ABOUT THE FILM ailing ranch, brother Howard (Ryan it into your discussion the following Kwanten) wants to leave Wyoming week (or the next time you meet). Flicka is a contemporary mo- for college in Boston, and her mother This will allow your members the op- tion picture adaptation of Mary Nell (Maria Bello) is fighting to keep portunity to view the film themselves O’Hara’s beloved novel My Friend her family from falling apart. (rent or purchase) if they so desire. Flicka. In the film, 16-year-old Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) About the Discussion Guide Discussions dreams of fulfilling her family legacy by working on her father’s ranch in Flicka is a film for children and In an effort to help you reinforce the adults. It provides opportunities to themes and messages of Flicka, we modern-day Wyoming. But, Katy’s provided, or use some of your own. discuss subjects that interest one and have chosen clips from the film that father (Tim McGraw) wants more for To finish, you can close each session all. Themes such as honesty, self con- you can show to your group. These her, insisting that Katy go to college. by giving the brief “Lesson to Learn” trol, respect, and compassion–these clips can be downloaded online at Katy finds a wild mustang, which she provided at the end of the topic. names Flicka, and sets out to make and other topics are addressed in the www.foxfaith.com or shown through her a riding horse. But, Flicka and movie, which is why we’ve created a specially made DVD that you can Lead with Honesty Katy are more alike than she could this Discussion Guide. With this request at the same website. These have imagined. Like Katy, Flicka has booklet, you or any other leader can DVD clips are followed up with Clip: The Letter a disdain for authority and is not utilize the messages in Flicka as a questions and scripture found in the Clip: Katy’s Tale about to give up her freedom without group discussion tool. Discussion Guide. The questions Katy McLaughlin is a girl with big a fight. In the end, her relationship should draw your group members dreams about her future. But, her with Flicka becomes a catalyst for The lessons are supplemented with into a conversation about what they daydreams get her in trouble when change for the entire McLaughlin movie clips you’ve either received or have just seen. It is not necessary to she occupies her time at her private family, which is at a major crossroads: downloaded online. These clips were tackle these topics in a row, or all in school thinking about the wide-open Katy’s dad is considering selling the specifically selected to help you set one session. If you would prefer just spaces of Wyoming. Upon returning the tone and furnish the context for to cover one or two, feel free. It is all home at the end of the semester, her your discussion or Bible study. There up to you. failure to mention her problems at are also suggested scriptures for your school hurts her credibility with group to study in depth, and we’ve First of all, introduce the discussion her parents. In the second scene, provided several discussion provok- by saying something like this: “We’re Katy tells her family about a wild ing questions based on the different going to talk about some topics from cougar and the mustang that saved scenes. This guide is an easy to use the film Flicka. These include the her. Her family has a hard time be- way to kick-start interesting discus- importance of honesty, why self- lieving her story. sions within your small group, and control and respect are necessary, and it works without any of your group how our compassion touches others. Questions having seen the film. However, it is We have some scenes from the movie For Katy, life seems idyllic at recommended that you announce that we are going to look at and then the McLaughlin home. Summertime your intentions of using the film clips analyze to see what we can learn with her family, warm breezes, and ahead of time. For example, the week from them.” the fragrance of open spaces bring joy before you intend to have a clip-ori- to her heart. But, something happens ented discussion, you might show the Next, give a brief overview of the shortly after she arrives home that film trailer (included with the clips) film. Then, play the clip you have drastically changes the atmosphere. to your group or congregation and let selected. Once the clip plays, then What is it? them know that you will incorporate open the floor for discussion, using the questions and scriptures that are 1 When the letter arrives at their Lesson To Learn When we omit the truth or “stretch” HARNESS it a bit, we lose the trust of others. DETERMINATION home from Katy’s school, what reac- Katy McLaughlin is a free spirit and For example, Katy returns from tion does her Dad have? Why is he sometimes it gets her into trouble. her ride exclaiming that there was a Clip: Wild Herd upset? What bothers him more, the For instance, when she is supposed cougar that had been scared away by Clip: Sold! money that has been wasted on her to be taking her final exam, she ends the wild mustang. Although her fam- Katy McLaughlin is a girl who has education, or Katy not telling him up daydreaming about the ranch and ily believes that she saw the beautiful a strong spirit and knows what she about her failed exam? What may the wide-open spaces of Wyoming. mustang, they are skeptical that the wants. Once Katy sees the mustang have been Katy’s reason for omitting Although her heart’s desire is to be horse scared away a cougar. In fact, in the wild, she dreams of making it the truth? at home rather than in school, she they don’t really believe that she saw her own. However, her Dad warns still has a responsibility to finish the one. Of course, this angers Katy since Katy to leave the horse alone. When If Katy had been honest about school year by doing her best. she doesn’t, there are consequences failing the final exam, and had told she is telling the truth, but perhaps she has a past history of exaggerating for her actions–actions that threaten her parents as soon as she got home, the herd and her own life. how would Katy’s relationship with or telling “fibs” that has contributed to the disbelief she confronts upon her Dad have been different? What Questions has she lost because she wasn’t com- returning from her ride. pletely truthful? A strong spirit with lots of de- There’s a reason God wants us to termination describes Katy perfectly. Katy loves the solitude of the be truthful in all things and why he How would you describe yourself? ranch and the opportunity to go into commands us not to lie. Each day, What personality traits do you have the countryside for a horseback ride. you are building who you are and that are good, but might get you into When she returns home with the who you will be someday. According trouble sometimes? (Think about story about the wild mustang, and to the bible (Proverbs 22:1), having Katy and how her determination how it scared away the cougar, why It isn’t surprising that her Dad and a reputation for honesty, and being works when training horses, but can doesn’t her family believe her? What Mom are unhappy when they learn trustworthy, is more valuable than work against her when she doesn’t does it mean to “stretch the truth?” that she has failed her final exam. any amount of money. Throughout stick to the rules.) Based on her family’s reaction, do you Even more disappointing to them history, there are examples of men think this is the first time Katy has is the fact that she didn’t tell them. and women who were given a Katy’s dad sees nothing but stretched the truth? When Katy omitted the truth and chance at greatness and prosper- trouble ahead when Katy discov- ignored the fact that she had jeop- ity because of their reputation and ers the wild mustang. Still, Katy is Saying that someone “stretches ardized her education, it was a huge strength of character. Can you think determined to make the high-spirited the truth” is another way of saying disappointment. Certainly, the family of any? God has a plan for all of our horse hers. What action does Katy that they exaggerate or “fib” a little. has made sacrifices to send Katy to a lives and he wants us to be a person take after she has been told to leave Have you ever “stretched the truth?” private school, but more importantly, that he can bless and develop. God is the mustang alone in the country- If so, why? Is a “fib,” “white lie” or her parents’ dream for her is that she protecting us with rules that He has side? Why do you think Katy’s dad “stretching the truth” really lying? will grow up to be a truthful young given us in His Word. Through God’s made up this rule for her? Read Proverbs 6:16-19 and Proverbs woman. Even though Katy may have word, we are given a map to our own 19:5.