As the Kendrick brothers evolve in their storytelling finesse, they are building more support materials into the mix to carry the movie beyond the theater and into the nation’s homes. Fireproof takes that venture one step further with the publication of a unique devotional book spun out of the movie’s storyline.

The heart of Fireproof centers around a husband’s reluctance to try to restore a marriage he is not convinced needs saving. That motivation is given to him by his father who challenges his son to take a “love dare” before following through with the divorce.

 

Issuing a challenge

Former Camilla and Americus pastor Harris Malcom, who serves as GBC Ministry Resource Consultant for Southwest Georgia, is the father who issues the challenge to his son, played by well-known Christian actor Kirk Cameron.

Malcom is no stranger to premarital counseling, having written his doctoral thesis on the topic. But he puts aside his pastoral voice, he says, and speaks more as a father to a son in the movie scenes.

Malcom explains the “love dare” as challenge he has given to his son to help restore his marriage. In his role as John Holt he asks only one thing of his son, Caleb: to try the challenge for 40 days. The hand-written journal outlines one simple act of love to be offered each day, whether or not it is accepted. The suggestions include items like not talking back for one day and performing unexpected kinds deeds, like pouring the spouse a cup of coffee.

The movie revolves around the challenge and how Caleb and his wife, slowly yet painfully, learn to rebuild their trust in each other. The scenes are both brutal and realistic as they portray the struggle to rebuild that trust; the movie does not sugarcoat the real-world conflict between couples who have drifted apart. Fireproof avoids sentimental clichés and sermonizing and shows that true faith, when placed in a crucible, will triumph.

As an aid to the movie, the “love dare” will be expanded by Alex and Stephen Kendrick and simultaneously released as a print product with the movie’s premier. Primarily designed as a personal devotional, it will be written in a format where the participant will be able to record, on a daily basis, the 40-day journey as he or she studies and practices real love.

As in the movie, participants will be asked to keep the journal private and not share it with their spouse. A small group study version will be released the following January.

 

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• Plot overview

• Timeline for Fireproof materials

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