Bible Study for the ABC Series LOST

by Benjamin Kendrick, Youth Director, Mountain View UMC, Boulder
4th Season Curriculum
3rd Season Curriculum - Other Links

Introduction
LOST is a show about faith. J.J. Abrams, the show’s producer, said it on stage at the Golden Globes in 2006 when the show won for best drama series; but J.J. Abrams didn’t have to tell some of us - we already knew. For the last two years I, a fan of the show and its theological applications, have been preparing and facilitating a weekly class for youth, young adults, and adults based on the LOST television series. This curriculum is available to you now for download through RMCUMC.org free of charge (Creative Commons license).

It should be mentioned that this curriculum is not a conventional bible-study. Which, I believe, is a good thing. The best way to reach out to people outside the church, as well as re-energize those within it, is to offer them something fresh, something different, something that takes us out of our comfort zone. The format of each LOST episode, which is centered on a single character through present island events and pre-island flashbacks, give a direct channel into the moral and spiritual struggles that Christians face each day. Since there are a diverse group of characters featured we as a viewing audience have a variety of angles to talk about our faith. I feel it necessary to mention that LOST is not a show that you can jump into and understand the first time you watch an episode. There are many layers and a lot of mysteries yet to be solved. But I am confident that if you have faith, which is what the show is all about - remember, this curriculum will be quite fun and rewarding.

Each episode’s curriculum will be available, by PDF download, by the end of the day each Friday following the episode airdate. This allows you to hold the discussion class before the next episode airs, whether on Sunday morning, or as I do, the following Wednesday night an hour before the new episode airs - allowing us discussion time followed by fellowship time during the episode. Whenever you choose to use the curriculum, one extremely powerful tool at your disposal I would mention is the ability to utilize this curriculum in the present tense. Past episode curriculums are available to you, and they have a lot of good stuff in them, but keep in mind new guides are available to you each week, use this momentum, and the addictive nature of the show to get people involved and keep the interest high. We’re not going back a year and talking about what happened. This curriculum is organic and a big part of its appeal is grounded in the fact that we’re not completely sure where we’ll be next week, what new things will be revealed.

In addition, keep in mind that these are only discussion outlines, they are not finite and unchangeable. I do not regard myself in any particularly high esteem. The take you and your class have on each show is just as important as mine. I hope you enjoy and use this curriculum and that it serves its intended purpose - to offer people a new and exciting means by which to challenge and grow in their faith. It’s a show about faith - remember?

If anyone has any questions, do not hesitate to contact me by email at crossfyreyouth@aol.com or by phone at Mountain View United Methodist Church in Boulder, CO at 303-494-5025.

Peace,
Benjamin Kendrick