Discussion info for th movie Amazing Grace

FAITH SCENE STUDY
Additional Amazing Grace studies and resources are freely downloadable at www.amazinggracemovie.com.
Faith Themes: SALVATION, CALLING & PERSEVERANCE
Clip: “You found God, Sir?”
Time Code: Start: 0:18:13 - End: 0:20:51; Length: 2:06
CONVERSION
William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was first introduced to God through his aunt at a young age but pursued a
hedonistic lifestyle of parties and gambling in St John’s College Cambridge. Well-liked and witty, he was
first elected to the House of Commons at the age of 21. In 1784, Isaac Miner reintroduced Wilberforce to
Christianity. Immersing himself in studying the Bible and abandoning his indulgent ways, Wilberforce
contemplated a ‘life of solitude’ resolving to commit himself fully to the service of God. But with the
encouragement of his friend William Pitt, John Newton and the Clapham Community, Wilberforce considers
using his voice to praise the Lord and change the world as a young parliamentarian.
1. “The principles of Christianity lead not only to meditation but to action.” Agree or disagree?
2. “God found me. Do you have any idea how inconvenient that is?” What does Wilberforce
mean? Have you found this true in your own life?
3. The butler asks, “You found God sir?” Wilberforce says, “I think He found me.” What
differences are implied about the act of salvation from these perspectives? Rom 4:5, 3:24;
Ephesians 2:8-9
4. In light of “10,000 engagements of state today”, do you take time in your busy life to pray, dwell
in the wonder and awe of God?
CALLING
Many define “calling” to be the serendipitous combination of a few factors: gifting, timing of opportunities, a
leading from the Holy Spirit, and an affirmation of community.
1. How was each factor manifest in Wilberforce’s life?
2. What biblical principles inspired Wilberforce’s calling? James 2:14-18
3. Wilberforce committed himself to two ‘Great Objects’:
i) The Suppression of the slave trade and
ii) The Reformation of Manners (Social reform throughout all areas of society)
Which 65 societies did Wilberforce create or influence? Why are these significant?
5. Wilberforce argued that effective social reform should have a moral base ‘otherwise fail or
do more harm than good. Why did he believe this? Do you agree?
5. What ‘great object’ has God placed before you?
PERSEVERANCE
Though the bill was passed in 1807, Wilberforce devoted the rest of his life to rid the British Empire of
slavery. Chronically ill and repeatedly rejected by Parliament, Wilberforce tirelessly persevered over 20
years. Just 3 days after slavery is finally abolished in 1833, Wilberforce’s soul rested.
1. What inspiration and example can we draw from his perseverance to serve the public good?
2. In today’s society, why is perseverance less common?
3. How do we persevere in light of defeat and trials? Romans 5:3-4; James 1:3-4
4. What influence did Barbara Spooner have on Wilberforce’s decision to persevere?
5. How does passion differ from conviction as a motive for perseverance?
FAITH SCENE STUDY
Additional Amazing Grace studies and resources are freely downloadable at www.amazinggracemovie.com.
Faith Themes: AMBITION, GOALS & THE IMPOSSIBLE
Clip: Pitt and Wilberforce
Time Code: Start: 0:21:57 – End 0:22:51; Length: 0:53 sec
AMBITION
24 year-old Pitt aspires to become Prime Minister of England and appeals to Wilberforce for support and
partnership. Recently coming to faith in Christ, Wilberforce writes a letter informing Pitt of his decision to
enter the clergy and seeks a meeting at Brookes Club. Wilberforce said no one of their age has ever
served in Parliament and Pitt responds, “which is why we are too young to realize that certain things are
impossible. So we will do them anyway.”
1. Do you think Wilberforce and Pitt’s age influenced their ambition for social change?
2. Imagine if every young person wanted to change the world. What changes would we see?
3. What motivated Pitt’s ambition? What motivated Wilberforce’s ambition?
4. How can friends inspire courage in attempting to work for change? Which friends can surround
you and commit to making a difference with?
5. How did Wilberforce and Pitt’s friendship help in the accomplishing of their respective goals?
6. What other pairs in Biblical history were instrumental in monumental change? 1 Samuel 20:42;
Numbers 14:30 – 38; Esther 2: 22 – 82; Acts 14:3
7. How did Pitt’s influence in Wilberforce’s life contribute to the abolition of slave trade?
8. What command does Paul give to young adults in 1 Timothy 4:12?
THE IMPOSSIBLE
1. What are some obstacles to your ambitions? And what are the bases of these obstacles?
2. How does idealism or cynicism limit an attempt to make a difference?
What are some factors that make people idealistic or cynical about changing the world?
3. In what ways are you fearful or cynical?
4. Are fears reflective of the way in which we understand God? Do fears reflect a view of God?
5. How does God want us to view the impossible? Mark 9:23, Mark 10:27, Jeremiah 32:27
6. What is one of the most frequently repeated commands in Scripture? Deuteronomy 31: 6-8;
Genesis 26:24; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Isaiah 43:5
7. In what areas can you replace impossibility with faith? Fear with courage?
GOALS
1. How would you like your life and accomplishments to be summed up?
2. Should life goals and dreams be shaped by Micah 6:8 and Matthew 6:33?
3. What was distinctive about Christ’s ministry that makes relationships one of the most powerful
ways to effect change?
