Beyond the Gates of Splendor

After watching a movie with your children or students, we encourage parents and teachers to look for education opportunities to teach with movies. Here are a few discussion topics that can help with lesson plans or teaching in the home.

What do you think enabled Elizabeth and Rachel to forgive those who had killed their family members? Could you have done the same? How did their example change the lives of the Waodani? How did living with the Waodani change the missionaries?

Why was it impossible for the missionaries to bring only religion to this primitive people? How have the cultural influences changed the Waodani? What do you feel have been the gains and losses for this ancient people? What do you think would have happened to the Waodani if the missionaries had not contacted them?

What decision did the missionary men make about taking arms with them when they attempted to contact the Waodani? How did that choice reflect their faith and conviction to their cause? Had they made a different decision, how might that have affected the outcome of this remarkable story?

Video alternatives…