top of page

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - 2021

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - 2021
Movie Info

Rating: PG-13


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


Overview: Shang-Chi, the master of unarmed weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.


Themes: superheroes, greed, power, love, family, friendship, responsible, integrity, sibling rivalry, father/son, loneliness, abandonment, sacrifice, afterlife, magic, temptation, identity, revenge, fear, mercy

The Quick 3

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

1. Family. What are some of the good and bad parts of your family that you received through experience? How does that affect your life today?

  • Wenwu and Shang-Chi both found out the hard way that you cannot always leave your past behind you. At Ta Lo, Shang-Chi was taught, “You are a product of those who came before you. It’s the legacy of your family.” You take away things from your family, both the good and the bad stuff.  Numbers 14:18 talks about generational sin when it says: "The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations."


2. Jesus's sacrifice. Why do you think Jesus had to die on the cross? What is the result of Jesus giving up Himself for us?

  • Wenwu sought out revenge against the people who hurt his wife. He said that his “blood debt has to be paid by blood.” Jesus paid the debt for our sin on the cross, and it cost Him His life. He died in order to pay the price for our sins. Because Jesus paid the price we owed, we are forgiven by God and can be with Him forever. Romans 3:25 describes the blood sacrifice that was given by Jesus - the sacrifice which paid our debt: "For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past".


3. Temptation. When was the last time you were tempted to make an unwise decision? Why was that temptation seem so great?

  • Wenwu heard the voice of his greatest desire. The soul-eaters knew that the ten rings had the power to set them free, so they tempted Wenwu by giving him something he could never actually have. Ying Nan said, “you’re being lied to by a creature who wants to destroy us all." 2 Corinthians 11:3 talks about Satan tempting people: "But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent." A temptation is a desire to do something wrong or unwise.

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. At the center of the "legend of the ten rings" has always even one man. This man had the strength of a god and eternal life. This story is fiction, however there are many similarities with the God of the Bible. Specifically, every book of the Bible points to one man: Jesus Christ. Jesus not only has the strength of a god...He is God. And Jesus also proved that He has eternal life when He walked out of His grave on Easter Sunday. Did you realize the entire Bible is about Jesus? In what ways would you describe Jesus?


3. Wenwu and Shang-Chi both found out the hard way that you cannot always leave your past behind you. At Ta Lo, Shang-Chi was taught, “You are a product of those who came before you. It’s the legacy of your family.” You take away things from your family, both the good and the bad stuff.  Numbers 14:18 talks about generational sin when it says: "The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations." What are some of the good and bad parts of your family that you received through experience? How does that affect your life today?


4. Shaun and Katy were close friends since high school. They had fun together and protected each other from bullies. Katy refused to leave Shaun’s side, even during difficult times. How are some of your best friends? Haver you ever stuck up for them while they were being bullied?


5. Ta Lo, Li’s home village, was full of magical elements and creatures. It’s a land full of history and culture. Although it was beautiful and full of mythical animals, it is also very fictitious. What magical elements of the story do you wish were real? Which parts of the movie could actually happen in real life?


6. When his father raised him to be a trained Kung Fu assassin, Shang-Chi refused to go through with it. He ran away. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. When was a time that your integrity was tested? Did you make the wise decision?


7. Wenwu treated his son, Shang-Chi, much better than his daughter, Xialing. Wenwu didn’t give her the same opportunities and didn’t show her the same preference and affection. She said, “if my dad wouldn’t let me into his empire, I’m going to build my own.” When she got to Ta Lo, she discovered that men and women were trained as equals. Have you ever felt mistreated by someone? How would you respond if someone was treating you worse than they treated others?


8. Shang-Chi’s mother told him his family was cared for by the Great Protector. This was a dragon who protected and defended the village of Ta Lo. God is also described as a protector. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." In what ways does God protect you? How does it feel, knowing that the God of the universe knows you and cares for you?


9. Shang-Chi’s mother died when he was young. What do you think he was feeling when this happened? When was the last time you lost something or someone that you loved?


10. Wenwu mentioned that when he met Li, everything changed for him. He said, “It was like I was seeing the world for the first time. She gave up everything so we could be together. And so did I.” In a similar way, when someone starts to follow Jesus, everything changes for them. 2 Corinthians 5:17 even says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" Why do you think someone's life drastically changes when they decide to follow Jesus? Have you ever had a moment when it seemed like your entire life changed?