4. Why should integrity in personal relationships matter when pursuing goals?
FAITH SCENE STUDY
Additional Amazing Grace studies and resources are freely downloadable at www.amazinggracemovie.com.
Faith Themes: COMMUNITY, FREEDOM, FAITH & VOCATION
Clip: Clapham Dinner
Time Code: Start: 0:27:09 – End: 0:30:05; Length 2:49
COMMUNITY
In 1782 Pitt strategically arranged for Wilberforce to meet some abolitionists - Hannah More, Thomas
Clarkson, Reverend James Ramsey, and the freed former slave Olaudah Equiano, which later became
known as the Clapham Sect. These unsung heroes united to form the Committee for Abolition of the
African Slave Trade. “Wilberforce proved a man can change his times, but that he cannot do it alone.”
1. The Clapham Community was largely comprised of Anglican & Quaker abolitionists. How did
their faith drive their conviction of social justice and reform?
2. How did this small circle ignite and awaken the conscience of a nation so powerfully?
3. What effect can community achieve that a single individual cannot? Acts 22:15, 4:33;
1 Corinthians 12:12 – 27
4. What positive change can you and your circle of friends make together today?
5. In what ways can you ‘set captives free?’ Isaiah 61:1-3
FREEDOM
To Wilberforce's horror, Clarkson demonstrates the use of human shackles and Equiano reveals his
branding scar on this chest and says, “they put irons into the fires and do this. To let you know you no
longer belong to God but to a man.”
1. Why does man exercise power through cruelty?
2. Why was it important for Wilberforce to meet Equiano?
3. What freedoms are gained or forfeited when we belong to God? Or to man? Rom 8:1 –2,
2 Corinthians 3:17, Gal 5:1, 2 Pet 2:19
4. What attributes of God are implied in “belonging” to Him? Ps 24:1-2, Deut 4:32, Is Chapter 45
5. What things in your life own you? What do you use your freedom for?
FAITH & VOCATION
Pitt knows of Wilberforce’s personal dilemma to stay in government or to become a man of the cloth.
Clarkson poignantly discloses, “We understand you having problems doing the work of God and that of a
political activist.” With quiet strength and conviction, Hannah More exhorts “We humbly suggest that you
can do both.”
1. Why did Wilberforce view “work of a political activist” and the “work of God” as separate?
2. Why are we prone to divorce faith from our vocations? and categorize secular versus spiritual
vocations?
3. How is work a form of worship? Hebrews 12:1-2
4. How do John Newton and the Clapham community affirm Wilberforce’s calling?
5. What challenges do politicians face that demand or necessitate faith?
FAITH SCENE STUDY
Additional Amazing Grace studies and resources are freely downloadable at www.amazinggracemovie.com.
Faith Themes: HISTORICAL SLAVERY & CHANGE
Clip: The Smell of Slavery
Time Code: Start: 0:55:28 – End 0:56:50; Length: 1:37 seconds
HISTORICAL SLAVERY
The Madagascar was a slave ship. Wilberforce painted the horrors of slavery for Members of Parliament by
the smell of death, the smell of slavery. Never before did the citizens see or smell the reality and degrading
effects of slavery. The stench of death is overwhelming.
1. Wilberforce shouts “Remember God made men equal!” If man was created equally, why do we
still view others differently?
2. How did Clarkson and the Clapham community make slavery real for Members of Parliament
and the British Empire?
3. “How can we live in houses like this while others live in boxes?” Does the injustice of others
factor into decisions about your own lifestyle?
Olaudah Equiano was a central figure in the abolitionist movement in Great Britain. Equiano wrote an
eyewitness account of his life as a slave and of his work in the anti-slavery movement in his memoir titled
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or, Gustavas Vassa, The African. Published in
1789, this book was extremely successful and important because it was one of few first-hand accounts of
slavery. Equiano worked tirelessly towards this cause until his death on April 31, 1797.
1. Estimates say over 20 million slaves died in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Why is this part of
our history still relatively unknown?
2. What are the residual consequences of the transatlantic slave trade today?
3. What other forms of inequality and discrimination still exist in our society?
4. Would people say that you view or treat others differently?
5. How are we to value others? Philippians 2:3-4, Romans 12:10, Galatians 5:13
CHANGE WITHIN
Pitt asks Wilberforce, “you don’t believe we can change things?” To which Wilberforce replies, “I’d rather
change myself first.” Confession of one’s sinfulness is often the first step towards God’s work of change in
and through one’s life.
1. Why is Wilberforce’s humility the proper attitude before changing anything else?
2. Why does changing the world begin with changing one’s character?
3. Historically, Christians were often the very perpetrators of slavery. Why is it crucial for the
Church to be an agent of reconciliation and to combat racism?
