God Is For Us
The Count of Monte Cristo
Clip: Chapter 13 (length about 1:15)
The Count of Monte Cristo tells the story of Dantes, who is unjustly accused
and sentenced to life in France’s most dreadful prison. After 13 years he
escapes, becomes wealthy, and then seeks revenge on those who ruined his
life. Throughout the movie Dantes struggles deeply with his belief in God,
moving from a simple faith to a loss of faith, and finally to a mature faith.
During his years in prison, Dantes makes friends with a priest who's godly
influence has great impact on Dantes’ spiritual understanding. Together they
dig a tunnel to escape, but just before it’s completed, a cave-in injures the
priest.
As he lies dying on the stone floor of his cell, the priest gives Dantes a treasure
map that he’d hidden all his years in prison, which later makes Dantes wealthy.
But it’s the priest’s final words that stick with Dantes forever.
“When they asked me about the treasure of Sparta, I lied,” the priest
confesses.
“You lied?” Dantes askes.
“I’m a priest, not a saint…. When you escape,” the priest continues, “use the
treasure for good. Only for good.”
“No,” Dantes says angrily, “I will surely use it for my revenge.”
“This is your final lesson. Do not commit the crime … do not commit the
crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said, ‘Vengeance is mine.’”
‘But I don’t believe in God,” Dantes says.
“It doesn’t matter,” the priest responds with a smile. “He believes in you.”
1. Have you ever believed that God didn’t exist? Do you know anyone like
this?
2. What were the circumstances?
3. How can anyone not believe in God? What could cause a person to not
believe in God?
Psalm 53
The Count of Monte Cristo
Clip: Chapter 13 (length about 1:15)
The Count of Monte Cristo tells the story of Dantes, who is unjustly accused
and sentenced to life in France’s most dreadful prison. After 13 years he
escapes, becomes wealthy, and then seeks revenge on those who ruined his
life. Throughout the movie Dantes struggles deeply with his belief in God,
moving from a simple faith to a loss of faith, and finally to a mature faith.
During his years in prison, Dantes makes friends with a priest who's godly
influence has great impact on Dantes’ spiritual understanding. Together they
dig a tunnel to escape, but just before it’s completed, a cave-in injures the
priest.
As he lies dying on the stone floor of his cell, the priest gives Dantes a treasure
map that he’d hidden all his years in prison, which later makes Dantes wealthy.
But it’s the priest’s final words that stick with Dantes forever.
“When they asked me about the treasure of Sparta, I lied,” the priest
confesses.
“You lied?” Dantes askes.
“I’m a priest, not a saint…. When you escape,” the priest continues, “use the
treasure for good. Only for good.”
“No,” Dantes says angrily, “I will surely use it for my revenge.”
“This is your final lesson. Do not commit the crime … do not commit the
crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said, ‘Vengeance is mine.’”
‘But I don’t believe in God,” Dantes says.
“It doesn’t matter,” the priest responds with a smile. “He believes in you.”
1. Have you ever believed that God didn’t exist? Do you know anyone like
this?
2. What were the circumstances?
3. How can anyone not believe in God? What could cause a person to not
believe in God?
Psalm 53
Men, Movies, and the Word of God
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