Still Standing continues the tradition of DLT's popular movie-based Lent course series for small groups. Rachel Mann, author of the bestselling course From Now On (The Greatest Showman) has written this stunning new course based on the Oscar - and BAFTA - nominated Elton John biopic Rocketman.
In five weekly sessions, she uses clips from the film, Bible passages and discussion-starters to help us relate the movie to the scriptures and the Gospel.
Session One: ‘I Want Love’ - using clips from Elton’s ‘present’ and ‘childhood’, this session looks at how we become who we are and who we feel called to be. (Jesus’ childhood; Temptations in the Desert; David facing down Goliath.)
Session Two: ‘Border Songs’ - concentrating on Elton’s friendships with Bernie Taupin, soul performers, as well as his manager John Reid, this session looks at how ‘relationship’ can build us up and break-us down; how does friendship and betrayal shape our identities? (Jesus’ closest relationships; Jesus and Judas; Saul and David; Jonathan and David.)
Session Three: ‘Into Orbit’ - examining what success and failure can mean, looking at Elton’s burgeoning success and the shadows emerging underneath. (Jesus’ greatest successes - feeding of the five thousand, triumphant entry into Jerusalem - and the problems this success generates for those jealous of him or fearful about what his ’success’ means.)
Session Four: ‘When Hearts Break ...’ - on what happens when our relationships and dreams go awry, looking at the disagreements between Elton and Bernie and Elton’s marriage to Renate. Why can it be so difficult to say sorry? (Jesus and Peter; Moses inability to take responsibility for killing an Egyptian; Book of Philemon.)
Session Five: ’Still Standing’ - looking at Elton’s breakdown and comeback, this looks at the dynamics of ‘death’ and ‘resurrection’ in everyone’s lives. Do we ever make comebacks? What does resurrection look like in our lives? (Jesus’ death and resurrection - who is there for him?; Moses running away but leading his people.)
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