Tuck Everlasting Synopsis Given an opportunity to be immortal, would you take it? It's 1914 and Winnie Foster is a 15-year-old who feels smothered by her proper, upper class upbringing imposed upon her by her conservative and wealthy parents Augusta and Robert. She longs for a life outside her fenced-in estate, and thus decides to run away when she learns that she's to be sent off to a strict, all-girls school. She ends up getting lost in her family's large and heavily wooded lands. It is in those woods where she encounters Jesse Tuck and his family who have inadvertently found a spring which contains the key to eternal life. No one who drinks of the spring will ever age and can never die. Knowing what would transpire if news of the spring reached the outside world, the Tucks "kidnap" Winnie until she understands why it and they must be kept a secret. But some secrets cannot be kept. Winnie's parents, with the help of a mysterious man in a yellow suit, are mounting a huge search party for her. It is only a matter of time before they stumble upon the Tucks and their secret spring. All this is obviously leading up to something. It is clear to us that Winnie is going to have a choice to make. A choice that will determine her future and the kind of life she will have. The Message Does she drink from the spring to stay 15 forever together with Jesse and his family? Or does she let her life run its normal course, with all of its ups and downs; joys and pains? It isn't as easy a decision as it might first appear. This is not the eternal life that is promised to us upon the return of Jesus Christ. The Tucks experience severe losses as generation after generation around them must die their natural deaths while they continue to stay, unchanged and unchanging, like rocks stuck along the bank of a river watching the waters of life flow past them. The eternal life which is part of the hope that gives us strength and endurance includes the end to all death and grief and loss. The biggest difference between what God has promised us and what is depicted in Tuck Everlasting is that in His story, we shall no longer have to live in a world with evil. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4 (KJV) Accept no substitutes. Immortality without the presence and promises of God is nothing to be desired. Scriptures: Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; Death We need to prepare ourselves to meet death. Every person in history experiences a physical death, which raises the question concerning our fate after life. In death, our earthly bodies will decay and disappear, but what happens to each eternal soul after it leaves this world? How will you face death when it comes knocking? Christians have the hope and promise of eternity in heaven with their Savior. "If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity?" Throw that one on the youth, and see how they respond. Discussion Questions:  ·How would you act if you knew you would have a choice of life everlasting? At what age would you stop ageing? ·What would happen to you if you died right now? What reasons do you have for believing as you do? ·Read aloud Psalm 39:4-7.  Psa 39:4 "LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is! Psa 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in thy sight. Surely every man stands as a mere breath! [Selah] Psa 39:6 Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nought are they in turmoil; man heaps up, and knows not who will gather! Psa 39:7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in thee. ·What can you do to prepare yourself now for death, even though it might not reach you for decades? ·What are the really important things you should pour your life into? ·How has death touched you personally? Do you ever think about your own death? Why or why not? ·Read aloud Job 30:23. Job 30:23 Yea, I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. ·What happens to a person after he or she dies? What will happen to you after you die? ·How does a relationship with God bring peace to your life concerning death? Other Topics for Discussion God's Will Our desires for "happiness" don't necessarily reflect God's will. We might think that God's all about our happiness and comfort, but God's more worried about us loving one another, not necessarily how "happy" we are. Impress upon the youth that God loves them and gives wonderful gifts, but that getting the things that we perceive will make us happy isn't necessarily a reflection of God's will for us. Discussion Questions:  ·Do you think God wants us to be happy? Why or why not?  ·What are some things that bring us temporary happiness? long-lasting happiness? ·Do you think it's hard or easy to figure out what will truly bring us happiness? Explain. How do you discern what's likely to make you happy? ·Read aloud 1 Peter 3:14-17. 1Pe 3:14 But even if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 1Pe 3:15 but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; 1Pe 3:16 and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1Pe 3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong. ·Can a person be happy in the midst of suffering? Why or why not? ·What do you think God most wants us to experience in our earthly lives? ·How can you pursue God's will above your "happiness" this week? Expectations Worldly expectations often bring disappointment, but God will fulfill his promises. Expectations rarely get met in real life. We can plot and plan out how events will progress, but it's usually only a matter of time before they derail. Help the youth understand the difference between looking forward to the future and planning out exactly how life will unfold. Detailed and determined plans seemingly make God laugh and cause us frustration, so live by faith in God's plan. Discussion Questions:  ·What are some expectations you have for your life?  ·When was a time that something happened in a way that you never would have expected? Explain. ·Read aloud Genesis 12:1-3. Gen 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. Gen 12:2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Gen 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves." ·What did God promise Abram, and how do you think Abram expected God to fulfill his promise? ·Why does God so often answer in unexpected ways?  ·Does this mean we shouldn't plan ahead for anything? Explain.  ·How does God work in our lives through our expectations?  ·What are some expectations you need to release to God in faith? OUR WORD TO THE WISE:  Here's a brief summary of the content found in this PG-rated drama. Violence consists of a death due to a purposeful blow to someone's head and several people being shot (but since the latter are immortal, they're okay). Some property damage is also present, and some of those scenes could be upsetting or suspenseful to some viewers, particularly younger ones. The film also contains themes and material dealing with death and immortality. Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes, and some tense family material is present. Several characters drink, two young characters partially disrobe to go swimming, and one scene is slightly sensual in nature. BLOOD/GORE  ·None. PROFANITY  ·At least 1 use each of "Oh Lord" and "Oh my God" as exclamations. SEX/NUDITY  ·Jesse undresses in front of Winnie (to her embarrassment) down to his long johns (he's shirtless) so that he can go swimming. She eventually joins him (clothed in her full and non-revealing undergarments) in the pond. ·Winnie dances in front of Jesse (in a moment of letting herself go, but the scene is slightly sexually charged). The two later briefly kiss.