The Youth Group spent the last two months viewing the movie, The
Rookie. This time however we challenged them to write the review and the
learning guide for the movie. This required them to take notes, decide in their
opinion what Bible principles applied to the movie, research scripture and then
write the questions. In doing this they learned how to use the subject index in
the back of the Bible. The following is their finished piece. I think you will
find it is a work of art. For those of you who have seen this movie, we
challenge you to answer the questions.
THE ROOKIE
This movie is a true story about a man named Jim Morris, who had gone through
many experiences in his life. He had many family problems, had moved several
times, and had a dream he never fulfilled. That dream was to become a
professional baseball pitcher. When Morris was younger he had been drafted to
the minor leagues where he blew out his shoulder, temporarily ending his
pitching career. Morris ends up coaching high school baseball in his hometown of
Big Lake, Texas. His life changes when his players learned he could still throw
a mean fastball and urge him to tryout again for the majors.
TALENTS:
Mathew 25: 15 - To one he gave five talents of money to another
two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he
went on his journey.
*Do you think after all those years Coach Morris was wasting his God given
talent? Why do many people let their God given talents go to waste?
*Did Coach Morris’ talent in baseball help him in his relationship with his
family or did it hurt his relationship with his family?
DESIRES:
Psalm 20:4- May he grant you your hearts desires and make all
your plans succeed. 2 Samuel 3:21- Then Abner said to David, “Let me go and call
an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king., They will make a
covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your
heart desires. So David sent Abner safely on his way.
*Was Coach Morris a happy man before his tryout with the Devil Rays? Describe
what was going on inside him.
DREAMS:
2Chronicles 15:7- But as for you, be strong and do not give up,
for your work will be rewarded.
*Should we pursue our dreams no matter what it costs?
*Did Coach Morris need to pursue his dream?
*Was he rewarded?
*Who else in the movie had their own dreams?
SACRIFICE:
Hosea: 6:6- “For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the
knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s
burdens and in this way obey the law of Christ.
*What did Coach Morris sacrifice when he decided to go on the road to play
baseball?
*Why did Coach Morris’ wife continue to encourage him even when she was
concerned about the hardships and sacrifices their family would face?
RESPECT AND WISDOM:
Proverbs 4: 1, 4, 5- My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay
attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. My father
taught me, take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get
wisdom: develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
1 Timothy 6:1- All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their
masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and out teaching may not be
slandered.
In the story when Coach was a child they were always moving, one time his dad
said to him, “It is my job to decide, it is your job to make the best of it.”
When his baseball glove was lost in one of their moves he also told him, “there
is more in life than baseball.”
*What is the relationship between Coach Morris and his father? What did his
father’s career have to do with this relationship?
*When Coach was growing up did his father encourage him in baseball? Explain.
*Why do you think Coach became upset when his father gave Hunter a baseball
glove for his birthday?
*Coach went to his dad looking for advice as to whether he should go on the road
with the baseball team, his dad said this:” It is okay to do what you want until
it is time to do what you were meant for.” Coach went home angry and told his
wife what his father had said. Her response was “Your father gave you good
advice.” What did she mean? Did his dad mean the same? How could this statement
be interpreted differently?
*Compare the relationship between Jimmy and his son Hunter to the Coach and his
father.
*How did Coach Morris’ high school players feel about him?
*Do you think that they made a big difference in his life?
*Do you think Coach made a big difference in their lives?
*What did they learn from each other?
COURAGE:
Psalm 30:5- For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor
lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the
morning.
*There was a point in the season when Coach was going to quit the Devil Rays, he
was angry at himself and feeling lonely, missing his wife and kids terribly.
What stopped him from quitting?
*Was it the right choice? Explain.
*What would have happened if he would have quit?
*Why did the Owl’s baseball team not take their sport seriously?
*What is the significance of St. Rita in the movie?