Parenting Lessons From the Movie “Maybe/Maybe Not”

Movies have always held more than an entertainment value for me, so while I gushed over the amazing cinematic effects of the movie and enjoyed the cleverly yet hilarious role execution of the Maybe/Maybe Not cast, I was actively taking my learnings as a parent.

I am going to share three pivotal learnings from the movie and hope you would take the time to watch the movie too, so as to see what learnings you might draw as a parent.

1.  David doubted the existence of God. How is that possible in a Christian home?

Yes, it is definitely possible. For every young person on the journey of discovering faith, there will be moments of doubt, most especially when they get into the university and encounter “diverse knowledge.” Questions will come. More critical, we must ensure we have answers and not rhetorics or fear.

Watch the two responses David receives. His father tells him that doubt is the devil's doorway. His friend tells him that if God is real, He can handle his doubt. Same doubt, two doors, and the boy walks through the one that was left open.

Then watch what fear produces. When his younger sister asks whether she too can decide what she believes, she is threatened until she recants, and her question simply goes underground where no parent can reach it.

There is the spiritual side of faith, and in recent times there is the science that keeps evolving and validates a lot of biblical events.

2.  David's mother seized his phone and laptop, benefits from the God he was doubting existed.

I gave her a momentary 10/10 for refusing to sit and watch (lol). Depending on the specific context, that action may be necessary, especially when dealing with addictions or negative peer influences that a child accesses through those devices.

But look closely at her reason. She did not seize the devices because of what was on them. She seized them to teach him that God's benefits are wages for belief. That is a different lesson entirely, and it is not the gospel our children need to inherit. Act where action is needed and say plainly why you are acting.

There is also the place of prayer and faith, trusting that God will reach David's heart while we stand in the gap in prayer.

3. David's Circle of Influence.

This was the real deal for me. We cannot and will never be the sole influence in our children's lives. They need a community of godly peers and mentors to keep them accountable and help them navigate difficult phases of life. David did not need a crowd. He needed one friend with a seasoned word, and Thompson was there.

Sit With These Questions

1. Who are the key influences in your child's life?

2. If a David situation happened with your child, do they have friends and mentors they talk to apart from you?

3. What, in your honest opinion, would those peers and mentors say to them?

As you reflect on these, I will leave you with the movie link so you can watch and possibly share your own learnings.

As you reflect on these, I will leave you with the movie link so you can watch and possibly share your own learnings.

Watch Maybe/Maybe Not

Maybe/Maybe Not was written, produced and performed by the Legacy Youth Fellowship of Citadel Global Community Church, our own young people, on their public YouTube channel. Watch it, share it, and leave them a word of encouragement while you are there.

https://youtu.be/eJPyGaSvgs0

All rights reserved.

If that question unsettled you, these two resources will help you look honestly at the influences already in your child:

1. Navigating Friends and Family Influences in Your Child’s Life: https://www.lolparenting.org/group/general-parenting-discussions/discussion/6ca4f805-dc0b-4733-a717-00e9c8ba20ff

2. Why I Killed the Innocent Mosquito! Navigating Friend and Family Influences in Your Child’s Life: https://www.lolparenting.org/group/general-parenting-discussions/discussion/0636fa72-b64a-4de8-87e4-4d48dfc144c2