Creed with Paul and Brendan McDonald
Paul McDonald and his son Brendan get into the ring with Creed, the 2015 movie starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson. We talk about our struggle with the question of being worthy. We see identity bestowed with love and affirmation. As in all Rocky movies, we discover that our biggest fight is the one with the man inside of us.
Join us as we discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
When you say yes to something, you say no to everything else.
At some point, children have to leave to find out who they are.
Everything that has hurt me has made me a better person.
Rocky wasn’t just filling gaps in Adonis’ life, but Adonis is filling a gap that Rocky didn’t even know he had.
We need to be reminded of the truth when facing our biggest moments.
What they call me is what I’m most afraid of being.
What’s true can’t be taken away.
In our closest relationships, forgiveness is like breathing. We need to offer it to people who offend us and hurt us, while also receiving it for all the things we do to hurt and offend others.
Our tendency when we feel vulnerable and insecure is to reach for validation and security from women.
When we’re looking for our identity from women, what we’re actually doing is taking. “Tell me who I am. Make me feel better about myself.”
Our identity gets bestowed with affirmation and love.
You don’t have to live up to everyone’s expectations, but find yourself and accept who you are.
Themes
Fatherlessness
Pursuit of identity and validation
Pursuing your dreams to avoid regrets
Adonis fighting the shadow of his father
Initiation of Adonis-he has to step out on his own to discover who he is, suffering is inevitable,
Rocky bestows masculinity and identity on Adonis. Rocky gave Adonis permission to become who he is meant to be.
Doing something because you love it instead of doing something to prove something.
The student receives from the teacher, and the teacher receives from the student. It’s not a one way street.
Most of our fears are about what other people will think. But the truth can break through that fear.
We can’t live past the identity we accept. Rocky believed he was just a trainer to Adonis. Adonis believed he was nothing to Rocky.
Our biggest opponent is the man inside of us. Rocky’s key strength was that he never gave up in a fight, but he was willing to give up the fight to cancer.
Some of our biggest struggles come from the need to forgive someone who isn’t there.
The man must become who he is before he gets the girl.
Building a legacy.
Rocky bestows Adonis’ identity with affirmation and love.
Resources
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” - Luke 12:25-31
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people have come alive.” –Howard Thurman
Questions
What have you said “yes” to that makes you say “no” to other things (think kid’s activities, work, date nights, etc)?
What message did your father give you regarding your identity? What about your mother? Others?
How have the things that hurt you made you a better person?
What are you good at? What are your strengths? How do those strengths also frustrate you, or become a weakness? Example: You might be a passionate person, but criticize yourself for being over emotional.
How would you define legacy?
What legacy was handed down to you?
What legacy are you giving your children? If you don’t have children, what legacy would you like to pass on?
What legacy have you established?
When facing a change or challenge, what would you hope to hear from those closest to you? What are you afraid to hear?
What makes your heart come alive?