Live to Forgive

COULD YOU FORGIVE AND LOVE THE MAN WHO MURDERED YOUR MOTHER?

LIVE TO FORGIVE is a film about faith, redemption, and, most of all, forgiveness and the power to free yourself from the burden of unforgiveness. The film documents the extraordinary journey of DEAN ERIC SMITH to discover the truth and find forgiveness in the most dire circumstances. The story begins with a brutal crime in 1986 when Dean’s stepfather  murders his mom with  Dean’s baseball bat.

Dean was 12 years of age at the time and he grew up with hate waiting for the day he could take his own revenge. But Dean’s life took an unusual turn. After being adopted by a pastor and having a fairly normal childhood, his life took a wrong turn. Drinking, drugs, and parties became his distractions.

Ultimately, he sought help from God to help him change his lifestyle and overcome his long-suppressed grief and anger. After years of prayer, he became a minister and, with God’s help and guidance, found forgiveness and even love for his stepfather Bob.

His search for Bob culminated in a trip to Tennessee in 2008, where they saw each other for the first time in 23 years. The entire encounter was filmed, including a remarkable meeting at which Bob confesses how and why he committed the murder. And, for the first time, Dean hears what his mother’s last words were.

OPTIONAL CURRICULUM

This 8-week study will guide participants through a powerful experience of forfgiveness.  The DVD and Workbook teachings are perfect for large and small groups and will help people understand how God forgives us and how we can share that same forgiveness with others.  This biblically based approach will help transform lives and restore relationships when people learn to truly Live to Forgive.

Topics include: Spiritual Warfare, Standing on the Word, Receiving God’s Love, Personal Healing vs. Relational Healing.

The study includes:

2 DVD’s with over 160 minutes of teaching, participant workbook, In-Session discussion questions, Scriptural References for every topic,  5 days of home-study per week (35 at-home teachings), and a facilitator’s guide.

The DVD of teaching’s, a facilitator workbook, and a participant workbook is $49.  Additional workbooks are $20 per participant or 10 for $150 ($15 each).

"Live to Forgive" touched my heart! I am so happy for Dean, Gienna and the rest of their family to have the weight of unforgiveness lifted from them. They truly can enjoy life and all it has to offer them. My wish is to someday feel that weight lifted from me and everyone I care about. Thank you for making it possible for all to see and be touched by this movie.--Marie Norton-Olsen

"Live to Forgive" is truly an amazing movie!!! So moving and extremely powerful. A true blessing to anyone who sees it! God is so Good!--Renee Dunkle Schunke

This movie was beautiful and inspiring. The type you want to take everyone you know to. It touches your heart on so many levels. It had a very different slant on love and forgiveness. Sounds cliche...but it really made me want to be a better me and I feel like I have... a clearer understanding of how to accomplish that now:)--AMC Website

I saw the film at the Kansas City Film Festival and absolutely loved it. I had to step outside and collect myself afterwards I was so touched. Thank you all for sharing your story of forgiveness. I hope I can get a copy of the film someday to show my students!--Laurie Moody