'Night At The Museum' (2006)
MPAA G
By Rev. Robin Blair
Menu Plan | Discussion Questions | Scripture Resources | Crossword Puzzle
Can the slapstick humor and computer generated action of a Ben Stiller movie become the vehicle for a faith centered discussion with your children? We think so.
The Story: This movie, set in the New York City American Museum of Natural History, is about a father (Larry) trying to gain his son’s respect. Needing a stable income to support his son, Larry is hired as the museum’s night watchman, a job no one else wants. For Larry, the job becomes his vehicle for finding meaning in life.
The museum reveals itself as a place of magical events, as the dinosaur skeletons, Sacagawea, Attila the Hun, Teddy Roosevelt and other historical residents on display come to life each night to wander the halls.
Larry has to find a way to deal with the goings-on at night, earn his son’s respect and show that he can stick to something.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Dick van Dyke, Carla Gugino, Mickey Rooney and Bill Cobbs, Jr.
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Menu plan
This simple, delicious and good for you menu is packed full of fun!
No time to cook? Substitute where you can and just leave out what you don't have time to prepare.
Remember - with clean hands and a cheerful spirit, the children can be a big help in the kitchen in the preparation of any meal for your family time together. For this meal try inviting them to:
Help with washing of vegetables, gathering of ingredients, stirring the soup and holding the lid on the blender for making of milkshakes!
Help with the clean-up tasks of composting banana peels and vegetable ends not used in the stew.
Set the table or ready the trays.
Write out a blessing before the meal.
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Watching a movie as a family provides an opportunity to draw our children into a discussion of spiritual themes in a fun, relaxed way. Night at the Museum offers a chance to discuss the themes of: family, faith, love, trust and obedience.
Try these ideas at the dinner table the day after the movie, or if you are driving somewhere together. You may pick and choose which question or questions might be helpful in your own family to deepen your faith, strengthen your family relationship or just start a conversation.
Discussion Question after the movie (as everyone helps clean up the dinner):
- How did the father, Larry think of himself as a father before he had the night watchman job?
- How did his son, Nick, think of him?
- Why did Larry take the job as night watchman? What do you think responsibility is?
- Sometimes parents and children must live in separate homes due to divorce in families. Do you think they can still love each other?
- What did Larry and Nick learn about one another from all the silliness in the museum?
- What is important between fathers and children?
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Scripture Resources
We found a few texts to support the idea that parenting and family life does not 'just happen.' Family life is a responsibility and a blessing.
Old Testament
We are reminded in this text that family is the center of life in both work and worship. Responsible adults are the parents that teach the children what is important in a life of faith.
Nehemiah 10:34-35
34 "We-the priests, the Levites and the people-have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law. 35 "We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the first fruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
New Testament
2 Corinthians 12:14-15
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
Quran
We are reminded that in our faith we have responsibility.
[2:62]
"Surely Those who believe, Those who are Jewish, The Christians, the converts; anyone who I) believes in God, and 2) believes in the Hereafter, and 3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord, they have nothing To fear nor will they grieve."
If one of these scriptures speaks to you, consider reading it with your children to remind them of the faith centered nature of your family, and how important family is to you.
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