This is a DISCUSSION guide, designed to get your kids talking and open up opportunities to share related Bible themes. Be sure to listen as much as you teach.

Lesson Theme: Bravery

Scene: Hermione says, “Me? ... Just books and cleverness. There are more important things, like friendship and bravery.

Discussion Question: Where do you remember the characters being brave? When have you had to be brave?

Related Bible Verse: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Lesson Theme: Choices and consequences

Scene/s: Repeatedly, Harry and his friends made good and difficult choices. Remember when Harry chose “Not Slytherin!” while being sorted? And when he chose “the right sort” of friends instead of accepting Malfoy’s offer to be with his group? And when Voldemort tempted him to give him the Sorcerer’s Stone and join the side of evil? And when Ron chose to sacrifice himself in the living chess game so Harry and Hermione could go on?

Discussion Question: How might the story have ended differently if characters had made different choices? When has it been hard to make a good decision? When have you made a good choice that led to good consequences? When have you made a wrong choice that led to bad consequences?

Related Bible Verses: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).  Continue reading Galatians 6:7-10.

Lesson Theme: Friendship

Scene: Ron sacrificing himself in the living game of wizard’s chess; Harry and Ron risking their lives to save Hermione.

Discussion Question: Have you ever had to take a risk to protect or help one of your friends? Have you ever had a friend take a risk to help you? (Probably not risking their lives, but maybe risking the loss of other friends, or not being ‘in’ with another group of kids.)

Related Bible Verses: Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).

Lesson Theme: The power of love.

Scene: Dumbledore explaining why Voldemort couldn’t destroy Harry. Harry’s mom sacrificed her life to save him. That act gave Harry a protection that stayed with him forever, so the evil one couldn’t touch him!

Discussion Question: How is what Harry’s mom did to protect Harry from Voldemort’s curse for him like what Jesus Christ did to show God’s love to us and protect us from the curse of death?

Related Bible Verse: “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us -- for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE --” (like Jesus did when he died on the cross) (Galatians 3:13).

Lesson Theme: The quest for eternal life and gold.

Scene: Where Hermione reads what the Sorcerer’s Stone does.

Discussion Question: What would most people do to find eternal life and unlimited wealth? God offers people eternal life in heaven where the streets are paved with gold, and the walls encrusted with precious jewels. Why do you think some people don’t seek this? What have you done to seek (or receive) the eternal life and heavenly riches God offers? What would you do to be sure you have eternal life?

Related Bible Verses: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God [Jesus], in order that you may know that you have eternal life” 1 John 5:13). Also read Revelation chapters 21 and 22.

Lesson Theme: The danger of believing a deceptive philosophy

Scene: Where Voldemort pronounces his philosophy as, ““There is no good or evil, only power and those too weak to seek it.”

Discussion Question: How was what happened to Professor Quirrel in the end relate to having believed Voldemort’s philosophy? Do you know people who believe this philosophy in real life? How do you think that might affect their choices and the outcome of their lives?

Related Bible Verse: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

Lesson Theme: How each person can contribute unique talents and character strengths to the group and society; that we should each do OUR part instead of comparing ourselves negatively to others who have different talents.

Scenes: Through the trap door and at the end-of-year awards banquet

Discussion Question: How did Hermione, Ron, and Harry each use their unique talents or character strengths to get through the trap door to stop the evil side from winning? How were these rewarded at the banquet? What talents and character strengths do you have that you can use to help others?

Bible Verse: “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another” (Galatians 6:4).  

Lesson Theme: Dangers of talking too much.

Scene: “I shouldn’t have said that.” ~ Hagrid

Discussion Question: What did Hagrid tell the “stranger” in the pub that let Voldemort get past Fluffy? How did this put everyone at great risk? When have you said something that you shouldn’t have said? When have you hurt someone because you didn’t control your tongue? When has someone hurt you by saying something they shouldn’t have said?

Bible Verse: “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” (James 3:5).     

Lesson Theme: Resisting temptation

Scene: Harry’s temptation by Voldemort

Discussion Question: Temptation is usually something you really want, something that could be good, but would require you to do something wrong or side with evil to get it. What do you think might have happened if Harry had agreed to go over to Voldemort’s side hoping to be reunited with his parents? Was wanting to be with his parents a bad thing to desire? When have you wanted something that could have been a good thing, but been tempted to do something wrong to get what you wanted? How can you resist giving in to evil and temptation like Harry did?

Bible Verse: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust” (James 1:12-14).

Top

Contact the Webmaster

Table of Contents