Movie Small Group Discussion Questions
To Save A Life
Movie Summary:
Jake Taylor has everything. He has a beautiful girl, he's the champion in basketball and beer pong, and everyone loves him. Then, an old childhood friend, whom Jake used to be friends with, commits suicide. Jake begins to think. He wonders what he could've done to save his friend's life. A youth minister tells him that Jake needs God. So Jake becomes a Christian. However, things begin to spin out of control. His dad is cheating on his mom, his girlfriend is pregnant, and his former friends ridicule and mock him. During all this, Jake is going to realize just what it means to be a Christian and how, to save a life.
Discussion Questions:
Prior to meeting in your small groups, select a couple questions from the list below to discuss with your group.
· Who in the movie was best at seeing people for who they really are? Who are one or two people you might be misjudging by only looking at their outside?
· Remember when Chris picked Jake up from the party and they talked about what they wished they would have done to help Roger in time? Do you struggle with any regrets? How do you think you get free from them?
· Do you know anybody like Chris—someone older who listens and tries to help? Who do you usually talk to about problems?
· That took guts when Jake started eating lunch with Jonny. Who do you know who you could reach out to like that? What do you think would happen at your school?
· That was an awesome movie. How much the same or different was it from your school? In what ways?
· That was kind of intense when Jake went off on Jonny when his own problems got overwhelming. What do you do when you get stressed out? How do you handle it when your problems feel too big?
· It was cool how Jake stood up for Jonny when he was getting arrested. Has anyone ever stood up for you like that? Have you ever stood up for anyone else like that?
· What do you think was the main message of the movie? What are one or two little things you can do at school that might actually help save someone’s life? For who?
· What did you think of the movie? What was your favorite scene? Why?
· Have you ever felt like Amy—like all you do is try to get people to like you? What are some ways you hide who you really are? Why?
· Do you know anyone who cuts? Why do you think they do it? What are some better alternatives to handling pain and problems?
· Have you ever been in a really dark place like Roger? Did you talk with an adult to get help? Do you need to?
· What keeps us from reaching out to people who don’t look like us? Who at school is like Roger or Jonny? Who could you reach out to?
· The movie dealt with a lot of issues, like suicide, cutting, sex, drinking, teen pregnancy, depression, God. What do you think is the biggest problem for teens? Why? What’s one thing you can do about it?
· Staying popular was Amy’s top priority for most of the movie. Have you ever pretended to be someone or something you’re not? What did you pretend and why?
· Roger’s life was so sad. Have you ever felt that bad? On a scale of 1 to 10, how lonely or isolated have you felt lately?
· What would you have done if you were at the party where they all laughed at Jonny? What’s one thing you can do to reach out to someone like that at your school?