Lion
2016 — 1h 58min — PG-13 — Biography / Drama
Director
Garth Davis
Writers
Saroo Brierley, Luke Davies
Actors
Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara
Synopsis
A true story of five-year-old Saroo who accidentally ends up on a train that takes him 1,000 miles away from his family in India. Picked up by an orphanage, they place him in a loving home in Australia. But the longing to know his mother never departs, driving him to search for his homeland family twenty five years later.
Redemptive Analogy
Embark on Saroo’s breathtaking journey in Lion—a stirring reflection of the Prodigal Son's redemption, the Good Shepherd’s pursuit, and our own search for Home in God’s unending love. Here, adoption mirrors God’s grace, forging a bridge for gospel-rich discussion. Experience hope, restoration, and the thrill of reunion that echoes heaven’s celebration of the lost returned.
Conversation Starters
In your own words, ask a few of these questions during the natural conversation after the movie.
Impulsive Trust
Why do you think Saroo trusted some people, like the customer at the café, but ran from others, like the kind woman?
Possible Response
Many might say Saroo knew who to trust based on past experiences, gut feelings, or survival in-stincts. God actively protects the vulnerable, sometimes guiding them away from harm with-out them fully understanding why. (Ps 68:5; Prov 3:5-6)
Random Bad
When something bad happens, do you see it as mere chance or as having a deeper meaning?
Possible Response
Many people believe bad things happen be-cause of random chance or karma. However, nothing is wasted, God often uses difficult situ-ations or challenges to refine us, helping us grow and mature. (Rom 8:28, Gen 50:20)
Lost & Found
Have you ever been so lost you needed to be found? What did that whole process feel like? Were you terrified or confused? And how relieved were you when you were found?
Possible Response
Some might have literal experiences of being lost, such as being lost in a mall as a child or a hiking trip gone wrong. Consider using this op-portunity to tell your testimony and the parable of the lost sheep to talk about how you were spiritually lost and found by the love of Jesus. (Mat 18:10-14)
Home?
What makes a place feel like home?
Possible Response
“Home is where the heart is.” While there might be some truth in that, Christians know our true home is in the place Jesus is preparing for us. (Jn 14:2-3, Phil 3:20-21)
The Search
Have you ever felt like you were searching for something but couldn’t name what it was?
Possible Response
Many describe a longing for purpose, happiness, or identity. The Bible tells us that God has put eternity into every person’s heart and, ulti-mately, we are all searching for our creator. (Eccl 3:11)
Asking Directions
If the adult Saroo had involved others earlier in his online search, do you think things would have been different? Why do people struggle to ask for help?
Possible Response
Some might say pride, fear of failure, or vulner-ability stops people from seeking help. God calls us to humility, trusting that He places people in our lives to help carry our burdens. (Jas 4:6; Phil 2:3-4)
Binding Shame
Over the course of the movie, the adult Saroo struggled with a growing sense of crippling shame. What caused this shame and what lifted it?
Possible Response
Causes of shame include the stigma of being an orphan, keeping his search a secret from his adoptive mother, and how his brother, Mantosh, affected his life. Shame says, “I am bad” where guilt says, “I did something bad”. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the ultimate solution to both. He paid the penalty for the bad things we have done, and he claims us as his friends. (Rom 5:8, Jn 15:15)
Who Am I?
Saroo’s quest to find his birth mother was deeply tied to his search for identity. He didn’t know who he was or where he came from. What do you think shapes a person’s identity—where they were born, who raised them, or something else entirely?
Possible Response
Many say family, culture, and experiences shape identity, while others believe it’s some-thing we define for ourselves. Your identity should ultimately come from your Creator. What God says about you matters most and He says you were fearfully and wonderfully made, and He created you for a purpose. (Ps 139:13-14; Eph 2:10)
Unconditional Love
Saroo’s parents strive to show unconditional love toward both Saroo and Mantosh. Do you believe unconditional love can exist outside of a parent’s love?
Possible Response
Many would doubt unconditional love exists at all and might agree the closest we get is a par-ent’s love for their child. As a Christian we know that God shows us unconditional and un-deserved love through His Son. (Jn 1:12-13, 1 Jn 4:9-10)
Never Gonna Give You Up
Saroo’s birth-mother, Kamla, never stopped hoping for Saroo’s return, and his adoptive parents remained steadfast in loving Mantosh despite his difficulties. Why do you think they never quit even when others may have given up?
Possible Response
Many would say the fact the parents in Lion never gave up was because of their naturally unwavering love as parents. This reflects how God never gives up on His children. (Ps 86:15; Lk 15:20, 1 Jn 3:1)