Related: • My Response • Movie Discussion Guide

Key Bible Verse: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12, NIV).

Bonus Readings: Psalm 27:1-3; Psalm 46:1-3; Isaiah 40:21-31; John 14:1-3; Romans 8:28; Philippians 2:12-13

Signs is the story of the Hess family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who find a 500-foot crop circle in the middle of their cornfield. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson), his brother Merril (Joaquin Phoenix), and Graham's two children, Morgan and Bo, watch TV news reports with growing alarm as they learn that the crop circle in their cornfield is similar to others around the world—all the products of an alien invasion force. On the TV they see 14 lights in the night sky over Mexico City, visual evidence of the invaders.

Merril turns to Graham, a former pastor who has lost his faith, for some comfort. "Some people think this is the end of the world. Is it true? Do you think it could be?"

"Yes," Graham flatly replies.

Alarmed by his brother's response, Merril questions, "How can you say that?"

"That wasn't the answer you wanted?" Graham asks.

Full of fear, Merril demands, "Couldn't you pretend to be like you used to be? Give me some comfort."

Graham explains, "People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than a coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence that there is someone up there, watching out for them.

"Group number two sees it as just pure luck, a happy turn of chance. You can be sure that the people in group number two are looking at those 14 lights in a very suspicious way. For them, their situation is 50/50. Could be bad, could be good. But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that fills them with fear.

"But, there are a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those 14 lights, they're looking at a miracle, and deep down they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone to help them. And that fills them with hope. So what you have to ask yourself: What kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, and sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?"

Christians fall into group number one. We believe God is watching out for us and miracles do happen. The reason Graham had lost his faith, according to the movie, was that his wife had died in a horrible accident. There was no miracle when he'd needed it. He'd moved himself to group number two.

All of us need to grapple with this concept before we hit the tragedies in our lives. What happens when God doesn't perform the way we think he should? Do we abandon our faith in him or trust that he knows what he's doing even if we don't?

Until we believe that God is always good, loving, and perfect, we won't be able to trust him with the difficult things we encounter. When we do trust him, we are able to face even the most terrifying circumstances, knowing that he will do what is best.

My Response

Movie Discussion Guide