I was pleasantly surprised after watching Kung Fu Panda 4 with my son on the big screen. I knew going into our showing (as parents should) that vulgar language was kept out of the writer’s room, along with a minimal use of potty humor. But what I didn’t know was why Jack Black had insisted that this was his favorite movie of the franchise. He could have been saying that for promotional purposes during interviews. However upon leaving the movie theater, I understood and maybe even gained some insight into Jack Black’s personal journey.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is about discipling; the act of equipping another. It is about transitioning from a journey focused solely on personal growth and stepping into the role of training up the next generation. Clever enough, the film also addresses the different motivations people have in mentoring and teaching others. Some do it for personal gain provided that their pupils remain useful. Others love the idea of instilling wisdom onto their students (in the film’s case: parents to children) as long as they don’t outgrow needing them or exceeding them in wisdom.
Our panda warrior, Po, discovers on his journey what happens to us when we negate the action of discipling others. His development becomes stagnant and his identity begins to attach to his capabilities and the position he holds in a very unhealthy way. We are meant to mature, especially in the image of Christ, giving us the ability to see beyond ourselves and engage the gift of pouring into the maturing of others. This requires training others into the roles that we have. A father should train up their son to be a father.
Pride tries to tell us that we are being replaced but fails to point out we won’t be around forever. One that trains others for their own benefit holds the other side of that coin, selfish ambition. When conceit dictates our motivates, our mentoring will only point to ourselves when we should be pointing others to Christ. There is a difference between delegation (which means “do it my way”) and empowerment. To empower them is to teach the values, the truth, and also how to uphold them. Then let them uniquely express how they uphold those values and the truth. In better terms, let Christ use them, not you.
The movie gives great examples for you to be able to sit down and discuss this topic with your children. Whether it’s through Po’s personal journey of discovering that valuing others is part of our own growth in maturity or the warning of the "Den of Thieves” characters whose lack of growth has led to depravity and idolatry in the form of violence. Po’s attempt to win them over with a self made proverb only demonstrates how much we all are in need of the Word of God. We need real transformation through God in order to transform us into a new creation that matures in the image of Christ Jesus.
The movie even leaves room to remind us that it applies to us parents as well. When we make time to discuss, teach, and challenge our kids to grow, we need to remember to do it for the right reasons. Helping them mature is more than making sure that they are successful and secure in the future. We need to empower them to discern the ways of God in this world and train them up to value doing that for others also.
That’s maybe the best part about the movie. Who Po chooses to train up and equip doesn’t deserve it. She’s not his own family or part of his inner core group. But she is present in his life and Po operates in the film as if he recognizes that God put her there. We need to value others in the same mindset as Christ. In order to help our children see the value of equipping others, it begins with us. Equipping more than our loved ones, demonstrates Christ’s call for discipleship. They need to see us model caring for the maturing of someone beyond what benefits us directly. This properly teaches valuing others, forgiving, training, and discipling. As parents we need to make room for more than our own kids, for them to catch on. We empower them by demonstrating it first hand.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33“If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34“If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:32-36
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
Psalm 71:18
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA) Rated PG for martial arts action/mild violence, scary images and some mild rude humor.