BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

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ATTITUDE IS A CHOICEIn the film, Jackson experiences not only a traumatic loss when his father dies, but also bullying from his peers. The result is an angry attitude directed toward others. Let’s consider what the Bible says about this kind of behavior.

1. Sixmonthsafterhisfather’sdeath,Jacksonhasnotmovedfromtheangerstageofgrief.Thinkbackonthefilmanddescribehisbehavioratvarioustimesthatdemonstratesanangryattitude.

2. TheBiblewarnshowangercanbedangerous.ReadEphesians 4:26-27andthenthinkaboutatimeyouhavefeltangry.Didyoufollowthescripture’sadvice?Ifnot,whatwastheresult?

3. Jackson’sangerandresentmentdissolvedwhenhedecidedtofollowChrist.ReadEphesians 4:31-32andthengiveanexamplefromthefilmthatillustratestheteenager’schangeofheart.

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LESSON TO LEARN:Angerislikeafirethatcansmolderandthenburnoutofcontrol.SuchwasthecasewithJacksonwhosegriefoverhisdad’sdeathturnsintobitterness.Heblatantlydisobeyshismom,argueswiththeschoolprincipalandisgenerallydisrespectful,evenallowinghisangertosidetrackhiseducation.

ThisiswhytheBiblewarnsagainstangerandthedangeroflettingitescalate.OneexampleofsmolderingangerisCainwhoultimatelymurderedhisbrotherAbel(Genesis 4:3-8).Ragenotonlydestroyedhissibling’slife,butruinedCain’saswell.

Inthefilm,Jacksonwaswellonthewaytodamaginghislife,buthechosetoformarelationshipwithJesusChristthatchangedhisangryattitude.It’sadecisionwecanmake,too.

RESOLVE TO FORGIVESeveral characters in “Decision” are wrestling with lack of forgiveness, one to the extent that it has caused a family rift. Following are questions and scriptures to consider about failure to forgive.

1. Ilene’sfatherhasheldagrudgeformorethan16years.Whatincidentoccurredyearsagothathurthimdeeply?Whathasbeentheresultofhisrefusaltoforgive?

2. TheBiblespeaksspecificallyaboutforgivingsomeonewhenwefeelwronged.ReadLuke 17:4 and Matthew 18:21-22toseehowmanytimesweshouldforgiveaperson.Whydothescripturestellustoforgivesomanytimes?

3. Thinkaboutatimeyouhavebeenwrongedbyanotherperson.Haveyouforgiventhem?Read1 John 1:9, Jeremiah 3:22, Psalm 103:3-12 and Ephesians 4:32againandexplainwhyGodexpectsustoforgiveothers.

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LESSON TO LEARN:WhenIlene’sdadchoosestonotforgivehisdaughterforherpregnancyandearlymarriage,hesetsupasituationthatcreatesbrokenrelationships.GrandsonJacksonmissesoutonspecialmemorieswithhisgranddad,Ilenelosessupportandaconnectionwithherfamilyasayoungmother,andherfathersuffersfromneverbeingabletoaskforgivenessfromhisnowdeceasedson-in-law.Allisatragiclossandtheresultofdecidingtoholdagrudge.Forgiveness—andlove—shouldn’thavealimit!WeareclearlyremindedintheBibletoforgiveothers,evenseventytimesseven.Aforgivingandcompassionatespiritbringsuspeace,besideswhatagenuinepardondoesfortheotherperson.Choosingtoforgivesomeonealsoprotectsusfromcreatingfurtherproblems—oftenlong-term—suchasbrokenrelationships,asseeninthefilm.BecauseGodhasforgivenusofoursins—theultimatepardon—wemustmakethedecisiontoforgiveothers.

DETERMINE TO TRUST GODWhen Ilene’s husband loses his life in a tragic accident, troubles seem to multiply. Let’s look at promises in the scriptures that encourage us to trust God in all situations.

1. FinancialstressoverwhelmsIleneintheaftermathofherhusband’sdeath.Discusshowthefollowingversesbringcomfort:Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 40:31, 43:2 and Psalm 9:9.

2. Besidesworriesaboutfinances,Jackson’smomhasdeepconcernsaboutherson.Explainhowthesescripturescanbringpeaceinthemidstofadversity: I Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28, Philippians 4:6-7.

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3. IfyouwereIlene,facingtheprospectoflosingyourhome,strugglingtoputfoodonthetableandfacingmountingexpensessuchasbillsandlawsuits,describehowMatthew 6:25-34wouldmakeyoufeel.

LESSON TO LEARN:Whentroublescome—andtheywill—despair,fearandworrycanoverpowereventhestrongestindividual.Inthefilm,weseehowIlenefeelscrushedbymountingdebt,anangrysonandgriefforherlatehusband.ThisiswhenGod’sWordcanbringcomfortintimesofadversity.ThepromiseswefindintheBiblereassureusthatGodcaresforus,countsourtears(Psa. 56:8, 11)andsuppliesourneeds.Althoughwecan’tcontrolthefuture,asChristiansweknowGodisincontrol.Still,ittakesaconsciousdecisiontoletgoofourburdens,givethemtoHimandthentrust.

