What’s Your Response to Power?
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, power is the theme of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Vortigern wants more power and sacrifices everything to get more. Arthur tries to refuse the power that is rightfully his. Both responses do damage. But we find that the struggle has produced character in Arthur that makes him able to handle his strength for good. Join us as we discover God’s truth in this movie.
About Clay
Clay is a teacher, coach, youth worker, popcorn salesman, wannabe farmer who lives in the countryside in Iowa with his wife Megan and 3 kids. He enjoys running, wrestling, fishing, travel and family time. He is on the narrow path, looking for the next first step in his walk with God.
The Quotes
An intimate walk with God is not an option.
Not taking up the power that is yours has an impact on the ones you care about.
Our path of initiation is one of struggle, but it’s purpose is to teach us to use our strength for good.
Character is developed through suffering.
The best predictor of potential is the ability to fail without getting discouraged.
Everyone has circumstances, but the most important thing about them is that they are walking with God in them.
Themes
A man’s struggle with power
Arthur: Doesn’t want the power that is his. Starts small, and struggles through hardship for his initiation.
Vortigern: Wants more power and sacrifices everything he loves to try to get more
The necessity of struggle to produce character
Learning to love the process without winning
Failing without getting discouraged
The parts of you that can’t be king need to die
Resources
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
Questions
How have you pursued power/success/ambition? What was the cost?
How have you refused the offer of power that was rightfully yours? What was that impact?
How have you experienced growth through conflict?
Where can you choose the harder path?
When have you felt pinned by life?
What is your relationship with risk? Do you need to engage more with it, or slow down from it?
What part of you needs to die?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.
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