Giving youth pastors the tools they need to make and shape disciples.

Three Life Lessons For Youth Pastors From Iron Man 3

5 · 06 · 13

 

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I went and saw Iron Man 3 on Thursday of last week. I was deeply troubled that I had to see it at 9:00 p.m. instead of at midnight as I usually do. I was afraid something would be lost with a potentially uncommitted audience (Midnight = Committed).

I was disappointed that this movie did not have as many preach-able moments as 1, but it was not devoid of it’s moments. Last week I shared about using Comic Book Movies As A Catalyst For Spiritual Growth. Here are three ideas from Iron Man 3 that could be used with your youth or young adults to start a conversation, but these principles are for you today. Read  and apply.

1. Worry Is A Distraction

Tony was changed by what happened to him in New York with the Avengers and not in a good way. He felt the pressure to work harder and harder to make sure an invasion like that never happened again. Tony spends most of the movie trying to stop a threat that was not even real. Such is the worry of youth ministry, a false threat.

Worry is always a tool of the devil to distract us from faith. Faith is where the power is. Worry leads us to work harder for something that God has already given us. Tony knew what was important but he let work and worry distract him.

Don’t let the worry of ministry or the work of ministry distract you from the God of ministry.

2. Accept Help From Anyone (Everyone)

Tony finds himself helpless and in a small town in Tennessee. No one knows or cares that he’s Tony Stark. Tony must rely upon a kid to complete his mission. The powerful and filthy rich Tony Stark has to rely upon a kid to house him, feed him and in one scene, save him.

Have you been there? Have you had to rely upon someone weaker than you because you could not help yourself? God has his hand in this. God will use our circumstances to bring us to a place of humility, and finally to a place of trust.

We will not be successful in our mission if we will not trust those whom God puts in our path; even if they are “weaker” than us. Who are the weaker people God has put in your life?

 

3. You Can Save The Whole World and Lose Your Own Soul

Tony was obsessed with keeping everyone safe. He wanted to keep Pepper safe, his friends safe, the world safe. The only person he could not keep safe was himself.

Youth work is dangerous work not matter what kind of city or church you are in. In our effort to save a kid or city we could wind up losing our marriages, kids, or even our own soul.

Jesus said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

The Apostle Paul said, “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

If we do not keep our own house in order, we risk, like Tony, being disqualified.

All in all the movie was good. Not as good as 1 but better than 2.

Did you see the movie yet? What did you think?

Did you draw any spiritual parallels from the movie?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

 

 

 

 

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