Movie ‘Like Arrows’ Emphasizes Importance of Family Relationships

When conflict, rebellion, and resentment challenge their family, Charlie and Alice are forced to rethink their parenting strategy. In the process, they realize how critical intentionality and focus are when shaping and molding young lives. Like Arrows is FamilyLife’s first feature film. It explores the challenges and joys that come with rearing children. Through a journey over 50 years, Charlie and Alice discover the unmistakable power of family. Together, they learn that knowing and living by God’s Word is what brings transformation and hope to any family.  This two-nightly only event ‘Like Arrows’ emphasizes importance of family relationships and what they look like with and without God.

Check your local theater for times and get tickets! Photo Courtesy Fathom Events

Bob Lepine is Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of FamilyLife and Co-Host of FamilyLife Today®, FamilyLife’s nationally syndicated radio program, and is a producer for Like Arrows. He is a veteran of Christian radio with a Communication degree from the University of Tulsa.

‘Like Arrows’ follows a married couple with their family challenges over a span of decades. Photo Courtesy Fathom Events

Sonoma Christian Home spoke with Bob Lepine about Like Arrows, which comes to theaters as a Fathom Event, May 1st and 3rd only. SCH Editor at Large Dr. Diane Howard reports.

SCH: What is the significance of the title, Like Arrows?

BL: It comes from Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.…”  Arrows were originally made by the archers themselves. They wanted their quivers full of arrows that would fly straight at targets.

Parenting is hard. Parenting without God is even harder. Photo Courtesy Fathom Events

SCH: Why is FamilyLife now in the film business with the new feature Like Arrows.

BL:  We began to develop a series to help families with parenting. This included interviews and telling a continuing story with which the Kendrick Brothers helped us.  It became a full-length film.

SCH: How is the film, Like Arrows, designed to lead to the new curriculum series The Art of Parenting?

BL:  It is designed to motivate and inspire parents to take the next step and to find parenting support through local churches. Educational kits will be available for churches. We also want to use the film to reach those outside the church.

Actor and singer Alan Powell of Anthem Lights stars as Charlie. Photo Courtesy Fathom Events

SCH: How will the film and FamilyLife’s Art of Parenting™ be available with its free online video series and an eight-session small group series?

BL: It will first be available as a Fathom Event. Later churches will be able to use the film to kick off the series in their ministries.

SCH: What are significant messages in Like Arrows?

BL: There are three major messages: 

1. Parenting needs to be focused, intentional, and purposeful.
2. God brings beauty from ashes, that is from our mistakes,
3. It is okay to not be okay, but it isn’t okay to stay there, as Pastor Matt Chandler says. We can’t be casual about parenting but must be actively involved and intentional.

Actress Micah Lynn Hanson stars as Alice. Photo Courtesy Fathom Events

SCH: Why are these resources critical today?

BL: Parents need to be intentionally involved with their children even beyond going to church, involvement in a youth group, and prayers at meals.

SCH: How do you see Like Arrows facilitating the transformation of lives and success of families?

BL: We think in this film that audiences will see themselves. We want it to be aspirational, inspirational, and motivational. We want it to picturize the parenting process and goal.

Bob Lepine has a long history of providing families with resources that enhance their relationships with each other and with God.  Prior to joining FamilyLife in 1992, Bob worked for local radio stations in Tulsa, Phoenix, Sacramento, and San Antonio. He is the author of The Christian Husband, and the on-air voice for Truth for Life with Alistair Begg.  Bob also serves on the Executive Committee for National Religious Broadcasters. He and his wife, Mary Ann, live in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he also serves as an elder and teaching pastor at Redeemer Community Church.

The Kendricks Brothers bring this all-important film about family and faith. Photo Courtesy Fathom Events

Alex and Stephen Kendrick, as well as FamilyLife’s Dennis and Barbara Rainey, are also executive producers for Like Arrows.

This movie provides a powerful vision for parents, reminding us that nothing is more important for any family than to have God and His Word directing our lives. The film will release as part of a significant new parenting initiative called FamilyLife’s Art of Parenting™, which will also include a free online video series and an eight-session small group series.

See the following for further information: http://familylifeministries.org/likearrows/,  https://www.fathomevents.com/events/like-arrows, https://vimeo.com/227126074,  https://www.facebook.com/LikeArrowsMovie/, and Twitter: @ LikeArrowsMovie

To learn more about this author, please visit Dr. Diane Howard