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Summary
'Harry rolled over in bed, a series of dazzling new pictures forming in his mind's eye ... he had hoodwinked the impartial judge into believing he was seventeen ... he had become Hogwarts champion ... he was standing in the ground, his arms raised in triumph in front of the whole school, all of whom were applauding and screaming ... he had just won the Triwizard Tournament. Cho's face stood out particularly clearly in the blurred crowd, her face glowing with admiration ... ' (p. 169-170). For Harry, the fourth year is all about recognition - both from his contemporaries and a pretty girl who also happens to be a great player in the magic world's favourite sport of Quidditch.
Hermione's greatest concern is still her schoolwork, although she develops a keen interest in the rights of Winky the house-elf and with great determination sets about winning justice for these underprivileged creatures.
Meanwhile, Harry's other best friend, Ron Weasley, is once again relegated to existing in Harry's shadow. The last in a long line of brothers, Ron would like to be seen as something more than just another Weasley boy. For both Harry and Ron, it's a case of wanting what the other has - Ron would like to have money and be a hero; Harry would give anything to have the love and support of a family like Ron's. The two friends fall out when Ron's jealousy finally gets the better of him.
Key Issue: Ambition
Ambition is a key theme in the book. Once Harry knows about the Triwizard Tournament he wants to compete and win. Similarly, the game of Quidditch fires his ambition for glory and success. Personal danger is forgotten in the quest for victory. Hence Harry's heroes are those who shine in his favourite sport, and he wants to earn his place among them. Linked with dreams of winning are fears of failure of course, and Harry is no exception. What does the Bible say about ambition? Is all ambition selfish and self-seeking? Should we shun success in the eyes of the world? Does going God's way mean that we abandon such dreams? Are there biblical heroes who can help? Is our identity simply in what we achieve? How do we handle failure and disappointment?
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Bible Study
Choose one question in each section
1. Selfish ambition
'They're not stopping me entering,' said Fred stubbornly, also scowling at the top table. 'The champions'll get to do all sorts of stuff you'd never be allowed to do normally. And a thousand galleons prize money!' 'Yeah,' said Ron, a faraway look on his face. 'Yeah, a thousand galleons ... ' (p. 167)
Leaders: Human ambition is generally
characterised by competition, greed, self-centredness, and disregard
for others. The Bible insists that Christians should be different
- characterised instead by humility.
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Read Mark 10:35-44. Why do you think James and John thought that they deserved the honour they were requesting? How might we make the same mistakes as James and John with our ambitions?
Leaders: see Mark 1:16-20; 3:13-19;
9:2-10
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Read James 3:13-18. How have you seen the side-effects of ambition that James talks about in your own experience? What do you think James sees as appropriate ambition? How do you think the world would view James' perspective?
Leaders: see also Habakkuk 2:4-20
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2. Ambitious Christians?
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition. (p. 157)
Leaders: Selfish ambition is not legitimate
for Christians. However, there are legitimate ambitions, some of
which Scripture insists on.
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Read Philippians 2:1-18; 3:12-14. What does Paul suggest are right ambitions for Christians? Does this rule out ambitions in our work or other parts of life?
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Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. How is our view of Christ, other people and ourselves different from that of a worldly point of view? How does that affect our ambitions and how we work towards them?
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3. Failed ambitions
'Look,' said Hermione patiently, 'it's always you who gets all the attention, you know it is. I know it's not your fault,' she added quickly, seeing Harry open his mouth furiously, 'I know you don't ask for it ... but - well, you know, Ron's got all those brothers to compete against at home, and you're his best friend, and you're really famous - he's always shunted to one side whenever people see you, and he puts up with it, and he never mentions it, but I suppose this is just one time too
many ... ' (p. 254)
Leaders: Everyone has had the experience
of frustration over ambitions that have not been reached, if not
the disappointment of downright failure. How are we to handle this
experience as Christians?
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Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. Do you think Paul experienced failure and disappointment when these things happened? How do you respond when your ambitions fail?
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Read Psalm 22:1-8. When life seems like it has fallen apart, what has happened to God's promises? How do we tell the difference between God's plans and ours?
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4. How to achieve your ambitions
'I don't know what's going to happen to
them, I really don't. No ambition, unless you count making as
much trouble as they possibly can ...' (p. 55)
Leaders: The Bible is clear that it is God
who enables us to achieve anything. Yet at the same time it expects
us to work too and to be disciplined in striving after our ambitions.
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Read 2 Timothy 2:1-7. What's involved in the soldier, the athlete and the farmer attaining their ambitions? How do these apply to the Christian's life?
Leaders: When Paul writes about
not getting 'involved in civilian affairs', he is not suggesting
that we avoid people who aren't Christians - look at Paul's own
ministry (Acts 17:16-34 for example) or Jesus' incarnation. Reaching
the world is our mission.
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Read 2 Peter 1:3-8. How does this passage give us criteria against which to evaluate our ambitions and guidance for how to go about working towards them?
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Implications
Normally, Uncle Vernon would have asked what car Mr Weasley drove; he tended to judge other men on how big and expensive their cars were. (p. 40)
Choose one of the following questions
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Is Harry Potter a good role model for children to learn about ambition?
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How honest have you been today about your ambitions? Are there some you need to let go of or to pursue?
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How would you try to help somebody who has been hit by disappointment - for example, a neighbour who has been passed over for promotion at work?
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What do you want to win at? How does the way you pursue this ambition need to change?
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Prayer
Spend some time praying through these issues.
Background Reading
Links to some background reading
Download
this set of Connect Bible Studies in Adobe Acrobat format
© Damaris Publishing, 2001 All rights reserved
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