(pages provided with scripture references refer to the LIVE Teen Study Bible, New Living Translation.)

p. 1239 – 1 Peter 5:8 (the devil is like a roaring lion)

We are going to watch a few clips from World War Z (the Z is for zombies). The “hero” of the movie is Gerry (played by Brad Pitt). He used to work with the UN, but now he is home with his family. In our first clip, near the beginning of the movie, the day has started out fairly normally, but it isn’t going to stay that way…

 

–          First clip – 5:05 to 8:10 (stop after finding out everyone is ok after the accident)

What were some signs that things were not all ok?  (news reports about a plague spreading rapidly, helicopters, police racing around, and of course, the explosion)

How were people reacting? (panic)  Right, so they sensed something was wrong, but they didn’t know what, then BAM!

Did the reporters on the radio think the WHO (World Health Organization) had done enough to prevent the spread?

The “zombie plague” is spreading rapidly – How?

In our next clip, Gerry has found out that Jerusalem built a huge wall around itself just before the zombie outbreak. He has gone to Jerusalem to find answers. He discovers that the reason they built the wall was because they believed the report they heard – that the plague was zombies, not rabies.

People in Jerusalem have been safe up until now… but they started singing so loudly that the zombies found out there were people there. They found their way into the city. Soldiers are now trying to get Gerry out of the city, which is no longer safe.

–          Second clip – 58:40 to 1:01:05 (stop after “you’re not going to turn”)

Did everyone make it out of Jerusalem? (no – there were many casualties)

What happened to the soldier who is trying to get Gerry out of there? (her hand was bitten)

What should have happened to her? (become a zombie)

Why did Gerry do to help her?

When they were running through Jerusalem, did anyone notice the zombies just run past that one boy – like they didn’t even care that he was there?  (at 59:27)

The zombies seem to only attack what they “sense” is vulnerable to them.  Gerry thinks they left that boy alone because they sensed he was not healthy; zombies need a healthy host.  So, they had no interest in the boy.

They are now at the WHO research facility. In order to test Gerry’s theory, they will need a deadly, but curable virus. Unfortunately, those are all located in a vault in B-wing. Guess what else is in B-wing? The former 80 employees who are now zombies.

Gerry has been able to get to the vault safely. He has grabbed a bunch of viruses to take back with him (he doesn’t know which one will work).  He was about to leave the vault to try to get the viruses back to the safe part of the building, but guess what is at the door?

What do you think he should do?

–          Third clip – 1:39:54 to 1:44:55 (stop when the door opens)

What happened with the zombie? (nothing)

Why did he make all the pop cans fall out of the machine? (they would come to the noise because they would sense someone was vulnerable for them to attack)

Why did the zombies run around him? (he had a virus in him, so he’s of no interest to them)

Reread p. 1239 – 1 Peter 5:8

Just like the zombies, the devil is looking for someone to devour. Not everyone is vulnerable, though.

The devil tries to get to you through temptation and sin. He’s like zombies – he preys on anything vulnerable – it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, nationality doesn’t matter… He’s set on “seek and destroy”.

Sin spreads like the zombie plague. It can be that contagious.  (Some examples – gossip, drinking….)

We do not have to be caught by surprise, like they were in the first clip. Remember how people didn’t really know what was going on? Did they know at first who the enemy was?

p. 1144 – 2 Corinthians 2:11

We are not ignorant of satan’s schemes. We know what he’s up to. How do we keep from being destroyed?

Gerry was just a typical guy. He was vulnerable to attack just like everyone else. So was the soldier in Jerusalem.  As soon as she was infected, Gerry tried to stop it from spreading.

p. 952 – Matthew 5:30

Get rid of the infection. Don’t let sin overcome you. Don’t let it become part of who you are. Deal with it and move on. (Gossip is a good example.)

The Bible does not promise you that sin will go away. As a matter of fact, it says in the last days before Jesus comes back, it will get worse and worse.

How do we keep from being destroyed?  Just like Gerry injected himself with meningitis, we need to inject ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Sin will still be around us, but we will not be affected by it.

To  let the Holy Spirit completely permeate you like the virus did to Gerry, you will need to give your life to God, read the Bible – especially the New Testament – and do what it says.

Christians are like the World Health Organization. We have the answer. We need to get it out there.

Sin will destroy you if you don’t take authority over it. With the Holy Spirit you have nothing to fear.  You are the one with the power.

p. 1169 – Ephesians 6:12-13

We will not be defeated.

We do not need tot fear or worry – EVER.  This doesn’t usually happen overnight. It takes practice – Read the Bible, God’s Word, and put it into practice. And change what you say.

What kind of life does God promise us?  Do we need to be scared?

p. 586 – Psalm 91:1

–          You live there – it’s who you are

–          This chapter is for believers, and YOU CHOOSE what you believe

–          If I told you I am married to Terry, would you believe me? (I am not wearing my wedding ring)  You don’t see any evidence. You choose to believe it. After you believe that we are married, things make sense, right?

Psalm 91:2

–          Don’t hide it. Say what you believe about God. Repeat out loud God’s promises to you. What you say becomes who you are. Your actions will follow your words.

Psalm 91:3-6

–          11,001 people, and you’re the only one left standing.

–          What happens around you is just that – around you.

Psalm 91:9-10

–          Make God the one you depend on

Psalm 91:15-16

–          He promises a long and satisfying life to people who put their trust in Him.

This is Good News for you. This is the Good News we need to share – the answer we need to get to people. Other people need protection too. God is the answer.