Despicable Me

Despicable Me
“Priorities”
Topic for Conversation: Youth will discuss what is priority in their life. Gru’s
priority is stealing the moon and becoming the greatest villain ever. This plan is
disrupted when adopts 3 little girls. His priorities must change for the girls to
know what true family is.
Age group/intended group for discussion: High School or Middle School Youth
Time frame: 45 minutes
Film (Title, year, director, availability - sources and formats): Despicable Me.
2010, Chris Renaud
DVD, Blue Ray, Netflix DVD
Scene(s) to use: Chapter 16: “Sleepy Kittens” 1:02:09- 1:09:23
Description of scene(s): In this scene Gru is putting the girls to bed and
reluctantly enjoys the process. He is starting to view them as family. Later the
adoption agency comes to take the girls away. While saddened, his priority is still
to be the greatest so he gives them up to achieve his goal.
How to set up clip viewing: Gru is a new dad. He adopts three girls, albeit for
selfish reasons, but here he is beginning to like them. As soon as his love for them
grows, his selfish nature takes over.
Questions to ask group and discuss before watching clip:
1. Is Gru happy at the bedtime scene? Why or why not?
2. Why does Gru let the girls go?
3. What is his priority?
4. How does Dr. Nefario influence Gru?
View the clip: Chapter 16: “Sleepy Kittens” 1:02:09- 1:09:23

Theological conversation after viewing:
1. Read Luke 13:10-17 as a group. This is a good story to act out if you want to.
2. What are Jesus’ priorities?
3. What are the priorities of the leader of the synagogue?
4. Who does Gru relate to in this story? (Leader, Jesus, woman, or crowd) Why?
5. Ask youth to make a top 10 list of their everyday priorities. Let them share if
they will.
6. How would Jesus encourage you to change these? (What changes would you
make?)
7. Say this to the group: “Jesus’ priorities in this story are simple: help someone in
need. He goes against the interpretation of Sabbath and heals someone who is in
great need of his help. Many people are offended by this because their priority
lies in keeping of the Law. Time and time again Jesus is confronted with this
choice: love or Law.”
8. What social “laws” are in places that forbid you to love the outcast?
9. Why are we so worried about breaking these laws?
10. Encourage youth to seek out those who are outcast during the coming week.
Tell them you know this is not easy. Encourage them anyways.
Close the session: Gather in a circle, put your thumbs to the right so one hand is
above and one below your neighbor. You are now being supported and
supporting someone. Close in this prayer:
“God, we get confused from time to time. The world says one thing and you
say another. Sometimes the way to go is not clear. We ask that you make it clear
for us, give us courage, and let us be people that love without condition just as
you love without condition. AMEN”