Session 12: Walking as Family
Suggested Week of Use: November 17, 2019
Core Passages: Ephesians 5:22—6:4
News Story Summary
The movie Harriet, which was written and directed by Kasi Lemmons, premiered in movie theatres this month. The movie traces the story of Harriet Tubman, a woman who escaped from slavery and guided others to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Past films about slavery depict the brutality of slavery, but Lemmons sought to portray the brutality of separation of family. While Harriet, her mother, and sisters were enslaved, her father and husband were free, creating a complicated family dynamic.
Lemmons said, “It [the movie] has to do with watching your sister sold away or her brother leaving his wife right after childbirth or her sister being unwilling to run because she didn’t want to leave her children, who had been hidden from her. That’s the Harriet Tubman story, the story of her family.”
(For more on this story, search the Internet using the phrase “Harriet liberates hidden stories ”)
Focus Attention
To supplement the Introduce idea in Focus Attention, share the news story summary about the movie Harriet. Explain that Harriet’s life is a case study on the trauma created when family connections are disrupted by whatever means. Ask: In what ways do you think the trauma that surrounded Harriet’s family impacted her decision to lead others to freedom? Complete the step as written.
Summarize and Challenge
Before beginning the Review idea in Summarize and Challenge, remind the group of the news story summary. Explain that history (and the movie) depicts Harriet Tubman as a person who followed the guidance of God. Ask: What does God’s guidance in Harriet’s life reveal about the heart of God toward families? Complete the step as written.