Summary
When Harry's scar hurts, it means that somewhere Lord Voldemort is active. In his dreams Voldemort's presence is almost real and Harry is soon convinced that he will suffer in Voldemort's planned return to power. Since his parents are dead, it is difficult for him to know whom to turn to for help. Harry has long since rejected the authority and 'stupid rules' of his guardians, the Dursleys, whose understanding of the world he lives in is minimal. 'What he really wanted (and it felt almost shameful to admit it to himself) was someone like - someone like a parent: an adult wizard whose advice he could ask without feeling stupid, someone who cared about him, who had had experience of Dark Magic . . . ' (p. 25).
He decides to get in touch with his dad's faithful friend, Sirius, who unfortunately has been wrongly accused of a crime and has had to go into hiding. To see him, Harry must break the school rules. He is unaware that the Headmaster, Dumbledore, is also in contact with Sirius and knows about Harry's troubles. He tries to hide the truth from him, assuming that Dumbledore's age and authority would make him unable to understand what a teenager is going through.
As far as the pupils are concerned, their school appears to be run by the kind of rules that you would find in any boarding school. There are of course strict rules about the use of magic, particularly during the school holidays when the children are released back into the Muggle community armed with potentially dangerous knowledge. Dumbledore, however, is not afraid to bend the rules in favour of doing the right thing, and often gives Harry plenty of leeway.
Key Issue: Teenage Troubles
Many of the issues Harry faces are relevant to Western teenage culture. While not many may attend traditional boarding schools, magical or otherwise, they do have to relate to authority figures in teachers and parents. This is reportedly a vexing problem in some schools and homes, as the erstwhile 'children should be seen and not heard approach' bites the dust. What is the Biblical approach to human authority? Why should teens obey anyone? Is there an answer to the postmodern 'do as you like as long as it does not hurt anyone' tenet? Intergenerational issues are obviously important here, as is the powerful influence of a culture that minimises the inevitability of consequences. 'Because I say so' just does not seem to work anymore - why? What is the problem with obeying rules?
Bible Study
Leaders: Adolescence as a stage
in life is not clear in the Bible. This is partly because people
were generally married quite early. In Jesus' time, girls as young
as twelve could be married. Boys came of age at thirteen and could
take full responsibilities in the community. The rabbis seemed to
think that the late teens was a good time for a young man to marry.
In contemporary western societies adolescence is rather protracted
due to earlier onset of puberty, marrying later in life and a longer
time spent in education rather than working for a living.
Choose one question in each section
1. Relationships across generations
Uncle Vernon closed the door sharply behind both of them. 'So,' he said, marching over to the fireplace and turning to face Harry as though he was about to pronounce him under arrest. 'So.' Harry would dearly loved to have said 'So what?', but he didn't feel that Uncle Vernon's temper should be tested this early in the morning . (p. 31-32)
Leaders: The Bible puts a high priority
on family relationships. The principle of honouring parents is still
vitally important - but what does it look like in practice, especially
when parents don't understand their children's world?
