The 2019 Lenten study called ‘A Beautiful Friendship’, based on the movie Casablanca, so inspired a Bible study group at the Benefice of Narberth with Mounton,Robeston Wathen,Crinow,Minwear&Templeton that they intend to continue meeting to discuss other books and films.
This small group explored some of the Easter story’s key themes through the narrative of the much-loved classic film Casablanca which was voted one of the greatest movies ever made. In this innovative and thoughtful new Lent course, they looked at the similarities between the Easter story and their own personal journeys such as hope, sacrifice, love and loss, redemption and wilderness. Many of the themes are universal, transcending place and time, and others (such as the topic of refugees and the theme of displacement) are, sadly, just as relevant in our war-torn world today as they were in the 1940's when Casablanca was released.
Each week the course focused on particular themes explored in the film, planting them in the present day with reference to Old Testament and New Testament passages, and included film clips, ice-breakers, written activities, discussion time, reflections, a final thought and a closing prayer.
Everyone who came along for these sessions loved them and looked forward to the following week. They have since decided that they will continue to study other movies and books throughout the year and their next will be The Shack, by Wm Paul Young.
The Shack is a best seller which explores love, loss, the question of ‘Where is God in our world of full of pain today?’ and explores these themes through one man’s struggle to come to terms with his own suffering.