Movie Overview

January 30, 2022

Film Overview/Note to Group

From the creators of Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel comes Courageous, a powerful film that explores the concept and practice of biblical fatherhood. Set in Albany, Georgia – a town facing the effects of fatherlessness as evidenced by the increase in gang activity and present, yet passive fathers – four sheriff’s deputies strive to serve and protect the community; unfortunately, their fierce commitment to the job doesn’t always translate to the home front. When tragedy strikes, the men – led by Adam Mitchell (played by writer and director Alex Kendrick) – resolve to infuse their lives with faith and a renewed commitment to fatherhood.

The film opens with an intense sequence in which Nathan Hayes (Ken Bevel) chases down his stolen car and secures his infant son’s safety. Adam and his partner, Deputy Shane Fuller (Kevin Downes), are the first responders to the incident, and Nathan’s heroic actions prompt them to consider the lengths to which they’d go for their own children. Fittingly, the next scene sheds light on Adam’s relationship with his kids – the role of father seems fairly mechanical, and his favoritism toward Emily (Lauren Etchells) leaves teenage Dylan (Rusty Martin, Jr.) angry and hurt.

But, Adam isn’t the only one struggling. Nathan, the latest hire at the Sheriff’s department, is trying to teach his daughter, Jade (Taylor Hutcherson) patience and discretion with dating. For Shane, life after divorce has complicated his financial situation and created distance with his son, Tyler (Joshua Kendrick). David Thomson (Ben Davies), a newly minted deputy, is troubled by the fatherlessness epidemic because of a secret he bears from college. And Javier Martinez (Robert Amaya), Adam’s friend, wants to trust God, but also worries about economic uncertainty.

The men are fixed in their respective holding patterns. And then a tragedy changes everything.

One day, Adam and his wife, Victoria (Renee Jewell), receive news that no parent wants to hear: Emily, their 9-year-old daughter, has died in a car accident. As the Mitchells grieve and Adam laments the time he took for granted, he realizes that he is still a father. So, with his pastor’s guidance and careful study of the Bible, Adam seeks God’s direction for becoming a courageous, godly father to Dylan. The result is the Resolution, a written pledge that calls Adam to account. When he presents the document to his four close friends, they are stirred to take the oath as well.

After a special signing ceremony for the Resolution, the men endeavor to uphold their vows. David reaches out to the girlfriend and child he previously abandoned. Nathan forgives the deceased father he never knew. Adam begins calling out the man in his son. But, trials soon arise, and Adam, Javier, and Shane face challenges that test their integrity; of the three, Shane fails, and his consequence serves as a solemn reminder of the group’s increased accountability. Soon after, Adam reflects on his recent experiences during a moving speech at his church, and he encourages fathers to stand and take responsibility, to live courageously under God’s direction.

Theme One: Responding to Tragedy Guiding Scripture: Romans 5:3-5 (NIV): “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Scriptures Referenced

• Psalm 34:19 (NLT): “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”

• Psalm 147:3 (NIV): “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

• Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 (NIV): “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

• John 3:16 (NIV): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

• John 16:33 (NIV): “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’”

• Romans 5:3-5 (NIV): “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

• Romans 8:26 (NIV): “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

• 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT): “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”

• 2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT): “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

• 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV): “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Crew Overview

Alex Kendrick (Director; Writer)

Stephen Kendrick (Writer)

Cast Overview

Alex Kendrick (Adam Mitchell)

Ken Bevel (Nathan Hayes)

Ben Davies (David Thomson)

Kevin Downes (Shane Fuller)

Robert Amaya (Javier Martinez)

Renee Jewell (Victoria Mitchell)

Rusty Martin, Jr. (Dylan Mitchell)

Lauren Etchells (Emily Mitchell)

Eleanor Brown (Kayla Hayes)

Taylor Hutcherson (Jade Hayes)

Angelita Nelson (Carmen Martinez)

Donald Howze (Derrick)

Joshua Kendrick (Tyler Fuller)

Anna Marie McWilliams (Amanda)

Ed Litton (Pastor Hunt)

The COURAGEOUS movie and this Bible study sound the call for the:

• father who is always working and feels somewhat disconnected at home

• soldier who has been deployed for months and can’t wait to engage with his wife and kids

• dad who is home on weekends but flies out every Monday morning to work out of town

• young guy whose relationship went too far too quickly and who became a dad too young

• divorced dad who becomes a full-time dad every other weekend and one month during the summer

• stepdad who lives full time with step kids

• single mom raising three children while wearing both parent hats every day

• young man with a new wife waiting for the arrival of their first child

• mature father who looks back on his life with regrets and wants to now impact his grandkids

• dad who never knew his father and longs to discover how to lead his family well

This is a call for believers to take a courageous stand for the sake of their children and their future. This study is for you!

About The Authors

Michael Catt is a husband, father of two grown daughters, and, since 1989, he has served as senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia (www.MichaelCatt.com). With Jim McBride, Michael is also executive producer of Sherwood Pictures. The church’s mission is “to touch the whole world with the whole Word, motivated by a passion for Christ and compassion for all people.”

Stephen Kendrick is a husband, father of four, and associate pastor for Sherwood Baptist Church. Stephen oversees the church’s prayer ministry and produces all Sherwood movies. In addition to this study, Stephen and Alex co-wrote the The Love Dare best seller, The Love Dare Bible Study, and the McBride (center back), the fourth member movie-release curriculum Honor Begins at Home: of Sherwood Pictures’ leadership team.

The COURAGEOUS Bible Study (fall 2011).

Alex Kendrick is a husband, father of six, and associate pastor for Sherwood Baptist Church. He is a speaker, actor, writer, and the director of all Sherwood movies. Alex acted as Grant Taylor in FACING THE GIANTS and as Adam Mitchell in COURAGEOUS.

Nic Allen is a husband, father of two girls, and pastor. After 10 years in student ministry at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, he transitioned to family and children’s ministry to focus on parents, specifically fathers.