the theater for whatever reason.

Pre-Viewing Suggestions

Suggestion 1:
Watch the Passion scenes in one of the following movies: Jesus of Nazareth, The Gospel According to Matthew, or the new movie, The Gospel of John

Discuss:

• Which scenes or moments in the movie are most memorable?
• Which scenes in the movie were difficult to watch?
• How do you feel when you think about Jesus' death? (There are no wrong answers.)
  • Amazed
  • Grateful
  • Doubtful
  • Guilty
  • Loved
  • Uncomfortable
• How have we continued to participate in the suffering or passion of Christ?
  • "Don't rock the boat" attitude
  • Prejudices
  • Gossip
  • Dissing someone
  • (add your own)
• How in the church's celebration of the good news do we remember and participate in Jesus' passion?
  • Palm/Passion Sunday
  • Holy Week
  • Maundy or Holy Thursday
  • Good Friday
  • Easter
  
  You might read the Passion story here interspersed with hymns and songs.
• For you, is the cross (mark all that apply)
  • A symbol of a tremendous sacrifice?
  • A sign of hope?
  • A piece of jewelry?
  • Something else?
• What does it mean that Christians are a Resurrection people?

Suggestion 2:
Read selected verses from all of the gospel Passion narratives. (Don't rush through the reading. Allow time for the words to soak in.) If you have graphic projection capabilities, you might project works of art to give a visual dimension to the reading.

Discuss: "What strikes you most about these verses? Explain . . ."

• Jesus in Gethsemane
• The betrayal with a kiss
• Jesus taken captive
• Peter's denial
• Death of Judas
• Trial before Pilate
• Jesus before Herod
• The Sentence of Death
• The Mocking
• The Road to Golgotha
• The Crucifixion
• Death on the Cross
• Burial
• Empty Tomb

Give a brief overview of all the characters who appear in the Passion story: Caiaphas, Sanhedrin, Temple Guards, Herod, Pilate, Claudia, Peter, Judas, John, Mary (mother of Jesus), Barabbas, Simon, Mary Magdalene, two thieves. Discuss the role of the Jewish authorities and Roman authorities in Jesus' time.

Help the youth to understand the political reasons that Jesus was creating such an uproar among the Jewish and Roman authorities. (Suggested Scriptures: Matthew 21:23-27; Matthew 23:1-36; Luke 23:1-12.)

What does passion mean to you? Do you possess a sacrificial passion for something?

Suggestion 3:
You may want to use program ideas from Destination Easter: Lenten Programs & Practices for Youth (Abingdon Press ISBN 06870028). For a description of the contents, go to www.ileadyouth.com.

Post-Viewing Suggestions

Realize that not everyone will want to process this movie the same way. Some, upon seeing it, will want to have quiet reflective time; while others may start talking before they are out of the theater. Still others may be filled with questions they want answered immediately. Make sure that you have a plan in mind for the variety of responses that people will be experiencing. Be sensitive to the youth in the group who may not want to discuss the movie at all and will need to be followed up with in a day or two.

Wherever you take the youth group to talk about the movie afterward, have journals available for the youth to write about what they are feeling. Invite the youth to write or draw or use whatever creative outlet that will allow them to reflect on all that is welling within them. Don't rush. Allow adequate time for the youth to express in writing or art what is stirring in them. Invite the youth to share what they have written. (You might also encourage the youth to use their journals throughout the Lenten season to reflect on The Passion of The Christ. Then each time you gather during Lent, ask the youth to share what they are experiencing and learning through their journaling on the passion of Christ.) Discuss with the youth:

• What were your thoughts about us going to see this movie?
• What feelings/emotions did you have before we got there? As the movie started? At the end?
• What scenes or moments in the movie are most memorable?
• What scenes in the movie did you find most difficult to watch?
• What sounds in the movie made you want to cover your ears?
• How have you encountered the reality of Jesus' death through this movie?
• What for you is the message of this movie?
  • Truly, this man was God's son.
  • Jesus' death was a result of human sin, and all of us are responsible.
  • God loves me more than I ever imagined.
  • Other responses?
• Has your definition of passion changed since seeing this film?
• Do you think you will live differently now that you have seen this movie? If so, how?

Choose an appropriate way for your group to conclude this discussion. You might want to encourage a time of quiet renewal or faith and belief in Jesus Christ as Savior. Or you might ask everyone to light a candle to symbolize a new or renewed commitment to Christ. Whatever you do to close, allow it to be an exercise in which all present have the sense that they are God's beloved and that nothing they do will ever change that! Remind them that God loves them as they are, where they are, and for who they are!

Blessings on you and your ministry with youth.

Susan Hay (shay@gbod.org) is the Director of Ministries with Youth for the General Board of Discipleship.

For more articles addressing The Passion of The Christ, please visit www.gbod.org/passion.

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