The Family Man | At The Movies | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, July 13
Introducción
One Choice Away
Have you ever stood at a crossroad, where one choice had the power to shape your entire future?
In The Family Man, Pastor Jentezen Franklin takes us on a journey through the life of Jack—a man who once walked away from love and a future filled with family, all in pursuit of a high-powered career. But through a supernatural glimpse, Jack comes face to face with what could have been… and what still could be.
This story isn’t just Jack’s. It’s ours. Many of us have made decisions—some big, some quiet—that set our lives on a course we never expected. Sometimes, like Jack, we chase something shiny, only to miss the acres of diamonds God has already placed in our hands: family, faith, purpose, peace.
Just one choice can change everything. Not because it’s dramatic, but because it realigns us with God’s will. As Pastor Jentezen said, “You are standing in God’s will right where you are.” The question is: will you see it?
- What’s one pivotal decision you’ve made that completely changed the direction of your life? What did you learn from it?
We often chase new careers, relationships, possessions, or places, believing they'll bring ultimate satisfaction. Yet, this pursuit of "better" can blind us to the blessings in our current reality. Romans 8:5 states:
"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (NIV)
Chasing worldly ideals risks missing God's provision and purpose where we are.
Proverbs 14:12-13 warns:
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow." (NIV)
What seems right may lead to emptiness, but true contentment comes from aligning with God's will and trusting His plan.
The "Acres of Diamonds" story reminds us that God places treasures in our current circumstances. Instead of seeking elsewhere, we should cultivate the opportunities, relationships, and resources around us, trusting God's sufficient provision.
Reflection Questions:
- Share a time you chased something "better" (job, relationship, possession, location) that didn’t fulfill you. What did you learn?
- How does Romans 8:5 distinguish between worldly and spiritual mindsets? What steps can reorient us toward God's will?
- Where in your life (work, relationships, community) might God have placed "diamonds" you're overlooking? How can you cultivate these for His glory?
Embracing Trials as Opportunities
We were never promised an easy, quiet life on earth. Many in the church mistakenly believe that following Jesus ensures a trouble-free existence. James 1:2-4 instructs:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)
Just as parents teach children to avoid dangers like a hot stove or crossing a street, our loving Father allows trials to teach us to dodge the enemy’s distractions. We may touch the “stove” and get burned, but God’s grace heals us. Scripture shows that joy requires knowing grief, and happiness comes through experiencing pain. Through trials and Jesus’ grace, God shapes us into His intended creation.
- Can you share a time when God’s grace softened and shaped you through a challenge?
2 Corinthians 9:8 states:
“And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” (CSB)
God generously provides for our needs, not our wants, as He did for the Israelites. He grants favor through divine intervention, other people, or our own efforts. God actively influences any situation, equipping us to do good. In return, He calls us to give generously to the needy, reflecting His love.
- How have you seen God provide for your needs, and how can you give back to others?
Choosing Gratitude and Obedience
In the movie The Family Man (2000), Jack Campbell is living the dream—at least by the world’s standards. He’s wealthy, powerful, and independent. But when he’s supernaturally given a glimpse into a different life—a life where he chose love, family, and sacrifice over ambition—he begins to see that fulfillment isn’t found in possessions or achievements, but in presence, purpose, and love. At first, Jack resents this new reality. It’s messy, inconvenient, and far from glamorous. But over time, gratitude starts to take root. What he once saw as a detour becomes a revelation of what really matters. And when that version of life is taken from him, he’s no longer the same man. His heart has shifted from self-serving success to selfless obedience and appreciation.
This shift reflects a deeper truth found in Scripture. Hebrews 13:5 says:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (NIV)
The kind of contentment Jack ultimately discovers is the kind that comes not from circumstances, but from knowing you’re walking in the life you were meant to live. For us as believers, this life is marked by obedience to God and gratitude for His presence. Gratitude doesn’t mean settling or pretending everything is perfect—it means choosing to see God’s hand in the present, trusting that His plan is better than ours.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
That kind of thankfulness is countercultural. In a world that says, “get more,” Jesus invites us to notice and give thanks for what we already have. Gratitude turns ordinary days into holy moments. And obedience, even when it costs us something, opens the door for God’s greater purpose to unfold in our lives.
Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that life is short—“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”We don’t get do-overs or second versions like Jack did. That makes today sacred. It calls us to live fully present, to love well, and to obey God now—not someday. We may not always understand the season we’re in, but we can trust the One who placed us in it.
- Like Jack, have you ever resented where God placed you, only to later realize it was a gift?
- What would shift in your heart if you began to truly thank God for where you are right now?
- Is there an area where you feel God is asking for obedience that feels costly or inconvenient? What might He be trying to show you through that?
- If God showed you the impact of your choices—like He did for Jack—what would you see? And more importantly, what would you want to see?
Conclusión
By the end of the film, Jack’s eyes are opened—not just to a different life, but to what truly matters: love, family, presence, and purpose. Pastor Jentezen reminds us that life isn’t about the glamorous “what ifs,” but about being present in the blessings we often overlook.
We’re not promised do-overs. “You get one life,” he said, “Live it with your eyes wide open.” Don’t miss your moment waiting for something more exciting to come along. The miracle you’re hoping for might already be in your home, your church, your relationships—right now.
So today, pause. Ask God to open your eyes, just like David did in Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things…”
- Where in your life do you sense God saying, “Stay. Look again. The diamonds are here”? How can you be more fully present in that area this week?
Recursos
· Download this Group Guide