FCA Brave

Season 1 : BRAVE Videos

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BRAVE Small Group Video Selection :

Let's Have a Conversation That Matters

Welcome to your first BRAVE conversations. We are updating each video - we should have all our updates done by 3/20/24 ,. If you do not see questions with the video - they are coming!

Intro: Amber Johns

Video is a 3-minute intro to BRAVE.

This video is best for TWO sessions.

Part 1: Shanay’s testimony from atheism to knowing Jesus is a common yet untold journey for so many. Growing up in some of the toughest parts of the Bronx Shanay reveals how God met her right where she was at. 2 videos approximately 25 minute each.

PDF for Part 1.

Shanay Part 2. The second half of Shanay’s testimony invites those with a luke warm relationship with Jesus to catch fire and for those who do not know Jesus to trust him. Shanay’s words and passionate love for the Lord are worth watching more than once

PDF for Part 2

Mallory

Mallory: Video features Mallory, a Division 1 athlete with all the success of a high school phenom. She grew up in a Christian home, but decided she needed more than what she thought Jesus could give. Between partying and seeking approval, her choices led her to a surprise pregnancy just before her college pre-season. This can be split in two sessions or just one . 2 Videos (appox 20 min each. )

Questions to ask:

Why do you think she wandered away from her relationship with God?

How was her need for perfectionism fueled by her success?

Did Mallory, as a child, understand what it meant to have a relationship with God?

What were some of her losses as field hockey became #1 in her life?

What losses have you incurred while playing or while involved in any obsessive relationship?

What do you think about her decision to give birth to her baby?

How did this decision affect the rest of her life?

Who enabled her to be a mom, a wife, a college student?

What decision have you made recently that will affect you for along time?

Have you ever felt that God has left you? Does God ever leave us? What verse supports that? What does Jeremiah 29:11 say God’s plan is for you and for me?

What was God able to do through Mallory? Will your struggles end when you follow God’s path?

Nia : Every female athlete will relate to Nia’s journey in some way or another. These next two interviews will showcase the mental affects of a devestating injury in an athlete. This interview addresses her mental deterioration as an athlete who also knew the Lord. She tackles depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide. Nia’s journey back to a health is critical. She leaves us with the tools to use and the grace God gives all his children. This can be split in 2 videos approximately 25 minute each.

As Nia's basketball career was ending you can feel her dreams die. Has something ever happened to you that was completely different than you ever dreamed?

Nia's pain and disappointed was compounding her depression, what do you do when you start to feel yourself go to a dark place?

Have you ever had an injury isolate you ? what can your focus be if you injured?

When Nia surrendered. her injury, how did you see her heart shift? Can you wrestle with the verse she shared about having joy in perseverance, discuss why this hard.

Does something have a strong grip on you that is preventing you from following Jesus?

How do you handle Jesus not answering the prayers the way you want them to be answered?

What is joy?

Kirstin: A Cornell graduate with everything going for her on the outside, while was suffering from disordered eating on the inside. Her relationship to food trumped everything else in her life including her relationship with God . Kirstin’s story is critical for everyone. The battle for healthy body images plagues Christians and non-christians alike. Video is approximately 30 minutes

Can you identify a perfectionist or extreme mindset in any area of your life?
How can a good intention snowball into dangerous territory?
Describe areas you like to have control over.
Why is isolation a first sign of something unhealthy?
Can you think of some things that you adopted as healthy, that actually was not.... (this does not have to be food related)
Why did Kirstin get upset when she was confronted with some concern, has that ever happened to you and if so why were you upset?
How does following the Biblical "rules" fall short of the true gospel?
How important was community for Kirstin where God was the first focus and sports were second.

Brandy

Brandy – Brandy gives us a super cool look into ethical buying and fashion. She has a heart for women around the globe and gives insight into how we, as women in Christ can affect change in the sex slavery and human slavery industry. She gives us a style guide and opens our eyes to why we as western believers have the freedom to speak and live for Jesus so much more than our eastern sisters. Video is approximately 35 minutes.

Questions

Brandy mentions a little girl who was the victim of human trafficking (something we talk about frequently when addressing other countries), how does this make you feel that little girls sometimes only 8 years old are being forced to work in small rooms?

How does this compare to you when you were 8? -

We sometimes will buy things because they are trendy andour friends have the same clothes, does hearing Brandy talk about these women and children make you want to change what clothes you buy? -

If we increase the price of our clothes to match the hard work these garment workers do, what do you believe is a fair price?

Would you buy the same clothes you do now if the prices match the hard work these women do?

Before buying a clothing item, research the brand who makes it and if they are not a trustworthy or good brand try to find another company (Many companies make the same shirts!) -

Pray for these women trapped in these industries, educate yourself on how they work endlessly almost to make these clothes, sign petitions about fair wages/trade (Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and talk to God) -

Who can you talk to and help educate on these issues?

Think: Before you go shopping help your family and friends and tell them about what is going on and where you should shop instead -

Repurpose clothes!! Take a shirt and turn it into something else or use a layering piece instead of feeling like you need to buy new clothes every time -

Go thrifting! Resources: - True Cost Documentary (Netflix does not have the full version, YouTube has the documentary) - Social Media: Go follow Brandy and see where she is shopping and maybe see what these stores and places have to offer - Poshmark and ThreadUp are some places Brandy mentioned -GOEX Apparel: https://goexapparel.com -Little Giant: https://wearelittlegiants.com

PDF

Margaux

Margaux: A dive into a typical life of the “average Christian” girl who seeks for something she can’t seem to find. Margaux had all of the answers, yet she was determined to find comfort and approval in other places that nearly destroyed her. Video is 25 minutes.

Questions

When we choose to pursue sports and our relationship in Christ, it can feel like we are missing out. What are scenarios you feel like you are missing out on that you notice?

Margaux mentions a ‘why?’ she kept asking, what might God trying to be show you by leaving you still feeling unfulfilled after chasing the partying, drinking, or any of those things?

Margaux talks about how even in her relationship Christ she had this struggle, do you feel the same way?

Do you feel that you try to actively try to find people to meet the needs you have and not realize that God wants to fill those needs in your life?

It may be hard to find community in college or high school but try to find one.

Reach out to various faith-based clubs on campus or in school.

Margaux said it perfectly: Those feelings of shame, guilt, and those negative feelings are not from God. He wants freedom and strength for all his daughters and when you feel those negative emotions get into the word and re-read his promises

Don’t be discouraged if nothing changes right away, like Juju and Margaux said, it’s a journey and we need to trust that God is following us and holding our hand throughout this journey.

Verses about following God’s truth for us and our journey: Proverbs 3:5 Romans 8:28

Jolani

Jolani: An In depth look into her journey with Jesus and how even through the darkest moments of her life God was pursuing her heart. The reality of Jesus became evident, even when life seems to be completely torn apart. Video is approximately 30 min

PDF

Aly

Aly Part 1 & 2. Aly, an RPI hockey player gives a very transparent look at her physical and psychological relationship with her boyfriend throughout her some of her college tenure. She gives a very honest look into her life and tells how Jesus powerfully intercepted her and gave her new freedom and a new identity. 2 video approximately 22 minutes each.