The BFG — Family Discussion Guide
A guided conversation resource to help families explore the themes of The BFG through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
Friendship across differences is treated with dignity and care.
Courage and perseverance are used in service of protecting others from harm.
Dreams and nightmares are handled as magical forces that can be collected and planted, which may conflict with a Christian view of spiritual reality and why a parent may want to discuss where true peace comes from.
The story leans on fantasy power to solve problems, so parents may want to contrast that with Christian hope in Jesus Christ and wise dependence on God.
Discussion Questions
What made Sophie brave, and how can courage be used to help someone else instead of just proving yourself?
What helped Sophie and the BFG become loyal friends even though they were very different?
How does the movie talk about dreams and nightmares, and how is that different from the peace and security God gives us?
Why was it important that Sophie and the BFG asked for help instead of trying to carry everything alone?
Guidance Notes
This fantasy adventure has a warm core of friendship, courage, and protecting others, but it also includes dark peril that may unsettle younger children. The main concerns are kidnapping, repeated threat from man-eating giants, and a fantasy dream-world framework that parents may want to talk through.
The film strongly affirms courage, loyalty, compassion, and using influence to protect the vulnerable. Its moral center is mostly clear: evil should be resisted, friends should stand up for one another, and even someone small can help confront great wrong. The main worldview tension is its fantasy treatment of dreams and nightmares as powers that can be captured, delivered, and used to shape people. That is imaginative storytelling, but it can be worth reminding children that real hope, peace, and truth come from God, and that Christian confidence rests in Jesus Christ rather than in magical forces.
Scary giant peril
Kidnapping theme
Scripture References
Family Discussion Guide — The BFG (2016)
Use this guide after watching The BFG together to explore its themes through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
- Friendship across differences is treated with dignity and care.
- Courage and perseverance are used in service of protecting others from harm.
- Dreams and nightmares are handled as magical forces that can be collected and planted, which may conflict with a Christian view of spiritual reality and why a parent may want to discuss where true peace comes from.
- The story leans on fantasy power to solve problems, so parents may want to contrast that with Christian hope in Jesus Christ and wise dependence on God.
Discussion Questions
- What made Sophie brave, and how can courage be used to help someone else instead of just proving yourself?
- What helped Sophie and the BFG become loyal friends even though they were very different?
- How does the movie talk about dreams and nightmares, and how is that different from the peace and security God gives us?
- Why was it important that Sophie and the BFG asked for help instead of trying to carry everything alone?
Guidance Notes
- This fantasy adventure has a warm core of friendship, courage, and protecting others, but it also includes dark peril that may unsettle younger children. The main concerns are kidnapping, repeated threat from man-eating giants, and a fantasy dream-world framework that parents may want to talk through.
- The film strongly affirms courage, loyalty, compassion, and using influence to protect the vulnerable. Its moral center is mostly clear: evil should be resisted, friends should stand up for one another, and even someone small can help confront great wrong. The main worldview tension is its fantasy treatment of dreams and nightmares as powers that can be captured, delivered, and used to shape people. That is imaginative storytelling, but it can be worth reminding children that real hope, peace, and truth come from God, and that Christian confidence rests in Jesus Christ rather than in magical forces.
- Scary giant peril
- Kidnapping theme
Scripture to Explore Together
- Joshua 1:9
- Philippians 2:4
- John 13:34-35
- Ephesians 4:32
- Psalm 4:8
- John 14:27
- Proverbs 31:8-9
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10