Lights, Camera, Action! – Outdoor Movie Night

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Introduction

Summer calls us to a slower pace and invites us to enjoy rest and relaxation. What could be more relaxing than a movie during the dog days of summer? When fireflies come out to play, it’s time to string lights and hosts an outdoor movie night. A popcorn bar, firepit, blankets, and smores will enhance the festivities.

Popcorn Bar

Popcorn is a must for a movie night. Pinterest is an excellent resource for a popcorn bar. You could also decorate the popcorn bar based on the movie’s theme. Regardless of your theme, you will need the following items:
Individual containers or bags for popcorn.
Provide both savory and sweet seasonings. You can usually find a few flavors in the popcorn aisle of your local grocery store. A more comprehensive range of options is available on Amazon. You will also want to get a can of butter spritzer. This makes the seasonings stick to the popcorn—purchasing some popcorn bags or boxes from your local party supply store or Amazon.
Here’s a list of suggested toppings:
Cookie Crumbles
M&M’s
Chocolate Covered Raisins
Trail Mix
Sprinkles
Gummy Bears
Pretzels

Game

Print out movie-themed icebreaker questions from the website below to encourage conversation as women arrive. Consider placing the questions in a popcorn box and have everyone draw a question to answer: https://womensministrytoolbox.com/host-a-movie-night/

Movie Suggestion

Select a movie that is appropriate for all audiences. Some good Christian movies include War Roo, God’s Not Dead, and I Can Only Imagine.
Inspirational movies based on real-life stories can be impactful too. Just make sure the content is appropriate for all audiences.
Invite women to share how the story impacted them personally and strengthened their faith.

Additional Activities

Here are two resources that provide movie-themed activities and full programs.

Group’s Blockbuster Movie Events—Relevant Retreats and Movie Nights for Youth Ministry.
Chick Flicks—Group’s Dinner and a Movie Friendship, Faith, and Fun for Women’s Groups.

Devotion

In the book of Acts, there is a clear description of what living in a community with other believers can look like. They shared meals, prayed, worshiped, and met in each other’s homes. In modern culture, we could say, “they gathered in back yards and watched movies together as a way to rest and relax after a busy work week. This is a beautiful description of how we can show up for one another, as a family does.

This “doing life together” can look different to many believers, and as our culture changes and shifts, there are new ways to fellowship and share a meal. Watching a movie as a family is relatively a normal thing. Taking time for one another as believers, as the family of God, makes our bond stronger—makes our church stronger and ultimately strengthens the community we serve. It’s taking time to pour into one another by simply showing up and doing life with one another, just as the apostles did.

The book of Acts says that when the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, and the sharing of meals and prayer, “a deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.” This is what their community looked and acted like:

“All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (Acts 2:43-47).

A beautiful mosaic, a stained-glass window of God’s people coming together in harmony with one another. There isn’t a more beautiful picture than this. Today, the stained glass would include popcorn and laughter.