Miracle Synopsis In 1980, U.S. hockey coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) gathers a ragtag group of prideful, warring college players and molds them into a unified Olympic team. His underdog team of no-name players must compete against the greatest teams in the world, including the fearsome four-time-gold-medal-winning Russian squad. The Message Miracle recounts the inspirational, true story of the triumphant U.S. hockey team. Kurt Russell delivers a career-reviving performance as obsessed taskmaster coach Herb Brooks. The taut script holds us on the edge of our seats even though we know the story's conclusion. (It's recent history, remember? Being shocked at the U. S. victory would be akin to showing surprise when the boat sinks in Titanic.) Obviously, all of the sports-film comparisons between building a team and building the body of Christ apply here. This film travels even deeper into this team concept. First, Coach Brooks seizes on the belief that less talented individuals bereft of pride can join together and form a more powerful team than a group of physically superior arrogant people. This concept (which he rode to Olympic Gold) holds true in the church as well. When we leave our pride at the door, either God comes in to fill in the gaps in our strength, or he brings us likeminded believers with the needed talents. That's exactly why Coach Brooks chose the specific players he did. Each one had a different gift, and Brooks fit those pieces together to make the strongest whole. God does the exact same thing in the church. He binds groups of different people together under the banner of Christ to work in unison toward building God's kingdom and completing tasks they could never have accomplished separately. When God's people unite under the Holy Spirit, miracles happen. Those miracles, impossible occurrences much more dramatic and inexplicable than a hockey team's victory, happen constantly when we allow God room to work. Too often, God's people attempt to do only what can be accomplished under human power. This robs God of his glory and the opportunity to reveal his presence through the miraculous. God wants us to heed Joshua's call to be "strong and courageous" as well, facing impossible tasks with the expectation that God will fill any gaping holes in our abilities with his own infinite power. This belief in God's power is important because we serve as his representatives on earth. Just as the Coach Brooks' players represented the United States of America, we as followers of Jesus Christ reflect him to the world around us. As we've seen, this can have unfortunate effects. Too many people swear off anything to do with God because his followers do reprehensible things in his name. Challenge your young people to live out Jesus' commands so the world will see. Doing so gives people no choice but to look into the life and claims of Christ for themselves. Finally, Coach Brooks lives and breathes training his team for the challenge that awaits them. He knows that difficulty awaits, and the team will crumble without diligent preparation. Some of his intense training also requires discipline. Unless incorrect behavior gets straightened out immediately, a shaky foundation will form that can't withstand future pressure. This metaphor in Miracle mirrors our spiritual lives as well. A growing faith requires training. Sometimes God must discipline us in order to correct our path and point us in the right direction. Take it upon yourself to train now, through prayer, Scripture reading, spiritual disciplines, accountability, etc., before you face the difficult challenges of life.  By pushing yourself now, you'll not only survive the trials ahead but also overcome them in a victory that glorifies God. Topic for Discussion Our commitment to God is a personal choice, not something that's inherited from our parents. Case in Point: Herb questions Jim's commitment to the Olympic team. Jim reveals he could alleviate his dad's financial problems by turning pro, but Jim's mom, who died recently, wanted him to play in the Olympics. Herb points out that Jim hasn't answered, and he responds, "I'm here, aren't I?" More Than a Movie: God wants a commitment from his followers, and he's not going to accept one that's forced by a father or given out of guilt to a mother. God holds each person responsible for his or her own personal commitment. You are challenged to examine your commitment to God and make sure it grows from your own desires and not one that's been passed down. Discussion Questions:  ·Does Jim seem very committed to you? Why or why not? ·Have you ever done something because your parents wanted you to? If so, do you feel as if you were totally committed to that thing? Why or why not? ·How have you seen people follow God because their parents force them to? Do you think this "commitment" pleases God? Why or why not? ·Read aloud Jeremiah 31:29-33. Translate these verses into modern language. How do these verses make you feel? What impact do they have on your life? ·What makes people think they can coast off their parents' commitment to God? ·What in your opinion demonstrates a person's commitment to Christ? How can you incorporate these things into your life? Topic for Discussion God empowers us to show bravery in the face of defeat.  Case in Point: The U.S. hockey team watches film of the Russians, the best team in the world. Herb admits they're not as good as the Russians. Every team fears the Soviets, and they lose because they don't attack. Herb proclaims that the US can beat the Russians by training hard and showing no fear. More Than a Movie: We have nothing to fear in the face of superior force, talent, or odds because the Almighty God of the universe has got our back. With that in mind, God wants us to not hold back, but march forward, taking the offensive against that which seems impossible. Help your teenagers round up their five smooth stones of bravery and meet whatever giants they might face. Discussion Questions: ·Have you ever faced what seemed like an impossible situation? If so, what happened? ·Do you consider yourself to be brave in the face of a challenge? Why or why not? What qualities make up a brave person? ·What factors cause people to lose their bravery and become fearful? ·Read aloud 1 Samuel 17:40-54. How did David display bravery? Why was he so confident in the face of danger? ·What can you learn from David's example? Why should Christians have courage in the face of huge obstacles? ·Why do we sometimes run from the "giants" we face? Does God love us even if we run from his battles? Why or why not? ·How can you learn to draw on God for bravery in the future?  Topic for Discussion God wants his children to seize divine opportunities. Case in Point: Herb challenges his team by saying "great moments are born from great opportunity." He claims the Russians won't beat them, because tonight the USA has the greatest hockey team in the world. His team was born to play hockey and meant to win this game. All they need do is take it. More Than a Movie: God offers his people opportunities to advance his kingdom. All they must do is step out in faith, trusting that God will walk before them in victory. Unfortunately, too many Christians either sit in indecision, or flat-out refuse to capitalize on their opportunities because of fear or unbelief. Cling to God and trust that he will provide all of the strength and wisdom necessary to accomplish great things when opportunity knocks. Discussion Questions:  ·Have you ever missed an opportunity? If so, why did you miss it? ·What are some other reasons people might miss an opportunity? ·What kinds of spiritual opportunities might God throw in a person's path? Are you good at noticing the opportunities God gives you? Why or why not? ·Read aloud Galatians 6:7-10. What opportunities does God command us to always take? How do you know when something is "good" or not? ·What plan does God give in verses 7-8 for training to take opportunities? Are you following this advice? Why or why not? ·Why does God offer us opportunities even when he knows we won't accept them? What does this say about his nature? About human nature? Word to The Wise BLOOD/GORE  ?  One player has a little blood from his nose following a fight.  PROFANITY  ?  At least 24 hells, 4 asses, 4 damns, 2 craps, 3 uses of "Oh my God" and 1 use of "Swear to God." SEX/NUDITY  ?  Herb comments on a fight between two players as being "more like monkeys trying to hump a football." ?  We see three male players in the shower room (but only from the chest up). ?  It looks as if some of the players got one guy a pair of panties as a gag Christmas gift. ?  We briefly see one of the players in his underwear in the locker room. VIOLENCE  ?  We see archival footage of war-time bombs dropping and exploding. ?  There's some violent checking in hockey practice (players slamming into others and/or driving them up against the wall). ?  One player performs a hard check on another. The two then get into a fight on the ice with struggling and punching until they're separated. ?  There's some hard checking violence and a player is flipped during a match. ?  Herb overturns a table in anger.  ?  There's more physical contact during several more matches.  ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE  ?  We see archival footage briefly dealing with Billy Beer.  ?  People have drinks at a costume party.  ?  Some of the players have beer.  ?  The players and coaches have beer. We later see some more of the players drinking.