My 11yo daughter has been working on an Easter unit for the last 3 weeks. We have watched a movie and read books. My question is at what age do you think she kids might be ready to see The Passion Of The Christ? I know it's really graphic but the violence is really what brought home the sacrefice He made for us. I'm jusst not sure if when she might be able to watch it. Any opinions?
Sadly, all the violence in the movie cannot compare to what really happened. The bible says Jesus was unrecognizable. Anyway, that has nothing to do with your question. You know your child best. Do you think she can handle viewing this? I wouldn't have a problem with a mature 11 year old seeing this. Just be prepared with answers to any of her questions. There are a few different scenes, she may ask about. I don't know, it may be a bit young. Sorry. The movie is on dvd, you can always wait until next Easter if you have any reservations. I have a friend who didn't let her son see it because she thought it would break his heart. She thought it would be too tramatizing. I also have a friend who wanted to get the full reality of the sacrifice across to her child, so if she was heartbroken, that was the point. So, to each his own. The Word has been around a lot longer than that movie. Personally, I think she should concentrate on the Word and let that have an effect on her first. However, an age for that movie, really does depend on how mature you judge your child.
I know you probably already are doing this but, pray about it? God knows her better even than you do. Sami begged and begged me to let her watch "the movie about Jesus" it was a documentary came out on PBS about the time Passion came out in theaters. I thought she was way too little because of the (mild in comparison) scene at the end. I prayed about it up until it started.. reluctantly let her watch it, prayed all through it and you know.. Moments before the scene I was worried about started, she suddenly laid down on the couch and was instantly asleep! there was my answer. God allowed her to watch what she could handle and no more. He won't let you down, just ask him what to do.
We all watched it last year (my youngest was 4). I feel it is a fairly true depiction of what happened. It's not like letting kids watch the crazy violent shows on TV/movies now. It is history and without the violence it has little meaning. My son was not scared but he sure got the meaning of it all. He just asked me the other day if we could watch it this Easter.
