7 Historic Faith Lessons for Children from The American Miracle Movie
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Audio By Carbonatix
10:10 AM on Wednesday, June 4
By Karen Whiting, Movies
1. Discovering the Founding Father's Reliance on Prayer
With requests to King George of England and striving for a voice, the leaders in the colonies sought a peaceful resolution. When that became impossible, leaders from the thirteen colonies met in Philadelphia, in what's known as Independence Hall, to draft a declaration to state their case and pray for God's illumination and understanding.
Looking back, as these men later struggled to create a constitution in the same room in Philadelphia, Ben Franklin reminded them of their faithfulness. He said, "In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor.
The Continental Congress, George Washington, and his men relied on prayer daily. Washington issued orders requiring chaplains for each regiment. To this day, the military includes chaplains as do both bodies of the legislature.
-Read the full text of Franklin's Proposal for Prayer of 1787. What did Franklin point out that made a difference in the original Continental Congress, which they needed as they created the Constitution? What did he say about prayer during the war?
-Discuss the importance of prayer in your family and individual lives.
-Does the prayer of the founding fathers make you want to pray more? Why or why not?
-Abigail and John Adams exchanged more than 1,100 letters during their courtship and marriage, from 1762 until John died in 1801. These also reveal their faith and focus on forging a new country. Read a fee and discuss them.
2. God's Providence in the Founding of America
During the night of March 4, 1776, General George Washington marched the Continental Army to Dorchester Heights, south of Boston, just above the harbor. An unexplained fog prevented the British from noticing the movement of Washington and his men. The move stunned General Howe of the British Navy the next morning, with his ships anchored in the harbor. He knew Washington had the advantage of being on higher ground but planned to attack that night. However, one of the worst blizzards ever descended upon Boston, with strong winds breaking windows and damaging ships. Sleet covered the hill below Washington, making it too slippery for Howe's men to ascend. He agreed to leave Boston for good without burning it. Washington and many people believed that Divine Providence sent the fog and storm; they considered it a miracle.
The miraculous events continued throughout the war. In August 1776, Washington and his army escaped almost certain destruction in Long Island by crossing the East River during the night, where another very unusual fog again hid them. All 9,000 men made it to safety.
Watch the movie and look for additional miracles that led to the colonial army's victory. Later, weather also aided an attack on the British at Trenton.
-Weather played a key role during the revolution. Do you believe these were miracles of God? How else can you explain a blizzard in March with heavy sleet or a fog in August that seldom occurred at that time of year in Long Island?
-Washington lost more battles than he won and yet succeeded in winning the war. What amazed you about the battles, especially if you watched the movie?
3. Protection of President George Washington
Many historians point out how George Washington escaped death many times. He survived smallpox as a young man, a bullet aimed at him by a guide missed him by mere inches, and survived a night without fire after falling into freezing water. Another time, an entire band of Indians missed him at the Battle of Monongahela during the French and Indian War. Washington was the only man on a horse they could not kill, although they shot two horses out from under him, and he had three bullets pass through his clothes.
Washington made note of his escapes. When his mother tried to keep him from leaving to fight in the French and Indian War, he said, "The God to whom you commended me, madam, when I set out upon a more perilous errand, defended me from all harm, and I trust he will do so now. Do not you?
One well-known marksman had Washington in his sights and did not kill him. Washington survived a deathly illness, shots fired at him, freezing weather that gave his companion frostbite, and averted battles where the enemy surrounded him with an almost certain defeat. It seems that God wanted him alive.
-How do George Washington's words show his faith in God?
-Watch the scene in the movie where Washington slowly rides his horse between the British and the colonial army firing lines. How do you think he had such courage?
-How does Washington and the fact that young farmers and untrained men fought the greatest army in the world help show courage? Are you willing to trust God as Washington did?
4. The World's First Government Documents to Declare Rights are God-Given
The famous words, We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, penned by Thomas Jefferson is a cornerstone of the colonial Declaration of Independence.
Before these documents, past and current leaders believed they had the power to make all decisions, and men only had the rights they granted them. Many believed that God gave them their authority.
