PG-13
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Introduction

ANTWONE FISHER is the story of a man who digs inside himself to discover therein
lies a king...

A sailor with an explosive attitude, Fisher (Derek Luke) is ordered to see a naval psychiatrist (Denzel Washington) about his volatile temper. Little did he know that his first step into the doctor’s office would lead him on a journey home.

With the support of the doctor, who becomes more like a father than anyone Fisher has ever known, and the woman (Joy Bryant) from whom he learns how to love, Fisher finds the courage to stop fighting and start healing. Only then can he call on the family he never knew and come to terms with the one he knew all too well.

(From the Fox Searchlight Pictures’ Web-based promotional material, at www.foxsearchlight.com/antwonefisher.)

This is a great film to use to begin exploring connections between the family of God and our own families. As you use this film, pay special attention to the reactions from the youth viewing the film, as the themes in Antwone Fisher may bring up issues related to their own family life. I’d recommend viewing the film before showing it to your group, and even consider finding something different if the themes found here would be too much for some individuals.

Unconditional love

Antwone Fisher is about separation, repentance, reconciliation, and acceptance. But most of all, the story of Antwone Fisher is about unconditional love. The film is bookended by unconditional acceptance: at the beginning in the dream of a feast in the barn, and at the end with a feast in his family’s house.

• How important is sharing food to the creation of a family?
• How often does your family share meals together?
• What do you notice that’s different when you share a meal with a friend’s family?
• Is a feast on special occasions (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July, Birthdays, etc.) different from regular meals? Why, or why not?

Read the account of the Last Supper—Matthew 26:17-30

• The Passover is a feast of celebration. What are they celebrating? Why is this meal significant? (for insight, see Exodus 12)
• How is the Sunday morning feast (the Eucharist) different from regular meals with your family?
• How is the Eucharist similar to other meals?

In one of his therapy sessions, after Antwone shared about his childhood, and while he’s trying to find someone to blame, Dr. Davenport points out: “This is not about them—this is about you.”

• What point is he trying to make?
• How often do we take responsibility for our own situation? How often do we blame others (like friends, classmates, parents), or even ‘the system’?

Read Matthew 25:31-46 and Luke 18:18-25

• What do these say about people taking responsibility for their own situation? How does this relate to your life?

How well is Antwone accepted by others in the film?

• By his crewmates on the ship?
• By Dr. Davenport?
• By Cheryl?
• By Berta Davenport?
• By the rest of Dr. Davenport’s family?
• By the Tate family, when he’s young?
• Mrs. Tate, when he goes back?
• By his mother?
• By his father’s family?

At one point, Antwone asks Dr. Davenport, “Why do I have to forgive?” Before remembering the answer in the film, have the group answer the question “Why do we have to forgive?”

• Is this related to the question, “Why do we love?” (see 1 John 4:16b-21, especially v. 19)
• Dr. Davenport’s answer is, “To free yourself, so you can get on with your life.” In your opinion, is this accurate?
• It’s important for the forgiven person, but how important is forgiveness for the forgiver?
• Tell about a time you’ve held a grudge, or held something against someone. What happened to you when you let that thing go?

Antwone’s reality is not what he expected. He had elevated his mother, thinking she was worth knowing, and had demonized his father.

• How is the reality he discovers at the end of the film different from the reality he’d constructed in his head?

As you think about the welcome into his father’s family, remember the phrase, “It doesn’t matter who you are—we know who your father was.”

• How have you been welcomed?
• How have you been allowed in but not welcomed? What’s the difference?
• What if in church we remembered the phrase, “It doesn’t matter who you are. We know who your Father is.” Would anything in your congregation change? Would anything in your youth group change?

Read Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50

• According to each of these parables, what is the kingdom of heaven like?
• Finish the parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like Antwone Fisher…”

Ultimately, this film is about unconditional love, and that it’s sometimes a bit of a struggle to accept that kind of love.

• How can you help your church community become a place where people can experience God’s unconditional love?

Closing prayer

God of grace and mercy, create in us thankful hearts for the unconditional love you have shown to us through your son, Jesus Christ. Teach us to be forgiving and loving of all people, even when it is the last thing we want to do. Help us to see the opportunities for being a witness of your love and grace each and every day. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen

As with anything, feel free to adapt this guide to your own situation. Enjoy the film, enjoy the discussion, enjoy one another. And remember, the first word and the last word is always, “God loves you.”