To Save a Life

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.

This movie is one parents should view with their teens, or prior to having them see it. Prepare to discuss such topics as suicide prevention, peer groups, and religion/spirituality.

What role does faith, in this case Christianity, play in the lives of these young people? Do you think the portrayal of religion in this film is realistic? While he is at first attracted to religion, Jake becomes discouraged with the activities and attitudes of some members of the church. Is his criticism justified?

It’s unknown if Jake’s dad is aware of his son’s risk-taking behaviors, but when the teen begins going to church his father suddenly becomes worried about how religion may affect his son’s academic plans. Is his father justified? Why is religion sometimes more concerning to parents than drinking, drugs or other activities? Is one easier to "hide" from parents than the other?