Breaking Strongholds
STUDY GUIDE

Episode 3: The Message

MEET THE CHARACTERS:

Chaplain Victor Raphael

Chaplain Victor Raphael, also known as Chaplain Vic, is assisting the Montgomery Police Department by providing counseling and spiritual guidance. As a veteran who has worked through his PTSD in the past, he understands the deep internal mental and spiritual wounds that can occur in the line of duty. He notices the stress Ethan is under and seeks to learn more about his story. He understands how keeping trauma bottled up inside can be devastating and encourages Ethan to bring the things he is holding inside out into the light for honest healing. For more on Vic’s background story, watch the film We Are Stronger.

Sophie

Sophie: the “new girl” at Montgomery High School, is trying to figure out where she fits in. She has met some nice “church kids,” but it seems that the most confident and popular kids are being personally invited to the Level Up Club, led by Mr. Robinson. She wonders if this Level Up Club can help her stop caring so much about what other people think. She is sensitive and kind, and it is painful to want deep friendships but to feel like an outsider. Sophie is learning what defines her and who will direct her path.

Lindsey Jordan

The disappearance of Lindsey Jordan is the reason Grace, her best friend, has gone to the police. Lindsey is a teacher at the high school and a huge fan of Redmond Quinn. As she wakes up in an unfamiliar place she tries to piece together memories of how she got there. Karl, an assistant to Quinn, deceptively “fills in the gaps” for her and convinces her that she is there because she was happy to have been chosen by Quinn for a special program.

Detective Derek Jackson

Detective Jackson was top of his class at the police academy. He is a follower of Redmond Quinn and sees the “Clarity Way” as positive and helpful. He has quickly risen through the ranks of the Montgomery Police Department. Chief Barnett has promoted Derek to the rank of Detective to help Ethan. Believing that the Chief has lost confidence in him, Ethan sees Derek’s promotion as a threat to his job.

JOURNAL PROMPTS:

As you watch Episode 3, look for the answers to these questions. Keep a journal of the answers to get the most out of what God may be teaching you through Breaking Strongholds. If possible, watch the episode with others and discuss your answers.

As Chaplain Vic talks with Ethan, he sees Ethan’s distress and knows by experience that Ethan is holding in trauma that should be talked about in a safe environment. Why is it so hard for Ethan to open up and talk about his past? What environment makes it easier to talk about hard things? What helped him finally talk to Grace?

As Lindsey tries to piece together how she has ended up in one of Redmond Quinn’s remote homes, the reality of her situation is skewed by his assistant, Karl. Why is he able to convince her to stay?

Another one of Redmond Quinn’s followers, Alex Robinson, is introducing his students to Quinn’s teaching through his after school Level Up Club. How is he making the club appealing to the students in this episode? Why does Sophie want to be part of the club?

COPY INTO YOUR JOURNAL:

Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than Christ.”

Describe a time that you or someone you know believed a lie either by choice or because they were deceived and “taken captive.” What were the consequences of this?

COPY INTO YOUR JOURNAL:

John 8: 31b-32 “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

How can we avoid fooling ourselves or being fooled by others in the future?

Where do we find Jesus’ teaching?

As Chaplain Vic teaches the Safe Talk course, Peyton begins to think of her friend, Ryan. What are some of the things Chaplain Vic said about recognizing the signs of suicide that may have made her think of him?

PRAYER:

Ask God to help you open up to someone in a safe environment about any trauma that is continuing to affect your life. Ask him to help you face any lies in your life, to receive the truth and to be strong enough to act on this new truth if needed. If the signs of suicide made you think of anyone in particular, pray for that person. Ask God to give you an opportunity and the strength to reach out to them.

In the next episode, you will see how Peyton bravely reaches out to Ryan.