UNIT
Youth & Schools Units THE FREEDOM TRAP
ACTIVITY

What Is Freedom For?

Description

This clip suggests that true freedom is about living with purpose. It contrasts self-focused autonomy with a vision of freedom that leads to flourishing, meaning, and connection.

Central theme: True freedom is found in discovering and living out our purpose.

Free or Flourishing?

Watch & Respond

Watch ‘Part A: Free or Flourishing?’.(0:00 – 2:01)

Students participate in an Image Prompt Discussion using the stimulus:

“What does it mean to flourish?”

 

(The Freedom Trap Slides)

 

Reflective Journalling

Students journal a reflective response to:

“If I decided to use my freedom to focus on truly flourishing, what would I do differently?”

 

(The Freedom Trap Slides)

 

Discussion Questions

Optional discussion questions for the clip: (if you don’t do the above activities)

  • What does a good thriving life look like to you? 
  • What kinds of choices might you need to make, if you want to live a good life – not just a fun one?
  • What kinds of ‘limits’ can be healthy for us? What boundaries do we need to flourish?

(The Freedom Trap Slides)

 

So What Are We Here For?

Watch & Discuss

Watch ‘Part B: So what are we here for?’ (2:02 – 3:06) using the discussion question “How would you describe the ‘purpose’ of your life?” (at the end of the clip) to stimulate a written response or for another activity like a Think-Pair-Share. Then discuss the following questions:

  • Can you think of a time when putting others first helped you grow as a person?  
  • How could caring more about God or other people actually make your life feel more free or meaningful?
  • Why do you think it’s hard for us to focus on our relationship with God or care deeply about others sometimes?

(The Freedom Trap Slides)

 

Bible Engagement

Students can work through one, or both, of these studies individually or in groups.

‘A Blueprint for Freedom’ (Based on Exodus 20.1-17 – The Ten Commandments)

‘What is Freedom For?’ (1 Corinthians 8 and 10.23-11.1 – looking at food sacrificed to idols)

 

Read & Reflect

Display the quote from the book (p.83-84). Students reflect on why God would choose to embrace limits, and restrict his freedom, willingly.

(The Freedom Trap Slides)

 

Read & Discuss

Display Philippians 2.3-13 and discuss the following questions:

  • What does Paul identify as the motives behind an attitude of entitlement and autonomy? (v.3-4)
  • How would you describe Jesus’ attitude to his personal ‘freedom’ and rights? (v.6-8)
  • What does v.13 say is the true source of freedom?
  • In what ways does this passage challenge how people today usually think about freedom, success, and identity?

(The Freedom Trap Slides)