Ant-Man - 2015

Movie Info

Rating: PG-13

Age-appropriateness: moderate sci-fi action, some language and violence

Overview: Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Themes: superheroes, stealing, repentance, family, redemption, forgiveness, love, father/daughter, sacrifice

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Stealing. Why do you think God commands us not to steal things that aren’t ours? When was the last time you took something that didn't belong to you?

Scott and his buddies have a track record of stealing from other people. Scott specifies that he's not a robber, because robbery involves threatening people. However, he is a cat burglar, which involves taking things from others that don't belong to him. In Exodus 20, God gives us the Ten Commandments. In verse 15, one of the commandments says, “you must not steal”.

2. Redemption. In what ways do you feel like you need to be redeemed? How can you allow God to redeem your heart and allow you to do good works?

Hank tells Scott that he "believes that everyone deserves a shot at redemption." He wants to help Scott redeem himself, making up for his past mistakes and making them right for the greater good. Titus 2:14 says, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." God wants to redeem us from our sinful nature and to make us look more like Jesus.

3. Anger/bitterness. Are you carrying around anger for someone that you just can't seem to let go of? Why is it so difficult to forgive that person?

Darren Cross said that he spent years carrying around his anger for Hank Pym. He was so frustrated that he chose his mentor poorly. Darren is angry and bitter about his relationship with Hank. Darren blames Hank for his failures and frustrations.

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Check out this article on the Strengths and weaknesses of all of the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

2. Would you ever want to shrink down to the size of an ant? What would be the first thing you would do if you could shrink down to that size while also controlling ants?

3. Scott and his buddies have a track record of stealing from other people. Scott specifies that he's not a robber, because robbery involves threatening people. However, he is a cat burglar, which involves taking things from others that don't belong to him. In Exodus 20, God gives us the Ten Commandments. In verse 15, one of the commandments says, “you must not steal”. Why do you think God commands us not to steal things that aren’t ours? When was the last time you took something that didn't belong to you?

4. Darren Cross said that he spent years carrying around his anger for Hank Pym. He was so frustrated that he chose his mentor poorly. Darren is angry and bitter about his relationship with Hank. Darren blames Hank for his failures and frustrations. Are you carrying around anger for someone that you just can't seem to let go of? Why is it so difficult to forgive that person?

5. Hank wants Scott to be the Ant-man so that he can be the hero his daughter already thinks he is. Hank says, "it's not about saving our world, it's about saving theirs." Hank is working hard to allow future generations to have a better world to live in. This is common wisdom seen in the Bible, which encourages people to pass their knowledge of God to the next generation. Psalm 78:4 says, "We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders." What do you think is the best way for parents to pass along their love and knowledge of God to the next generation?

6. Hank's daughter, Hope, is still grieving her mother's death. Her relationship with her father has never been the same since she lost her mom. Hank told her that her mom died a hero. Hope eventually realizes that Hank has been working so hard to bring her back. Why do you think Hope and Hank's relationship changed after Hope's mom died? What do you think Hope has been feeling since she lost her mother?

Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Death/Grieving.

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:08 Scott committed crimes in his past, and he served his time in jail for it. Now, he's trying to clean up his act and he doesn't want any part of stealing anymore. Scott is repenting of his past mistakes. Repenting is a biblical act of not only admitting and apologizing for your mistakes, but also trying your best to make it right by doing what is good instead. What are the biggest mistakes you've made in your life? How can you repent from those by making them right in some way?

:17 Scott tries to be present for his daughter. He really loves his daughter and wants to do whatever it takes to be a loving father for her. He cares for her and wants to be in her life. God has a love for us that is described as a "fatherly" type of love. 1 John 3:1 says, "See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him." Have you ever experienced the love of God the Father? In what ways does God love His children?

:34 Scott gets caught breaking the rules. He is then given a fair consequence, getting thrown back in jail. Hank Pym gives him a second chance, but Scott still feels the weight of his repeated mistakes. When was the last time you made a mistake? Did you have to pay the consequences for that mistake?

:44 Hank tells Scott that he "believes that everyone deserves a shot at redemption." He wants to help Scott redeem himself, making up for his past mistakes and making them right for the greater good. Titus 2:14 says, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." God wants to redeem us from our sinful nature and to make us look more like Jesus. In what ways do you feel like you need to be redeemed? How can you allow God to redeem your heart and allow you to do good works?

:56 Scott helps Hope understand that Hank's actions are due to the fact that he loves his daughter. Hank loves Hope so much that he will not risk her safety. As Scott puts it, "(Hank) would rather lose this fight than lose you." Do you know how much your parents love you? What do their actions say about how much they love you?

1:07 Hank tells Darren that he was scared that Darren was too much like him. Hank was worried that Darren would make similar mistakes that he made when he was younger. Why do you think that Hank would be worried that Darren is too much like him? Do you have any personal qualities that you wouldn't want other people to have as well?

1:25 Darren turns on his mentor, Hank Pym, and is motivated to becoming the most powerful man in the world. He's driven to prove himself by being the most important person on the planet. His motivations are entirely selfish. How often are you motivated by selfish reasons? How often does that lead you to make good decisions?

1:40 Scott was willing to go sub-atomic in order to stop Yellow Jacket and save his daughter, Cassie. He gave up his own life, knowing that it was necessary to save the person he loves most. Jesus sacrificed His life for us on the cross because He knew it was the only way for us to be with God forever in heaven. Jesus saved us from our sin! Romans 5:8 says, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." How much must Jesus love you, that He was willing to give up His own life? What did Jesus save you from?