The Case for Christ (Movie Reflection Pt. 1) - Obedience and Boldness
In July, we journied together through The Case for Christ movie. Each week, we drew out lessons to strengthen our faith and challenge the way we live. It’s more than just watching a film—it’s an opportunity to let God use the story to shape our hearts.
In this opening section of the movie, we were introduced to Lee Strobel, a confident atheist and journalist; his wife Leslie, whose curiosity about faith begins to grow; and a remarkable, often-overlooked character—Nurse Alfie.
Though her screen time is brief, Alfie leaves us with two profound lessons: obedience and boldness.
Obedience in the Small Things
Alfie wasn’t supposed to be at the restaurant where Lee and Leslie’s daughter began choking. She had other plans that evening, but a quiet nudge led her somewhere else. That one act of obedience—seemingly small and insignificant—became the difference between life and death.
This reminds us that God isn’t only interested in the “big” decisions we face—career, marriage, where to live. He also speaks in the little choices of our daily lives. Can He interrupt our plans when it’s inconvenient? Are we attentive enough to the Spirit’s whisper when it doesn’t seem urgent?
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves daily, take up our cross, and follow Him. Daily surrender means no part of our lives is off-limits. Like Alfie, we may not always understand why God redirects us, but obedience positions us to be part of His bigger story.
Boldness to Speak and Give Glory
Alfie didn’t just act—she spoke. When Leslie thanked her and called it “luck,” Alfie corrected her: “It wasn’t luck, it was Jesus.”
Her response challenges us to live with boldness in three ways:
Boldness to talk about Jesus. We live in a culture where speaking His name can feel awkward or even offensive. Yet the gospel is the power of God to save (Romans 1:16).
Boldness to glorify Jesus. Alfie refused to take the credit. Every time we shift praise back to Him, we let our light shine so others may glorify our Father (Matthew 5:16).
Boldness to plant the seed. Alfie’s words planted something in Leslie’s heart—a seed that grew into a journey of faith. We may not always see the fruit right away, but we can trust God to make it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Looking Ahead
This first reflection from The Case for Christ reminds us that obedience and boldness often go hand in hand. Obedience positions us to be in the right place at the right time, and boldness ensures we give God the glory when those moments come.
As we continue this series, let’s keep asking: Can God interrupt our plans? Will we be bold enough to point others to Jesus when He gives us the chance?
We pray for grace to live daily in obedience and courage. This is only the beginning—next week, we’ll draw out more lessons as the story unfolds.