The Lion King: 2 teachable faith moments

For two weeks, millions of adults and children will pour into movie theaters to watch the highest grossing animated film to date, the Lion King.  Redone in 3D, the film combines a great plot (said to be inspired by the stories of Moses and Joseph from the Old Testament and Shakespeare's Hamlet), award-winning music, and stunning animation into one of Disney's finest offerings.

But you already know all that.  The big question is what can we take away from watching this film with our children and how can we watch it in the context of our faith?  Here are a couple of moments you can harness to discuss faith and morals with your children.

Opening Scene - Remind you of a Sacrament?
As an entire community gathers, a revered being ascends to the highest point in the scene to smear something on the forehead of a newborn and present him to the assembly amid cheers and jubilation.  Baptism or the opening scene from the Lion King?  Both.




Highlights

• Simba is presented as the son of the king, Mufasa, and initiated into an elite circle of lion royalty (King of the Jungle).  In our baptism, we are claimed as sons and daughters of our God, and are baptized priest, prophet, and king.
• Animals rejoice at the sight of Simba's initiation into their community much like the St. Mark community rejoices when we receive new members in the Body of Christ and our community.
• Simba is smeared on the forehead by the innards of some sort of fruit.  The baptized are anointed on the forehead with holy oil during the baptismal rite.  In both cases, the actions themselves are meaningful and a part of the ritual.

Simba's Self Revelation
After falling away and believing in the lie that he was solely responsible for his father's death, Simba comes to terms with his identity.  [Video Link]


Highlights

• Mufasa's reflection reminds Simba that he is made in the image and likeness of his father, like we are made in the image and likeness of Our Father, Who art in heaven.
• By remembering that he is the rightful king of Pride Rock, Simba remembers his responsibility to his community and returns to rectify the situation.  When we remember that we are the sons and daughters of God and members of the Body of Christ, we should remember the responsibilities to our communities, starting first and foremost with our families and moving outward to the world.
• Simba is reluctant to return because of the past.  It's never too late or too soon to return to God, no mater our past.

Note that this film has several scary scenes for younger viewers, including the premature death of a parent and fights ending with death.