CHOOSE LIFEIn the film, tragedy strikes and drastically alters the future for the young family. Let’s consider how God has a plan for us even when ours falls apart.

1. Jacksonisatacrossroadswhenhisgranddadchallengeshimtochooselifeinsteadoffeelingsorryforhimself.HowwouldJackson’slifehavebeendifferentifhehadchosentostayhomeratherthanlivewithhisgranddadforashorttime?

2. IleneisofferedanopportunitytoseekcounselingfromPastorHaywood.Howdidherdecisiontofollowthereverend’sadvicegiveheranewdirectioninlife?

3. ReadProverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.Ineachscripture,explainhowtheseversesofferreassuranceof“life”despiteadversityandachangeinourplans.

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LESSON TO LEARN:LifeisturnedupsidedownwhenJackson’sfathermeetsanuntimelydeath.Plansthatthefamilyhadmadetogetherwerenolongerpossible.Nevertheless,inthemidstoftheirtroubles,Godoffersopportunitiestogivethemhopeandanewlife.

WeseethisillustratedinthefilmwhenJacksonmakesuphismindtolivewithhisgranddad.Asaresult,theteenlearnsresponsibility,becomesamanwhencrisisstrikesandsurrendershislifetoChrist—adecisionthatcompletelychangeshislife.

Inmuchthesameway,Ilenechoosestofollow-uponPrincipalFoster’swiseadvicetoseekcounsel.Consequently,shereturnstoreadingherBibleandattendingchurch,allowingGodtoleadhereachdaynomatterwhatitmightbring.Inspiteofthefamilytragedy,Godhadaplanandprovidedachanceforanewlife.Foreachperson,thedecisionwastheirstoeithertakeorrefusetheopportunity.

Lifeisaboutchoice.Wecaneitherbecomebitterorbetter.Ifwechoosealifefocusedonfaith,believingGodhasaplanforourfuture,itwillbeadecisionthatrenewsourheartwithstrengthandjoy.(Isaiah 40:31)

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GO FOR GRATITUDEThe trials that befall Jackson and his mom after Steve’s death leave little room for gratitude. A host of problems lay in the wake of their husband and father’s death. Let’s consider what the Bible has to say about being thankful, even when it feels impossible.

1. OverwhelmedbythedeathofJackson’sfather,bothIleneandhersoncannotseeanythingpositiveintheirlives.Listthereasons—besidesthelossofSteve—thatgivethem“aright”torejectanattitudeofgratefulness.

2. Thescripturesspeakoftenaboutbeingthankful.Readthefollowingversesandthennotewhatwecanbethankfulforevenintimesoftrouble:1 Chronicles 16:34, 2 Corinthians 9:15, 1 Timothy 4:4, Psalm 106:44 and Proverbs 17:17.

3. GratitudeisanattitudeencouragedintheBible.ReadPhilippians 4:8, Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 2:7andthencreatealistofwhatJacksonandhismomhavetobegratefulforevenintoughtimes.Now,developyourowngratitudelist.

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LESSON TO LEARN:Thankfulnessisanattitudeoftheheart—adecisiontoseewhatisgoodaboutourlives,ratherthanwhatisn’tperfect.Certainly,Jacksonandhismomhavemuchtocloudtheirvisionofwhatispositiveintheirworld.Afamilytragedythatbringswithitlawsuits,lossofincome,medicalbills,funeralexpenseandamissingparentwhooncelovedandsupportedthemisonlyapartiallistoftheirmisery.

However,theBibleremindsusbethankfulalways.EvenintimesoftroublewehaveaGodwholovesusandHisSonwhoisagifttous.InIleneandherson’ssituation,theycanstillbegratefulfortheirhome,foodonthetable,ajobatthebank,communityandchurchresources,familywhocanassist,andanewfoundfaith.

DevelopinganoutlookofgratefulnessisadecisiontokeepourmindonGod’sblessings.AgreatwaytobegineachdayiswiththisBibleverse:“ThisisthedaytheLordhathmade;wewillrejoiceandbegladinit.”(Psalm 118:24).It’saperspectiveofthankfulnessforallGodhasplannedforus—a“goforit”attitudeofgratitude!

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ALLOW HEALINGOne tragic moment in time changes life for Jackson and his mom, an event that brings deep, long-lasting grief to both. Review the questions and scriptures below and reflect on God’s role in healing a grieving heart.

1. WiththedeathofJackson’sfather,hisgriefisprolonged.PutyourselfinJackson’s“shoes”anddescribethevariouschangesandrevelationsinhislifethatarecreatingintensesadness.

2. AtthesametimeJacksonexperiencesgrief,sodoeshismother,Ilene.ReadthefollowingBibleversesandexplainhowthesescripturescanbringcomforttothisfamily:Psalm 22:24, 34:18-19, 147:3, Isaiah 66:13, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

3. BothJacksonandhismomreceiveadvicefromdifferentsourcesaboutallowingthemselvestohealfromtheirgrief.Thinkbackonthefilmanddescribethescenesthatareaturningpointforeachone.ReadEcclesiastes 3:4andreflectonhowthisverseisapplicabletoJacksonandhismother.

