Week in Review: The Christian Content You Missed (Movies, Stories & Faith Growth)

It's been a packed week. Between movie reviews, fiction chapters, and faith conversations, there's a good chance you missed something that could've sparked a family discussion or helped you make a smarter screen-time decision.

So let's catch you up. Here's everything we published this week, organized, summarized, and ready for you to dive into whatever you need most right now.

Movie Reviews: What's Safe (and What's Not) for Your Family

This week, we tackled some of the biggest family films parents are asking about, plus a few surprises you might not have considered yet.

The Minecraft Movie (2025)

The Minecraft movie finally has a release window, and Christian parents are already asking: Is it safe? What's the worldview? Should I let my kids see it opening weekend?

We broke down 5 conversation starters you can use before your family hits play.

Minecraft's themes of creativity, resource stewardship, and collaborative problem-solving align beautifully with biblical values, but there are also some subtle worldview questions worth addressing (like: What does it mean to "create" in a world with no Creator mentioned?).

Bottom line: It's likely going to be a family-friendly watch, but go in prepared to discuss purpose and why we create.

Moana and Zootopia (Disney Classics Revisited)

Yes, these are older films: but they keep showing up in Christian households, and parents keep asking the same questions. So we revisited both with fresh eyes and a biblical lens.

Moana is a gorgeous exploration of calling, identity, and courage. But it also leans heavily into ancestor worship and polytheism, which means you'll want to have a conversation about where true identity comes from (hint: not from grandma's glowing ghost or a demigod).

Zootopia tackles prejudice, stereotypes, and redemption in ways that align surprisingly well with the gospel. It's one of the best "discuss justice and grace" movies out there for families with elementary-aged kids.

Both reviews include discussion prompts you can use during or after the film.

Superman (2025)

The new Superman reboot is leaning hard into themes of hope and justice: which sounds great on paper. But is that enough for a Christian worldview?

We explored whether Superman's moral compass points to something transcendent or just stays surface-level heroic. Spoiler: it depends on how the film handles his origin story and what (or who) he's ultimately serving.

If your teens are hyped for this one, it's worth reading the review together and asking: What does true hope look like when it's rooted in Christ vs. rooted in human effort?

2026 Family Film Watchlist: Elio, Paddington in Peru, and Lilo & Stitch

We also published a parent guide roundup for three big 2026 releases:

• Elio (Pixar's space adventure)

• Paddington in Peru (the wholesome bear's latest journey)

• Lilo & Stitch (live-action remake)

Each film got a quick safety rating, worldview snapshot, and conversation starter so you can decide what's worth your family's time: and what needs a pre-watch discussion.

Fiction Sagas: Stories That Teach Without Preaching

If you've been following along, you know we're deep into a few allegorical fiction series that explore faith, calling, and spiritual growth through story.

This week, we published fresh chapters across multiple sagas:

These aren't just entertaining reads. They're tools for discipleship, self-reflection, and conversation: whether you're reading solo or discussing them with a small group.

If you missed a chapter, don't worry. Each saga is designed to stand alone and build on itself, so you can jump in anytime.

Faith & Growth: Practical Tools for Real-Life Discipleship

This is where we get into the how-to stuff: the practical, solution-forward content that helps you grow, protect your family, and live out your faith in everyday decisions.

Bark vs. Covenant Eyes: Which Digital Safety Tool Is Better?

One of the most-read posts this week. Parents are desperate for clarity on this, and we gave it to them.

We compared features, pricing, ease of use, and Christian-specific benefits for both platforms.

Bark is better for families with younger kids who need comprehensive monitoring across multiple apps and devices. Covenant Eyes is better for individuals or older teens who need accountability and filtering without full surveillance.

The post includes a decision flowchart so you can figure out which one fits your family in under 5 minutes.

Looking for a Christian Filter for Movies? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know

Another parent pain point: How do I filter movies without missing out on good content?

We broke down:

• What VidAngel actually does (and doesn't do)

• How to use ClearPlay without a subscription headache

• Why manual discernment is still your best first step

This post is less about "buy this product" and more about equipping you to make informed decisions based on your family's values, maturity levels, and screen-time goals.

Church Culture, Worship, and Creative Expression

We also published a few shorter posts on church safety, creative worship, and small group dynamics: practical stuff for ministry leaders, volunteers, and anyone trying to build healthier church culture.

Topics included:

• How to create a child protection policy that actually works (and doesn't feel like overkill)

• Why creative expression in worship isn't just for "artsy people"

• How to handle conflict in small groups without losing community

These posts are designed to be actionable, not theoretical. Read one, implement one thing this week, and watch your ministry or small group shift.

Takeaway / Next Step

Here's what I want you to do with all this content:

And here's the bigger picture: All of this content exists to help you grow, protect what matters, and live out your faith in practical, everyday ways. You don't have to do it all. Just pick the next right step.

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If you found this helpful, here's how you can go deeper:

Head over to www.laynemcdonald.com for more blog posts, music, coaching resources, and tools for faith-driven creators and families. Every visit helps support grieving families through Google AdSense: at no cost to you.

And if you're looking for a faith community that meets you where you are, check out

Boundless Online Church. It's a space for Christian teaching, encouragement, and real community: whether you engage publicly or prefer to stay private.

See you next week with more reviews, stories, and practical faith tools. Let's keep building each other up, one post at a time.