Ep 42: Ethics and Leadership in Ender’s Game
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
Release Date: 11/23/2024
Ep 53 Part 2: Mentorship and Media
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In this second and final part of our series on building story skills, we share how building trust is essential if we want the next generation to really hear us. We talk about the importance of aligning with a child or student’s goals instead of forcing our own agenda. We reflect on how curiosity and asking questions can open hearts more effectively than giving lectures. We admit that owning our mistakes and showing humility often strengthens relationships far more than trying to appear perfect. Finally, we encourage listeners that connection doesn’t require liking the same movies,...
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Ep 53 Part 1: Building a Bible Base
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
We kick off this series on building story skills, by talking about why every Christian needs a solid Bible Base to navigate today’s endless stream of media. We explain how building a “Bible Bank” equips us to filter TikToks, movies, and shows through the lens of scripture. We walk through Bloom’s Taxonomy, showing how we can move from just remembering a story to analyzing and even creating new ideas from what we watch. We share how seeing God as the emotional hero of the ultimate story changes the way we empathize with flawed characters. Finally, we get personal with stories about how...
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Ep 52 Part 3: God’s Purposes and The Invention of Lying
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In this final part of our discussion on The Invention of Lying, we explore how Scripture addresses the complexity of truth and deception. We reflect on the story of Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus 1, where the Hebrew midwives lied to Pharaoh to save innocent lives and were blessed by God for their fear of Him. We wrestle with the difference between selfish lies and life-preserving ones that align with God’s heart and covenant purposes. Our conversation broadens to other biblical examples, highlighting that God’s plans can work even through human deception. Ultimately, we conclude that our...
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Ep 52 Part 2: Is Storytelling... Lying?
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In this episode, we explore how The Invention of Lying sparks meaningful conversations about honesty, kindness, and faith. We discuss why the film is generous to atheists and how it can open doors for evangelistic conversations with teens and families. We wrestle with the difference between storytelling and lying, considering whether parables or films mislead or simply inspire. We also share practical ways to speak the truth with both candor and kindness when navigating tough conversations about sin and belief. Finally, we tackle self-deception, offering a four-step path to honesty that...
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Ep 52 Part 1: The Cost of Honesty in The Invention of Lying
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In part one of our discussion on The Invention of Lying, we take a look at Ricky Gervais’s satirical world where no one has ever lied until Mark Bellison discovers how. We walk through Mark’s journey from a failing screenwriter to the accidental prophet of the “Man in the Sky,” exploring how his lies bring both comfort and chaos. We reflect on the tension between truth and kindness, asking if brutal honesty is any more virtuous than compassionate deception. Our conversation dives into the film’s atheistic critique of religion, unpacking its suggestion that faith functions as a...
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EP 51 Part 3: Patience and Faith in The Pale Blue Eye
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In this final part of our discussion on The Pale Blue Eye, we dive into the theological dimension of the film and connect its themes to Scripture. We explore how verses like Psalm 51:10, Luke 6:45, and Numbers 22 challenge us to examine the heart and avoid the arrogance of thinking we can manipulate God. We reflect on how characters like Landoor and Dr. Marquis fall into Satan’s shortcuts, seeking immediate solutions instead of trusting God’s long, faithful path. Our conversation highlights that true spiritual growth comes through patience, humility, and recognizing that misapplied love...
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Ep 51 Part 2: What The Pale Blue Eye Sees in Us
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In this part of our episode on The Pale Blue Eye, we explore who the film is really for and challenge ourselves to rethink its deeper messages. We talk about why it’s not a movie for kids and the caution needed around its heavy themes like ritual imagery, sexual assault, suicide, and grief. In our Rethink section, we wrestle with the movie’s “Jesus moment,” where Poe burns the evidence against Landoor, offering him undeserved grace. We reflect on the symbolism of fire, the tension between grace and real-world consequences, and the reminder of our own guilt in light of sin. Finally, we...
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Ep 51 Part 1: Misapplied Love in The Pale Blue Eye
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
We kick off our spooky season discussion with The Pale Blue Eye by diving into its dark mystery and emotional core. We follow retired detective Augustus Landoor as he investigates a cadet’s gruesome death at West Point alongside the eccentric E.A. Poe. As the plot unfolds, we uncover the Marquise family’s desperate black magic rituals and Landoor’s shocking confession of vengeance for his daughter’s tragedy. Our conversation explores themes of misapplied love, revenge, coping with pain, and the challenge of redefining what “good” means after loss. We end Part 1 reflecting on...
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Ep 50 Part 3: Being Fully Known in K-Pop Demon Hunters
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In this episode, we wrap up our discussion of K-Pop Demon Hunters by reflecting on the film’s themes through the lens of Scripture. We explore Romans 3, Psalm 139, John 15, and 2 Corinthians 12, seeing how each passage speaks to hiding, weakness, and the longing to be truly known. We talk about the tension between seeking human approval and receiving God’s unconditional love, and how that struggle mirrors the characters’ journeys. We also share how spiritual practices like honest prayer and “recalibration sessions” help us combat digital distractions and root our identity in Christ....
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Ep 50 Part 2: Engaging Faith in K-Pop Demon Hunters
Engage, Reflect, Connect: Parable Arrows Podcast
In this episode, we dive into the audience and deeper themes of K-Pop Demon Hunters. We reflect on how the film seems tailor-made for younger adult viewers, with vibrant animation and approachable ideas that make it a great “training wheels analyzer” for media engagement. We also wrestle with who this movie might not be for, especially some Christian families uncomfortable with its demon imagery. Our Rethink discussion unpacks how modern entertainment often offers numbness and digital escape instead of true sanctification, drawing on lyrics like “I can be your sanctuary.” Finally,...
info_outlineIn this episode, we explore Ender’s Game, the cinematic adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s novel. Following Ender’s rise as a brilliant strategist, we unpack the moral weight of his decisions, the manipulation of truth, and the devastating consequences of war. Using our SMART framework, we examine the ethics of leadership, the role of fear in shaping society, and the tension between compassion and aggression. We also draw connections to faith, reflecting on sacrifice, the pursuit of truth, and what it means to confront threats in our lives. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about this movie!
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