The leaders who gathered to write the US Constitution argued a lot. They wanted a government with a balance of powers and freedom of religion without a state religion. Without using God, the Constitution is based on Christian principles, including morality, reason, and free will. To stop the fighting, Franklin gave his famous speech that reminded everyone of prayer held during the time of the war. He also said:
All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance. I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid
-Read the entire Declaration of Independence. What phrases stand out to you? What terms are used for God?
-How do the documents reflect the founders' faith in God?
-What points of faith are made by Benjamin Franklin?
5. Be Inspired by the Founders to Live Heroically
Washington's courage and the strength of the leaders who created the Declaration of Independence made an impact. They knew a loss would mean they would all hang. Many lost their wealth, but they persisted, hoping for a better nation for their children.
In the movie, Washington's aide de camp, Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzgerald, shared thoughts about the war. He raced to Washington after seeing his commander survive the shots of the British while between both lines and wept with joy. He and so many others fought valiantly. Fitzgerald was wounded at one point but survived the war and became a politician.
The scenes of battle and fallen soldiers did not cause others to run away. They stuck with their leader and fought until victory. Notice that in the face of the impossible, like moving 9,000 soldiers in small boats during a long night, they succeeded because of working together.
George Washington was a remarkable man, soldier, leader, and even farmer. He is someone to study and live as he did. But others in the film also lived lives well-lived. You can keep reading about the heroes. Also, read about heroines like Martha Washington, who inspired the soldiers and brought comfort to the dying, or Abigail Adams, who raised her son to be a strong leader. Then there's Elizabeth Mum-Bett Freeman, a black heroine who reminds us of her courage to seek help to have her voice heard. It took a nation of people, many unknown, to win the war.
-How does a great cause give you courage?
-How does a leader or coach inspire you to do your best?
-Who in the movie inspired you?
Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/vadimguzhva
6. Patriotism and Freedom Are Rooted in Faith
The words of freedom in the Declaration impressed everyone and brought hope. The true story of Elizabeth Mum-Bett Freeman, also shown in the movie, reflects that hope. After being scarred by her mistress and having heard the words "All men are created equal," she spoke with a kind lawyer who took up her case and won.
Her case opened the way for freedom for all enslaved people in Massachusetts. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, his wife Abigail, and other leaders desired a free country without slavery. However, the Southern leaders would have broken away; the colonies would not be united if they pushed for slavery. To avoid breaking apart, those wanting freedom reconciled to not requiring it in the Constitution and hoped for abolition in the future.
In the movie, Washington spends time with his slave, William. He freed him and his other slaves. Over his lifetime, he realized the importance of freedom.
It took a long time, but John Adams's son, John Quincy Adams, and others carried on the struggle to free slaves. His story is not in the movie, but it reveals he continued to strive for what his parents wanted. His diary from crossing the Atlantic as a boy and serving as his father's secretary as John Adams signed the peace treaty to end the war will also inspire you. As a congressman and president, he argued to stop slavery.
-Why does it matter that some founding leaders tried to obtain freedom for slaves even though they failed?
-Today, there is still human trafficking around the world. What do you think of that?
-What does freedom mean?
7. Verifying the Truth of Our Country's Founding
Throughout history, many people have studied the American Revolution. Expert commentators help share the truth even though some people want to erase it. Fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died, on July 4. That remarkable coincidence was perhaps a footnote from God.
In the film, Daniel Webster's eulogy for these two famous leaders summed up the lives of these men and their contributions to history. Though born in 1782, Webster knew these great men and heard of their heroism from eyewitnesses.
Look up these early American patriots to learn more about them and confirm that everything in the movie is true. You can read the documents and look up the commentators to see what they have written in the past.
Stories of heroes and heroines are passed down to inspire other generations. Some are exaggerated, and really, people doubt the story of George Washington chopping down a cherry tree. There is so much truth to what happened to him and people who confirmed the incidents. Read George Washington's prayer journal and look for other historical accounts to study.
Consider what to do to verify what you saw and heard in the movie.
-Is there a battle you want to look up?
-Is there a historian to check out?
-Are there quotes or speeches you will read?
A Movie Worth Watching Again and Again
No other nation celebrates their founders as Americans do. These great men had visions, courage, and persistence to forge a nation that stands for freedom and was founded on faith.
Find out more about the movie and get tickets Be ready to order the DVD when that releases, and enjoy free resources. More resources will be added.
Related: ‘The American Miracle’ Shows God’s Supernatural Intervention in America’s Founding
