The point of this session is “Overcome the pressure of conflict by humbly submitting to Christ.” Begin the session by asking the men in your group, “When have you experienced pressure to escalate a conflict? For men, what pressures are involved?” Allow for discussion, and lead group to consider the fear of appearing weak as one of the pressures men face when it comes to resisting conflict.
Explain that in the movie The Patriot, Mel Gibson plays a war hero who is conflicted over whether or not to support revolution against Great Britain in the months leading up to the Revolutionary War. As you watch the following clip, lead men in the group to consider the different pressures Benjamin Martin faced: his reputation as a hero. The justness of the cause. The responsibility he had as a single father. The pressure of being the one voice of opposition in a room full of people who wanted war. The fear of losing the respect of his sons. All these and more are in play during this scene.
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After showing the clip, ask,
- If you were in this situation, which of these would cause you the most pressure?
- Is it possible to “humbly submit to Christ” without appearing weak?
Continue with the session plan as written, leading men to read the Scripture while continuing to reflect on what it means for men to resist conflict by submitting to Christ.
We want to hear from you! How will you explore the topic of overcoming conflict with the men in your group?