October 18, 2024
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Lifeway Christian Resources has teamed up with filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick to provide a suite of new resources to accompany their latest project, “The Forge,” which is scheduled to hit theaters August 23.
Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the director-and-producer brother team behind movies like “War Room,” “Courageous” and “Overcomer,” said their new film will spotlight the subjects of mentorship and discipleship. The Kendricks hope “The Forge” will ignite a true desire in people to become disciples of Jesus.
The movie follows the story of 19-year-old Isaiah Wright, played by newcomer Aspen Kennedy, who is drifting through life—no job, no plans, no idea how to be a man. His mom, Cynthia, played by Priscilla Shirer, gives him an ultimatum—step up or move out. Enter Joshua Moore, played by Cameron Arnett, who not only gives Isaiah a job but much-needed wisdom and spiritual guidance. Isaiah is forced to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God might have a greater purpose for his life.
“The Forge” will also include beloved characters from “War Room,” which climbed to No. 1 at the box office in 2015. “We were already inspired with a powerful storyline, but the entire movie vaulted up when we realized it beautifully fit alongside our favorite 'War Room' characters,” said Stephen Kendrick in a release about the film.
Alex Kendrick said he and his brother hoped the film would cause people to think about their own role in discipleship. “We are praying that when people walk out of the theater after seeing the film, they are thinking one of two things: Lord, who is someone that I can disciple? Or do I need to be discipled?”
“Our hope is that there will be a multiplication effect of discipleship across churches,” said Stephen Kendrick.
B&H Publishing Group and Lifeway are offering five related resources that address discipleship, including a book by the Kendrick brothers titled “Devoted to Jesus” and a book titled “I Surrender All,” by Priscilla Shirer, who stars in the film. “Count Me In” is a book for teens written by Travis Agnew and the Kendricks.
For churches that want to take full advantage of the film and go deeper in their understanding of discipleship, Lifeway has teamed up with AFFIRM Films to release two Bible studies to underscore the message of the film. Releasing in June, prior to the release of the film, “The Forge Bible Study” is designed to ignite a passion for following Christ and helping others become disciples of Jesus. This five-week small group study uses featured clips from the movie and explores a simple, reproducible approach to discipleship.
“Fully Devoted” is an eight-week group study by the Kendricks that will take readers on a journey through Jesus’s invitation to follow Him and then to intentionally make disciples of others. It’s designed to help groups dive into what it looks like to be Jesus’ disciple.
“We have forever been grateful for our partnership with Lifeway and their heart for the Great Commission,” said Stephen Kendrick. “We hope these resources will help churches make disciples of Christ who are fully surrendered to Him and discipling others.”
Over the past decade and a half, Lifeway and B&H Publishing Group have enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the Kendrick Brothers.
“Lifeway has been honored to partner with the Kendrick Brothers on multiple projects,” said Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell. “We hope 'The Forge' and the accompanying resources will inspire and challenge people to get serious about both being discipled and discipling others. The resources released alongside the film extend the audience’s journey far beyond the cinematic experience—equipping them with the tools to develop deeper, lasting discipleship in their churches and beyond that will multiply year after year.”
AFFIRM Films, Provident Films and The Kendrick Brothers will release “The Forge” exclusively in theaters nationwide beginning August 23. For more information about the movie, visit TheForgeMovie.com.
For more information about “The Forge” resources, visit Lifeway.com/theforge.
