Media Alert!
January 2024
Blog #51
Sue Summers
MediaSavvyKids.org
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Jesus Is My Superhero!
A conversation with friends or family members sometimes brings forth a remark, “he or she is my hero”, because that person has made a difference for the better in their lives. Society has heroes too, usually declared by the media either through news stories or entertainment.
“A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. The original hero type of classical epics did such things for the sake of glory and honor.” (Wikipedia.org)
For example, our entertainment culture identifies Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, in the “Mission Impossible” series of movies as a very attractive hero, saving all sorts of people from all sorts of evil-doers all over the world, defeating wrong with right. MI is consistently a box-office hit!
In print media, comic books introduced us to the world of “superheroes” in the late 1930s, and the genre swept the nation and continues to do so.
“Superhero comics are one of the most common genres of American comic books. The genre rose to prominence in the 1930s and became extremely popular in the 1940s and has remained the dominant form of comic book in North America since the 1960s. Superhero comics feature stories about superheroes and the universes these characters inhabit.” (Wikipedia.org)
“Superhero: a fictional hero—widely popularized in comic books and comic strips, television and film, and popular culture and video games—whose extraordinary or ‘superhuman’ powers are often displayed in a fight against crime and assorted villains, who in turn often display superhuman abilities.” (www.Britannica.com)
Consider Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, the Avengers, Hulk, Spiderman, Antman, and even the Incredibles, who continue to overcome evil through strength, invisible shields, the ability to fly, climb walls, or change physical appearance, and other superpowers.
Has the fictional superhero persona in entertainment media muddied the waters for young children and teens to be impressed about Jesus and his powers?
We know through God’s Word that Jesus walked on water, healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, empowered the lame to walk, turned water into wine, and fed a multitude with only 5 loaves and 2 fishes. After his resurrection (indeed, a superpower in itself!), Jesus appeared to his disciples and walked through walls.
Our children and teens need the opportunity to learn about the original, real superhero – Jesus Christ!
“It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was his plan long before the world began—to show his love and kindness to us through Christ. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, who broke the power of death and showed us the way of everlasting life through trusting him.” 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (Living Bible)
So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?
God’s Word may not seem relevant to a generation who has been captivated by entertainment. They may consider the Bible to be just a book of stories – implying that they are fiction. It is the responsibility of parents, grandparents, Sunday School teachers, youth pastors, and other adults who care about young people to disclose the facts of the eternal significance of personally knowing Jesus Christ. Try these discussion starters:
• “Are there any real heroes in your life right now? Do you want to share why they are heroes?”
• “Are there people who are real superheroes, who fight for justice and truth in real life?”
• “Who is your favorite fictional superhero? What powers does he or she have? What do you like about that power?”
• “Sometimes we assume superheroes are all just fictional characters. Let’s think about Jesus and his powers described in the Bible. Is Jesus a fictional character?”
• “Superheroes always fight for good vs evil. Did Jesus do this?”
• “Let’s make a list of all the ‘superpowers’ that Jesus had while on earth.”
• “Jesus will return soon. Jesus’ real superpower is saving us from the wages of sin, allowing us to live forever in His kingdom of Light with Him. Let’s read this scripture and discuss it:
“Then all mankind will see me, the Messiah,coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And I will send out the angels to gather together my chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest bounds of earth and heaven.” Mark 13:25-27 (Living Bible)
• “Let’s continue to compare Jesus to fictional superheroes when we see a superhero in comic books, books, video games, or movies.”
Note: Share this blog with your church’s youth pastor as a lesson for youth group gatherings.
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Sue Summers is a Christian media analyst, teacher, author, and speaker.
She is the Director of Media Alert!
Contact Info:
Blogs: MediaSavvyKids.org
Website: http://www.MediaAlert.org
Email: Sue@MediaAlert.org
#MediaSavvyKids, #ChristianParenting, #ChurchAndCulture, #YouthPastors, #YouthGroupCurriculum, #HelpForChristianParents, #TeensAndCulture, #AChangingCulture, #CriticalThinkingAndTeens, #IAmNotDefinedByTheCulture, #JesusIsMySuperhero, #HeroesVsSuperheroes, #FictionalSuperheroesVsJesus
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