A few weeks ago, Marcy, Rachel and I sat down and watched the film “To Save a Life,” recently released on DVD.  Some of you may know about this movie…it’s getting a good amount of play in youth groups and churches and did pretty well in its limited theatrical release last fall.   And since it’s rated PG-13, it’s something you shouldn’t show to small children.  But I highly recommend this film for parents and youth leaders, and PLEASE don’t give up on it just because the content makes you uncomfortable.

“To Save a Life” follows the story of Jake Taylor, a high school basketball star in California whose life is turned upside down when a childhood friend takes his own life in a school hallway.  Jake struggles with guilt and “what if?” as he considers how he could have potentially kept this tragedy from happening.  In the process, he meets a pastor, starts attending a youth group, and finds that making a life change has it’s fair share of challenges, especially within his current circle of friends.  As his journey continues, he realizes that following God can be tough, but that he likes the change happening inside of him.

The film’s screenwriter is Jim Britts, a youth worker who told us this week on The Morning Thing that he wrote the story not as a “Christian movie,” but instead to accurately depict the challenges, questions and pressures that young people are facing in American society, and give parents and kids a chance to open up a dialogue about them.

Sex, alcohol, drugs, social cliques, divorce, teen pregnancy, cutting and Christian hypocrisy are all addressed in this film.  This film is as real as it gets.  Some teens who saw the movie told Jim in emails that they felt like he just set up a camera on their campus and started filming.  

The movie attempts to show how no problem, no matter how big or small, is apart from God’s plan and His love.  It also challenges us to not just talk the Christian talk but walk the walk…there’s one scene in particular that really hits home, when Jake, brand new in his Christianity, calls out some of the fakers he meets in the youth group and asks them, “what good is this if it doesn’t change you?!!”  And you know he’s right!  How can we convince others to walk alongside us in Christ when we aren’t following his will ourselves?  A very humbling and convicting scene.

So, parents, as your kids watch the film, be ready to have these conversations.  Be ready to share your experiences, both your triumphs and your struggles, and how God’s love and God’s plan can comfort and heal us when we are broken or confused. 

And don’t be afraid to tell your kids that the journey is a LIFELONG journey.  One thing I did like about “To Save a Life” is that the ending simply takes Jake on to the next phase of his life…showing that a walk with Christ doesn’t end in an hour and 45 minute film.  It is a continuing journey.  Jim’s sequel book, “Jake’s Choice,” will be released next month and follows Jake to college as a scholarship player at Louisville, and the continuing journey as he faces new pressures.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”   Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

-Joe