Others   The Message The Movie we'll be watching tonight is not a waste of time. It raises some interesting questions, is there a Heaven & hell? Do supernatural creatures really exist? The Others provides first-class supernatural thrills that will keep you guessing throughout the film. This film has numerous launching points for spiritual discussion. The film deals primarily with ghosts. Because death and the supernatural realm hold such fascination (even among Christians), this provides a perfect opportunity for setting the record straight on the spiritual realm. Grace and the children also have several theological discussions. Their conclusions aren't always correct, but they do ask good questions. They discuss where a person goes after he or she dies, the accuracy of Scripture, and the importance of claiming Jesus as Lord, no matter what the circumstances. The Others proves a welcome relief from movies that pack explosive special effects around sexual plots. While using restraint and insinuation to build an emotional jolt, it raises serious questions about life, death, and faith.   Synopsis Grace lives in a dark, lonely mansion on an isolated island off the coast of England with her two young children, Anne and Nicholas, who suffer from rare allergies to sunlight. After the mysterious disappearance of Grace's servants, three new servants arrive at the eerie house to assist her in the absence of her husband, missing in action in World War II. Mounting evidence suggests the presence of ghosts, and Grace withdraws from her children into the arms of madness.   Watch the movie here.    Theme: Not everything in the Bible can be easily understood. Message: Anne explains that she learned all about ghosts from books she's read. Ms. Mills says Anne shouldn't believe everything she reads. Anne responds by listing all the things she's read in the Bible that she doesn't believe. Everyone knows everything in the Bible's supposed to be true, but that doesn't make everything written in it easy to understand and accept. Find out what questions your young people have about the accuracy and inerrancy of God's Word and try to not only answer their questions but also encourage them to place their faith in God for the unexplainable or incomprehensible. Discussion Questions:     Why are people sometimes afraid to ask questions about the Bible?     What question have you always had about the Bible?     Do you believe everything the Bible says is true? Why or why not? Read aloud 2 Timothy 3:14-17. 2Ti 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 2Ti 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.     What would you say to someone who asks how we can trust that the Bible is true when we rely on the Bible as our proof?     What do you think happens when a person picks and chooses what to believe in the Bible?     How can someone learn to place his or her faith in the Bible?   Theme: Occult practices expose people to genuine spiritual danger. Message: A psychic conducts a séance with a group of people around a table while the Stewart family watches. Then Grace and the kids insist to the people that "We're not dead" and break contact. The people involved in the séance discuss their incredible encounter with the Stewart family. The occult continues to fascinate people, and "innocent" activities such as playing with Ouija boards and consulting psychics provide an entry-level pass into this dangerous world. Discuss occult practices and expose the spiritual peril that underlies them.   Discussion Questions:     Do you believe that occult practices have real power? Why or why not?     Why do you think people find the occult so fascinating? Read Deuteronomy 18:9-12. Deu 18:9 "When you come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, any one who practices divination, a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, Deu 18:11 or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. Deu 18:12 For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD; and because of these abominable practices the LORD your God is driving them out before you.     Would you classify such things as Ouija boards, horoscopes, palm readings, psychics, Wicca, and tarot cards as occult? Why or why not? Do you think "dabbling" in these kinds of activities exposes a person to spiritual danger? Why or why not?     How can you help someone who dabbles in the occult see the spiritual reality behind his or her interest?     How can you help someone involved in the occult escape?   Theme: An unseen spiritual world exists. Message: Grace tells Ms. Mills that she felt a presence in the room even though no one was there. Ms. Mills says everyone knows stories about the "beyond" even though they're hard to explain. She believes the world of the dead and the living get mixed up sometimes. People tend to either ignore or romanticize the "other side," so bring a dose of God's reality to the discussion. Explore the spiritual realm-who exactly inhabits this unseen world, and what (if any) interaction do the two worlds have.   Discussion Questions:     Do you believe in the spirit world? Why or why not?     Can a person believe in God but not in spirits? Why or why not?     What evidence is there of an unseen spiritual realm? Read aloud Isaiah 14:9-15. Isa 14:9 (Hell) beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come, it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. Isa 14:10 All of them will speak and say to you: 'You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!' Isa 14:11 Your pomp (has) brought down to (hell), the sound of your harps; maggots are the bed beneath you, and worms are your covering. Isa 14:12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! Isa 14:13 You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north; Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.' Isa 14:15 But you are brought down to (hell), to the depths of the Pit.     Can the spiritual realm affect the physical world? If so, how?     As Christians, how are we protected from the spirit world? How are we susceptible?     Why doesn't God spell out everything about the afterlife?     How does the existence of the spiritual world impact your daily life?   OUR WORD TO THE WISE: The following is a quick look at the content found in this PG-13 rated horror/suspense film. Being a picture about a haunted house, it's filled with all sorts of material that's likely to come off as unsettling, suspenseful and/or downright frightening to many viewers (especially when accompanied by related music). That includes a revelation of something bad that occurred in the past that's also bound to be disturbing. There are a few violent scenes related to the supernatural material, a brief sensuous moment between a married couple and some tense family moments. Beyond a few religious exclamations and the possibility that kids could get the notion to try to spook or scare their siblings, parents or friends, the rest of the film's categories have little or nothing in the way of major objectionable material. BLOOD/GORE  Grace finds an antique "book of the dead" that shows many black and white photos of dead people lying on beds or propped up in chairs, etc. (most look like they're sleeping, but some do look dead but not gory). FRIGHTENING SCENES  A great deal of the film is comprised of such scenes as well as an overall foreboding and/or creepy aura (along with traditional, suspenseful, ominous and scary music). PROFANITY  At least 2 uses of "Oh my God" as exclamations (the few other religious phrases that are present - "Swear to God," "God in Heaven" and "Oh God" -- seem to be used as a direct plea/comment to God rather than as something profane/irreverent). SEX/NUDITY  Grace removes her dress and we see her in her long slip that shows a bit of cleavage. Later, Charles lies behind her on the bed, nuzzles her neck, and she rolls over and they sensuously kiss with him partially on top of her (both are clothed). We then see them in bed afterwards, implying that they may have had sex. VIOLENCE A door suddenly opens quite hard and knocks Grace to the floor. Grace goes over to see Anne who's seated on the floor in her communion dress with a veil over her face and finds an old woman with creepy eyes in her place (with the girl's voice). She then grabs this figure and starts choking it on the floor (it then turns back into the girl). Grace aims a shotgun at others, demanding that they leave her house. Grace fires her shotgun at several ghosts, but they just keep coming toward her. We learn that some disturbing murders took place in the past, but don't see the actual act.