PG-13
MGM Home Entertainment

Introduction

This movie has received positive reviews from the secular community and mixed reviews from the Christian community. Saved takes a satirical look at extreme Christianity and the separatism that sometimes occurs between secular and Christian communities. At many times in the movie, extreme Christian views are made fun of and pushed to the limits. Please be sure to preview this movie before showing it to your youth group. It can be a great tool for discussions on hypocrisy, evangelism, forgiveness, acceptance of others, and grace.

The movie takes place at American Eagle High School, a fictitious private Christian school in Colorado. The “good girls,” Mary (played by Jena Malone) and her best friend Hillary Faye (played by Mandy Moore), run the school and call themselves the Christian Jewels—a very influential clique!

Mary hits her head in a pool and believes that she has seen a vision of Christ telling her to sleep with her boyfriend Dean to save him from homosexuality. In spite Mary’s vision and intentions, Dean gets sent away to Mercy House to be ‘cured’ of his homosexuality and Mary becomes pregnant. In order to hide her pregnancy from the Christian Jewels, she withdraws from the group and finds friendship in a pair of outsiders.

 Opening questions

1. How welcoming is our youth group or congregations to outsiders or people who don’t fit a certain stereotype or expectation we may hold? What about people who make us feel uneasy?
2. What efforts do we make to invite others?
3. How do the actions and behaviors of Christians make a difference to non-Christians’ views of Christ?

Discussion and Bible study

1. In the beginning of the movie, Mary’s father dies and she is told it is God’s will. A running theme through the movie is the discussion of “free will” versus “God’s plan.” Read and discuss the differences between Romans 8:28-30 and Joshua 24:15.
   • Ask youth if they believe in free will or predestination.
   • What are the benefits or consequences of each?
2. The Christian Jewels try to perform an exorcism on Mary when she loses interest in the group. Mary replies that the Bible is not a weapon.
   • What does she mean?
   • How is the Bible used as a weapon today?
3. Around Christmas time, Cassandra lets on that she knows about Mary’s pregnancy. In a conversation they have in the women’s restroom she tells Mary, “You cannot do this on your own.” Then listens and holds Mary as she cries and tells her she’s not stupid. Cassandra is the least likely person to show Mary kindness.
   • Read Luke 10: 25-37, the story of the Good Samaritan, and ask who
     is Mary’s neighbor.
   • How can you reach out and be the least likely person to others?
4. Throughout the movie, Hillary Faye tries to convert Cassandra (a Jew) to Christianity. When talking about the Jewish faith she refers to Jews as “you people.”
   • What is the danger in this?
   • Have you ever tried to invite someone to church or a relationship with Christ?
   • Read the accounts of early conversions in Acts 10:34-43 and discuss how your youth group can be more open to people of other faiths or non-believers.
5. Hillary Faye’s hypocrisy is evident in the movie.
   • What are some examples of her hypocrisy?

   Activity: Have each person make a "T" with their body for True, and an "F" for False in response to the following statements. Discuss the reactions.

   • Christians should listen to different music than non-Christians.
   • Christians should talk differently than non-Christians.
   • Christians should dress differently than non-Christians.
   • A Christian’s values should be basically the same as non-Christians.
   • It is impossible to be a true Christian.
   • Teenagers are more hypocritical than adults.
   • All people are hypocrites in some way.
   • People aren’t as hypocritical as they used to be.

   • Talk about the differences of opinion that were shown within your group. (Leader note: This calls for an atmosphere and commitment to respect for each other, listening, and understanding.)
   • Read Matthew 23: 23-36 and ask youth about their own struggles
     with hypocrisy.

6. Pastor Skip tells Mary’s mother that God is punishing them for their sins (their relationship) through Mary’s pregnancy.
   • Do you believe God punishes people for their sins in this way? Why or why not?
7. At the end of the movie they talk about the Bible being black and white or gray. Mary says “So everything that doesn’t fit into some stupid idea of what you think God wants you just try to hide or fix or get rid of. It’s all just too much to live up to.”
   • What modern issues seem to fall into the gray area to you? What seems black and white? (Examples: homosexuality, war, co-habitation, drinking, premarital sex, needing to be saved, individuality and success, etc.) (Leader note: Again, this calls for an atmosphere and commitment to respect for each other, listening, and understanding. Don’t push people to share or to reach a consensus. Use the energy and opinions from this discussion as springboards for future discussions and Bible studies.)
8. At the end of the movie Hillary asks Roland if he thinks God still loves her.
   • What do you think and why?
9. In the last line of the movie Mary talks about trying to figure out Jesus together.
   • Who do you have in your life to help you figure Jesus out?
   • Are you helping anyone on their path?

Closing prayer

Be sure to close in prayer and follow up with any situations that seem to call for
care and support.

Peace in your ministry!