11. Multiple characters referred to people speaking to them from the afterlife. What questions do you have about heaven and the afterlife? What do you think heaven will be like?


12. Wenwu heard the voice of his greatest desire. The soul-eaters knew that the ten rings had the power to set them free, so they tempted Wenwu by giving him something he could never actually have. Ying Nan said, “you’re being lied to by a creature who wants to destroy us all." 2 Corinthians 11:3 talks about Satan tempting people: "But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent." A temptation is a desire to do something wrong or unwise. When was the last time you were tempted to make an unwise decision? Why was that temptation seem so great?

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.

:03 Wenwu chases money and power for one thousand years but still wanted more. Greed is having a selfish desire for money and toys. Greed is also a desire that can never be satisfied. When we feel greedy, we want more and more and more and it never ends. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, "Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!" Why do you think greed leads to an unfulfilling, unsatisfied life? When was the last time you felt greedy?


:12 Shaun and Katy talk with their friends about growing up. Sue explained how life is short and fragile, and that there was a time for everyone to grow up and become more serious. Sue said they were running from adulthood. Do you ever feel like the people around you are rushing you to grow up? What are the best parts about being a kid?


:22 A team of bad guys stole Shaun’s pendant. Shaun worried that they would go after his sister next. Have you ever had something taken from you? How did you feel and what was your response?


:33 Shang-Chi got into a fight with his sister, Xialing. He was trying to protect her but she was really upset with him. Xialing felt abandoned because Shang-Chi didn’t return for her like he said he would. What do you think Xialing was feeling? Why do you think she acted the way she did when she saw Shang-Chi?


:43 Shang-Chi is reunited with his father, but they have a very complicated relationship. Do you have a complicated relationship with anyone you love? What makes it so complicated?


:54 Wenwu really wanted his wife back. He was willing to do really bad things in order to save his wife. He even said he would “burn their village to the ground." Do you ever think it's okay to do bad things for good reasons? Have you ever made a mistake like that?


1:06 After escaping, the four individuals had to work as a team to get to safety. Shang-Chi and Xialing had to fight their way out. Katy drove the car through the forest maze. Trevor helped translate for the magical animal named Morris. The type of teamwork was really special. Scripture tells us that the church is at its best when everyone used their gifts and come together for a greater good. Ephesians 4:15-16 says, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." What are your special gifts and talents that you bring to a team? What's the best team you've ever been a part of?


1:14 Katy explains how she hasn’t really committed herself to one hobby, activity, or passion. When teaching her how to shoot a bow and arrow, the Ta Lo villagers give Katy some great advice: “If you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing.” What are you aiming for in life? What activities or passions are you focused on?


1:19 Shang-Chi’s mother taught him to look into his heart. To embrace who he is, both the light and the darkness within him. Our identity is the truest, deepest part of who we are. Have you embraced your own identity? What do you think is the light and darkness inside you?


1:29 Wenwu sought out revenge against the people who hurt his wife. He said that his “blood debt has to be paid by blood.” Jesus paid the debt for our sin on the cross, and it cost Him His life. He died in order to pay the price for our sins. Because Jesus paid the price we owed, we are forgiven by God and can be with Him forever. Romans 3:25 describes the blood sacrifice that was given by Jesus - the sacrifice which paid our debt: "For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past". Why do you think Jesus had to die on the cross? What is the result of Jesus giving up Himself for us?


1:34 Shang-chi insists he’s not afraid of his dad, who disagrees. Wenwu says, “you’ve always been afraid. You’ve been running your entire life”. How fearful would you describe yourself? If there anything scary in your life that you are running from?


1:46 Shang-Chi showed mercy on his father when he was able to obtain the ten rings. Mercy is not giving the punishment someone deserves. When was a time that you received mercy when you didn't deserve it? How can you extend mercy to those that hurt you?


1:55 The enemy dragon was defeated, once and for all. In the Bible, we read that Satan, our enemy, has been defeated forever. Jesus, by dying and raising back to life, proved that He is powerful to defeat death and to defeat Satan. Revelation 20:10 describes this defeat through imagery: "Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." How does it feel to know that Jesus has already defeated Satan? What questions do you have about the devil and evil in the world?

bottom of page