The Unbreakable Boy | At The Movies | Pastor Jentezen Franklin

Sunday, July 27

Escrituras clave

Proverbs 24:16; Matthew 19:13-14; Ephesians 1:7-8; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Deuteronomy 1:31; Proverbs 17:6; Hebrews 13:2

Introducción

Today we’ll explore the At The Movies message, The Unbreakable Boy by Pastor Jentezen Franklin. The message encouraged us to see how love, grace, and resilience are formed in the unpredictable, often messy journey of family life—especially for parents navigating the unique challenges of raising a child with special needs.

The Unbreakable Boy is a true story about family, love, challenges, and resilience, centered on a boy named Austin who lives with both autism and a rare brittle bone disease. Through his father Scott’s eyes, we witness the highs and lows of parenting, the weight of expectations, financial strain, personal failures, and moments of redemptive love. It’s a story that deeply resonates with every parent—particularly fathers—who sometimes feel like they're failing but keep showing up anyway.

Pastor Jentezen used this story to remind us that parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but God’s grace is sufficient to help us. And like Proverbs says, "The righteous fall seven times, but rise again."

What stood out to you from Sunday’s message?

In what ways can you relate to the challenges Scott and Teresa faced in raising Austin?

Facing Real Challenges in Parenting

This heartwarming story of Austin, fondly called Ausman, tells us of a boy who had autism and a rare disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Despite having this difficult condition, he was a child full of hope, curiosity, positivity, and an incredible energy to live, learn, and know everything.

God’s grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV). This was clearly evident in Austin’s life.

Proverbs 24:16 NKJV: “For a righteous man may fall seven times, and rise again.”

All families face surprises, mess-ups, failures, and the non-quittable nature of parenting. Family with imperfect situations or relationships can be challenging, and that’s what living life sometimes is all about. Parenting is hard and frustrating many times, but giving up is not a given option. Austin’s parents, Scott and Teresa faced all odds and managed to care for their son. Scott had his own doubts and insecurities. He felt he had failed his family, especially his son, every so often. He persisted and always supported his family.

We may never fully realize their pain and sacrifices made by the parents in day-to-day life. Let’s show consideration, kindness and compassion for children and parents struggling with special needs kids. That’s what Christ calls us to do, to show more of His mercy and grace to others.

Matthew 19:13-14 NKJV: But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Let’s be right there for these children in our families, schools or colleges, and churches. God loves all children, so let’s love and lead them to Christ.

Questions

Identify any families or kids around you with similar problems and ask God how you could help them or pray for them.

How can you apply the principle from Proverbs 24:16 to persist through surprises or failures in your own parenting or family experiences?

Dealing with Failures and Self-Forgiveness

As children of God, all of us want to feel and appear strong, courageous, and unwavering in the face of life’s challenges, and the arena of parenting is no exception. No one wants to fail or be perceived as weak, but the fact is that we all will and do fail. We all have weaknesses and breaking points. This was poignantly portrayed in the movie when Scott, the father is brought to his breaking point failing to cope with his son’s autism, hereditary bone disease, and accompanying stresses. As pressures mount, Scott makes bad choices at a party, embarrasses himself and his family, and endangers his children. His imaginary friend Joe, really Scott’s conscience, tells him he is a failure as a husband, a father, and as a man. Many can relate to Scott’s feelings of condemnation and tend to beat themselves up when they fail.

When was the last time you felt like a failure as a parent (or as a husband, wife, friend, etc.)?

What was your self-talk like at that moment? Did you give yourself a verbal “beating” like Scott’s imaginary friend gave him?

Thank God that the solution to parental and life failures is not found in in beating ourselves up, but in the grace of God and the redemptive work of Christ! Let’s turn to God's grace and redemption instead of self-punishment. Pastor Franklin referenced two passages from Apostle Paul:

Ephesians 1:7-8a: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (NIV).

2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (NIV).

So, if at times as a parent or Christian you feel weak and like a failure, you are in good company. Like the Apostle Paul, draw upon the all-sufficient grace, power, and forgiveness of God. The next time you fail as a parent or as a Christian (and you will), remember that God was and is the perfect Father, and his children still failed and ate the forbidden fruit. So draw on the strength and grace of Almighty God.

Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself when you fail or come up short in life?

Are you daily trying to live in your own strength or are you daily drawing from the strength of God?

The Importance of Fathers and Building a Legacy

The Unbreakable Boy is not just a story about a child overcoming odds—it’s about a dad discovering what it truly means to lead, to love, and to reflect the heart of God. Just like Scott, the father in the film, every man has the potential to become a carrier of hope and stability in a chaotic world.

Scripture tells us in Deuteronomy 1:31 (NLT):

“And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.”

God reveals Himself to us as a Father—not distant, but deeply involved. He carries us, disciplines us, blesses us, and never gives up on us. As men of God, we’re called to reflect that same fatherly care—to carry our children, to guide the next generation, and to leave behind a legacy of faith.

Proverbs 17:6 (NLT) says:

“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.”

This verse reminds us that the impact of our lives doesn’t stop with our children—it reaches into generations. Your faith, your prayers, your presence, your sacrifices—they shape destinies.

To The Men:

At Free Chapel, we believe in you. The Men's Ministry, FC Men is here to walk alongside you, to equip and encourage you to be the father, grandfather, spiritual father, or mentor God has called you to be. Whether you’re in the trenches of fatherhood, healing from your own father wounds, or stepping into the role for the first time—now is your time to rise.

The world may try to convince us that men are dispensable—but God says you are essential. He has placed within you the strength to lead, the love to nurture, and the wisdom to build. The glory of fatherhood is not found in perfection but in presence. And just like the father in The Unbreakable Boy, you don’t have to have it all together—you just have to show up, stay the course, and trust God through the journey. Dads matter in a fatherless generation.

Call to Action:

• Join Free Chapel’s Men’s Ministry. Don’t walk this road alone. FC Men builds better men.

• Be intentional. Spend time with your children, speak life over them, and show them the love of the Father.

• Mentor someone. If you don’t have children, there is still a young man or boy who needs your voice and example.

• Leave a legacy. Build something that lasts.

Brother—you were made for this. Let’s rise up, take our place, and reflect the heart of our Heavenly Father to a world desperate for the love only a godly man can give.

Conclusión

No matter what stage of parenting or life you’re in, The Unbreakable Boy reminds us that God is present in our brokenness. As Pastor Jentezen Franklin shared, parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence, forgiveness, and faith. We will fall, we will feel overwhelmed, but God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

So today, if you’re carrying the weight of regret, shame, or fear, remember this: stop beating yourself up. Forgive yourself. Give it to the Lord. His grace is more than enough. Your family journey may be unpredictable, but God’s love never changes.

To all the moms and dads who keep showing up—especially those raising children with special needs—we see you, we honor you, and more importantly, God sees you. You are a living picture of His love.

…

Let’s end today by praying as Jesus taught us as found in Matthew 6:9-13, is:

“Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.