4. Why is reconciliation an important characteristic for all Christians? 2 Cor 5:17-21
5. How is the ability to forgive reflective of one’s understanding of grace? Luke 7:47
6. How is asking for forgiveness different than an apology?
7. Why is it necessary to acknowledge one’s own culpability in order to reconcile? 1 John 1:8-10
8. How can you be an agent of healing and reconciliation?
FAITH SCENE STUDY
Additional Amazing Grace studies and resources are freely downloadable at www.amazinggracemovie.com.
Faith Themes: JOHN NEWTON & THE HYMN AMAZING GRACE
Clip: Once Was Blind
Time Code: Start: 1:28:07 – End 1:29:42; Length: 1:31
JOHN NEWTON
Early in the film, still imprisoned by his guilt, John Newton bitterly tells Wilberforce that he was “explaining to
a child why a grown man cowers in a dark corner.” “Twenty thousand ghosts live with me in this church,
there’s still blood on my hands.”
1. What did Newton mean that he “once was blind”?
2. In what ways are we also blind? Why does one’s sense of guilt vary? Judges 21:25;
Romans 1:18 – 9, 21, 25, 28
3. How should guilt be assuaged or remedied? Colossians 21:3-14, Isaiah 53:5-6
4. What is the difference between guilt that leads to death and guilt that leads to life? 2 Cor 7:9-10
5. How does an understanding of sinfulness affect one’s appreciation of grace?
6. What is grace?
THE HYMN AMAZING GRACE
Born into a captain’s family who traded at the East India Company, John Newton (1725 -1807) embarked
on sea voyages at the young age of 11. He soon entered the prosperous slave trade and continued in this
work whilst converting to Christianity in 1748. Not until he nearly died in a storm on a voyage near the
shores of Buncrana Ireland that he repented and left the lucrative commerce. His testimony was recorded
in an article titled “Faith’s Review and Expectation” which later became the hymn “Amazing Grace.” He
proclaimed that, “Only God's amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and
transform him into a child of God.” Newton also wrote of his experiences in his autobiography 'An Authentic
Narrative' published in 1764, the same year he was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. John
Newton went on to write many other hymns as well and served as Wilberforce’s father figure in the faith.
1. “I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”
Is an understanding of one’s sinfulness proportional to one’s appreciation of grace?
2. What does it mean to be found?
3. How is repentance reflected in the hymn Amazing Grace? What is repentance?
4. How is it that grace can both teach us to fear whilst also relieving us of our fears?
6. “The Lord has promis’d good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion
be, As long as life endures.” Do you find yourself doubting these promises at times?
6. How can you be more an instrument of healing and reconciliation?
FAITH SCENE STUDY
Additional Amazing Grace studies and resources are freely downloadable at www.amazinggracemovie.com.
Faith Themes: HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Clip: Our Message Was Everywhere
Time Code: Start: 0:56:53 – End 0:57:51; Length: 1:00
Awareness can turn apathy into action. Clarkson rode on horseback to Bristol, Liverpool, and London
gathering evidence for Parliament. The Clapham Community campaigned with signs, informing consumers
of sugar that slaves were employed in the preparation of this ingredient. “It seemed our message was
everywhere. At least now there was hope, real hope.”
Today, there are more slaves in existence than the Transatlantic slave trade. We need, more than ever
before, a new generation of Wilberforces, Equianos, Clarksons and the Clapham Community to abolish the
modern-day slavery, the global crime of human trafficking.
Today, estimates state:
27,000,000: People in modern-day slavery across the world
50% of all victims are children
218,000,000: Children working aged between five and seventeen
126,000,000: Children who work in the worst forms of child labor;
300,000: Child soldiers involved in over 30 areas of conflict worldwide, some younger than 10 yrs old
20,000,000: Bonded laborers in the world
250,000,000: Dalit people of India, born into slavery and outside the caste system
2nd: Highest grossing revenue of organized crime in the world is Human Trafficking
“Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded or coerced into
labor or sexual exploitation...millions more are enslaved in their own countries. The common denominator in
all trafficking scenarios is the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit a person for commercial sex or for
the purpose of subjecting a victim to involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or forced labor. The use of force
or coercion can be direct and violent, or psychological.” -The Facts About Human Trafficking For Forced Labor,
Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Washington, DC, June 3, 2008
1. Why does slavery still exist?
2. What are practical ways in which we can awaken the conscience of the world to modern day slavery?
3. Take a few moments to research the many great organizations fighting this evil. There are too many to
list but here are a few that are starting points. www.humantrafficking.org, www.dalitfreedom.net,
www.ungift.org, www.callandresponse.com, www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/, www.notforsalecampaign.org,
4. Why is it essential to unite and fight for the abolition of human trafficking?
5. What is the first requirement asked of man? Micah 6:8, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Luke 10:27
6. What attribute of God should fuel our conviction to respond? Psalm 11:7, 33:5, 140:12
7. Who did Jesus minister to and befriend? Matthew 21:32, 9:10, 11:5
8. What can you and your friends do to help and inspire others to live in their God-given freedom?
9. What practical ways can you and your friends partner with current organizations?
10. How can you be an instrument of amazing grace and amazing change?