In two separate votes a decade apart, Citizen Kane was named the greatest American film of all time by the American Film Institute, and it is pretty well cemented at or near the top of dozens of all-time greatest lists. Although not my personal favorite (my vote goes to Casablanca), I certainly concede it rightfully belongs among the greatest films in cinematic history.

I know I’ve already written about Citizen Kane—and I’m not going to belabor the point—but there are two interesting bits of trivia regarding this film that I thought were worth bringing up here because I think there are some more important lessons to be learned from this film:

First, Citizen Kane was Orson Welles’ directorial debut… and he was only 25 when it was released (not a bad way to start a career). Welles went on to star in and direct a host of other great films, but his very first eventually was recognized countless times over as the greatest film in American history.

Lesson: Don’t discount the efforts of the young and inexperienced. Sometimes a person needs to be given a chance in order to shine. I believe there are all kinds of untapped potential within our churches and youth groups; we just need to give people a chance to step up and show us what they are capable of doing and achieving. It might be risky, but that risk might turn out to pay untold dividends.

Second, Citizen Kane lost the Oscar for Best Picture to a John Form film titled How Green Was My Field. Have you even heard of this film? I certainly hadn’t until I did a little research to see which film beat the greatest film of all time for the Best Picture Oscar. How Green Was My Field has slipped into obscurity—not even mentioned on any of the AFI 100 Films lists—while Citizen Kane has enjoyed lasting success and acclaim.

Lesson: True greatness and significance aren’t always recognized right away. Remember that immediate and temporary recognition is not our true goal. We labor for an imperishable crown that is not of this world. So, as Paul admonished, “Let us not grow weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:8-10). It may be years before we see the fruit of our labor, but we have the promise that those fruits will come.

There is much to be learned from the world of film, lessons not just from the films themselves, but also from the circumstances in which those films are birthed. My hope is that by drawing your attention to a few of the truly great films, you have been inspired not only to watch and enjoy some classics, but also find nuggets of truth that can encourage you in your ministry to young people.