LESSON TO LEARN:Whenweareinthemiddleoflife’sstorm,particularlythedeathofalovedone,itmayfeelimpossibletoeverhavejoyoranormalexistenceagain.SuchwasthesituationforJacksonandhismomwhoonceenjoyedafatherandhusband’slove.Nowtheirlivesareinchaos.Jacksonisfacedwithpeersaccusinghislatedadofbeingamurdererwhilefactsshowanaccidentaldeath;andtherevelationthatJacksonwasthereasonforthebrokenrelationshipbetweenhismotherandgrandfather.Ilenegrievesforthelifeshehad—financialsecurity,atwo-parenthomeandalovingrelationshipwithSteve.

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Extendedgrievingcanturntodepression.However,helpfromfamily,clergyorfriendsmayseeusthroughthedarkness.ThechurchpastorunderstandsIlene’ssufferingandremindsherthatshedoesn’thavetoquitmourning—grieftakestime—butatsomepointshe’lllivelifehappilyagain.Jackson’sdepressionliftswhenhisgrandfathergiveshimtoughlove,forcinghimtomoveforwardinspiteofthepain.

Therearesevenstagesofgriefthateventuallybringhealingaswechoosetotradehurtforwholenesswithhelpfromabove.Godpromisestolistentoourbrokenheartandbringcomforttooursoul.

DECIDE TO FOLLOW CHRISTNeither Jackson nor his mom has been attending church, but the family heartbreak has each one reaching out to God. The following questions and verses emphasize the need for a right relationship with Christ.

1. Ontheirhuntingtrip,JacksoncallsouttoGodwhenhisgranddadhasaheartattack.WhydoyouthinkJacksonwaswillingearliertolistentohisgrandfather’stalkaboutfaith?ReadMatthew 5:14-16andI Timothy 4:11-12, 16andthenreflectonwhattheseversessaystoyou.

2. AtthemomentJacksonaskedJesusforarightrelationshipwithHim,doyouthinktheteenagermayhaveworriedthatGodwouldn’tlisten?ForassuranceofGod’slove,readJohn 3:16-18andRomans 10:9-13andexplainhowtheseversesapplytoyourlife.

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3. JacksonandhismombothexperiencechangeandrenewedhopewhentheyacceptChristastheirSavior.DiscussthefollowingscripturesandthechangethatarightrelationshipwithGodbrings:Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 2:6-7 and Philippians 1:9-11.

LESSON TO LEARN:Jacksonandhismomfindthatlifehasdealtthembothanunexpectedhandwiththedeathoftheirlovedone.Theroadaheadisdifficult—financialworries,grief,strainedrelationships.StrengthforthejourneyisrealizedwhentheybothturntoGodandcommittheirlivestoHim.

EachfindstheirwaytoChristthroughotherpeopleintheirlife.ForIlene,it’sthroughherchurchpastor.ForJacksonit’sthroughhisgranddad’sChristianexample.WhattheydiscoverishowfaithbringsapromiseofspendingeternitywithGodandrenewedstrengthtofaceeachdaywithJesusattheirside.

It’sasecondchanceatlifewiththepastforgiven—anewlifethatbringsdeeperfaith,peace,loveandjoyinallcircumstances.It’sadecisionworthmaking.

For more downloadable study guides and informationon this film and other faith and family releases, visit: www.SlingshotPictures.net

familyindespairrediscoversitsfaithinthis uplifting drama from the producers ofWWJD: What Would Jesus Do?Natalie Grant(Four-timeGMADoveAwardsFemaleVocalistoftheYear)starsasIlene,whostrugglestomakeendsmeetafterthetragicdeathofherfirefighterhusband(countrymusicstarBilly Dean).WhenshebeginstolosecontrolofherheartbrokenteenagesonJackson(Michael Rosenbaum),shereachesouttoherestrangedfatherWyatt(Rusty Whitener),afarmer,totakeinthetroubledboy.Wyattisagoodmanbutsetinhisways,andJacksonresistsWyatt’sattemptstoinstillinhimthevirtuesofhardworkandhisChristianvalues.Gradually,theyformabondthatwillrequireJacksontofindaninnerstrengthheneverknewhehadtoavertyetanotherfamilytragedy.

ThisBiblestudydrawsonthethemesinthefilmandprovidesanopportunityforpersonalorgroupdiscussionofsuchtopicsasangeranditsconsequences;forgivenessisachoice;griefandhealing;theimportanceofgratitude,andlearningtoalwaystrustGod.Eachtopicwillreflectonbiblicalapplicationsandillustratehowlifeisachoice;decisionswemakeeachday—eitherpositiveornegative—havealastingimpactonourlives.

Decision brings us face to face with thereality of tragedy and how quickly life canchange. Lossof amate, aparent, financialdifficulty, as well as unbearable sorrow canoverwhelm in the aftermath. In this study,wewillexplorehowfaithandGod’sWordcanbringhelpforthelongjourneythroughgrief.

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