Scripture Reading- Romans 15:1-2 - We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification.

When we hear the word "superhero", what name comes to mind? (Wait for answers from the audience). A hero is a person or who combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, bravery or strength in the face of danger, often sacrificing their own personal concerns for a greater good.

The popular imagery of a hero today includes characters from the Avengers, Marvel and DC comics. These are fictional characters that save fictional victims from fictional villains. However, real-world superheroes get little or no recognition for their deeds of bravery or selflessness. There are many unsung heroes with us today. Let's look at this video to see what it takes to be a modern hero.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5UBikauIQM&list=PLJFyceoku7Iqr8qx4L9LLqcnqUV30L34V

Hero Recruitment:

In the movies, when victims fall into trouble, there is a superhero that they can call upon for help. But, in this church, do our youth know who they can call upon when they need help?

Today we are recruiting adult superheroes for our youth.

The only superpower requirement is to have a growing faith in God, and you are willing to mentor the youth.

We will list seven categories. Indicate if you can be a mentor to our youth in each. We will take your phone and email and make them available for our young people to reach out to you. (Mention each category and list volunteers under the categories below)

1. Education
2. Relationships and Sexuality
3. Career
4. Spiritual Life
5. Self-worth
6. Depression and Anxiety
7. Finances

What does it take to become a superhero? Do you have to be perfect, wealthy, educated or talented?

In biblical times, why were the past bible characters considered heroes?

Let's travel back to the time when a Hero was not a character of a fictional story. Let look back to the heroes of the bible.

As we begin this journey, allow your minds to contemplate the lives of these characters. Reflect on their imperfections, adversities, how they overcame and what kept them faithful. We will now begin The Journey to Yesteryear.

(Play this transition sound effect as the character enters the stage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17iqKIBbGd0 )

(Explore the two Bible heroes below (or others of your choosing), have individuals prepare a monologue of their life. If you have adequate time, expound on the summaries below.)                                                                                    

Moses

8 Reasons Why Moses As A Leader Is My Hero

1. He had his priorities right Hebrews 11:24. He valued walking with God more than a life of comfort and privilege.
2. He wasn't perfect Exodus 2:15, 32:19. Despite his flaws, God chose and used a flawed man to do great things.
3. He listened and learned from others Exodus 18:24. He needed advice and received it when it was offered by his father-in-law Jethro.
4. He wasn't selfish about power Exodus 11:16-30. He understood the burden of leadership and willingly shared that power.
5. He knew why he was the leader Numbers 14:11-20. He was reluctant to take on the role Exodus 4:10-18, but once he did, he never lost sight of the goal of leading the people.
6. He trusted God to fight for him Numbers 16:3-5. He had remarkable faith that God always had his back.
7. He didn't give up in the face of adversity. He faced continual opposition throughout his life. Pharaoh opposed him Exodus 7-11, the people continually grumbled against him Exodus 14:10-12, Numbers 14:1-4 , Aaron and Miriam opposed him Numbers 12, as well as Korah Numbers 16. He grew weary but never gave up.
8. He was a man of remarkable character Numbers 12:6-8. God spoke with Moses as one speaks to a person face-to-face.

Have someone dress in a Moses costume and do a monologue talking about his life.

Use the information below to help create the monologue.

Moses:

• Birth circumstance.
• The basket on the river.
• He Grew up as an Egyptian
• Burning bush experience
• Shepherd life - New start, simple life, wife, kids.
• My people are suffering in Egypt.
• He will deliver them into Caanan.
• Excuses:
  • I'm a nobody - I will be with you.
  • I'm a fugitive. bounty hunters have a reward out for my life - they are all dead
  • Who sent you? Tell me His name?: I am that I am
  • What if they said I made it all up: Cast your rod and show your leprosy
  • I'm not eloquent in speech, I stammemmmmer: Aaron will do that part
• I moved my family back to Egypt.
• Aaron & I went to talk to the Jewish Elders.
• They believed and were happy.
• Pharaoh, on the other hand, was not too pleased.
• I Told Pharaoh, The Lord wanted him to let his people go.
• Pharoah, you should do this unless God will send plagues.
• If your God is so strong, tell him to try it. In the meantime, since you were so rude, tell the slaves to find their own straw.
• People started the first round of complaints.
• I tried to appease them, but they ignored me.
• God asked me to talk to Pharaoh again, but he didn't care.

1. So God turn all the waters to blood for 7 days
2. Then frogs from the rivers
3. Then Lice came from the wind
4. Then Flies
5. killed livestock
6. Boils
7. Hail
8. locusts
9. Darkness
10. killed all firstborn who had no blood on their doorpost

• Israelites not affected
• By that time, Pharaoh was fed up
• He then sent us away
• We went and camped by the red sea. 
• Egyptians pursued
• parted sea, as we made it across,
• Egyptians covered by the sea

Transition sound effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17iqKIBbGd0                                         

David Monologue

1. David showed mercy. After David became a king, the former king's relatives were scared that David would take revenge on them. But David showed mercy to his predecessor's family mercy. In fact, he sought Mephibosheth, a surviving member of Saul's family, gave him his family land and welcomed him at his own dinner table. 
2.  Read the whole story: 2 Samuel 9
3. David admitted when he was wrong. David made mistakes. Big ones. After he had an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his army officers, he had her husband killed in battle. But when the prophet Nathan confronted David with his error, David admitted, "I have sinned against the Lord." 
4.  Read the whole story: 2 Samuel 12
5. David recognized wise people. While David was wandering in the desert with his band of followers, he had a run-in with a man named Nabal. The only thing that prevented a conflict between David and Nabal was Nabal's wife Abigail. David recognized what a wise woman Abigail was and married her after Nabal died. 
6.  Read the whole story: 1 Samuel 25
7. David trusted God. Although David wasn't perfect, he sought God throughout his life. He faced many obstacles that required him to place his faith in God, because the situation at hand looked bleak. The most famous of these encounters was the fight with Goliath, when David famously declared, "The Lord has saved me from lions and bears; he will save me from this Philistine." And against all human odds, David defeated Goliath and began his long career serving his people and his God. 

Do a monologue on David's Life

Transition Audio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17iqKIBbGd0

Jesus

Above all heroes in the bible, our ultimate superhero is Jesus. He is the only one who has sacrificed his life to save us all. He has gained victory over the evil villain Satan and daily fights our battles for us.

Let us humbly allow him to save us from the trouble that we are in, even if we placed ourselves in this trouble through our actions.

As we close this afternoon's proceedings, let's also seek to be a hero to someone. Not for recognition, but to enhance our neighbours' lives and improve our daily walk with Christ as we seek to be better witnesses and Christians.