Hero Boot Camp Curriculum
[I preface the material to say, once again, this is homemade and raw! But I share it with you because I don't think my boys are the only kids in the world that look up to heroes in the real and imaginative world. I see no harm in pretending to be Superman or thinking they have the skills to be the next Buster Posey. I do, however, want them to know that they, themselves, as 2, 4, and 6 year olds, have what it takes to be a hero and God equips them. And that is:]
A hero does what's right, but doesn't stop there. A hero is brave and courageous and takes action.
Shauna Pilgreen
HERO Boot Camp
Round 1: Hero? Who yo?
Let momma talk. It won’t take long.
Topic: “What is one, really?”
Webster’s definition of hero:
A HERO does what is right, but doesn’t stop there. He is brave and courageous and takes action.
Describe types of heroes:
Superheroes like definition 1a is a fictional character such as Superman, Spiderman, Batman, and Luke Skywalker. They have abilities that no living human can have because the abilities have been created in someone’s imagination. We dream of being like a superhero because we get to do something that no one else can do.
Role model heroes like definition 1c are people such as ball players, superstars, musicians, scientists, who have done something great that we love to talk about. We want to be like these heroes because they have accomplished something great.
Everyday heroes like definition 1d are people such as police officers, fire fighters, soldiers, and doctors. But everyday heroes also includes people with disabilities or with sickness that continue to battle to live and enjoy life. Everyday heroes are those who come to the rescue, big or small, and help others out without expecting anything in return.
Jesus like definition 2 is the central figure throughout time that has done what no other has done for all mankind and that is dying for our sins so that we might live.
False heroes like definition 4 are images or people who are like heroes, but are not truly heroes. They don’t fit the definition of a hero because maybe they don’t make the right choices. Maybe they lie about being a hero and trick us into thinking they are brave and courageous. These false heroes are called idols. They want our attention and they want us to be like them, but they are taking our focus off of living life to the fullest.
Sometimes we create these false heroes in our minds when we get forget what is right and true.
Game
Place action figures out in front and give the boys 30 seconds to look at all of them. Cover them up and remove one or more while they have their eyes closed. Then remove the cover and ask them to say which heroes are missing. Continue play as long as there is interest.
Heroic verse:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
I challenged the boys with the thought that heroes HIDE God's Word in their hearts so they don't do wrong against their God and Savior and so they can discern between right and wrong. (Based on Psalm 119.11)
Handy Time: (that’s the male version of craft time)
With the thought of HIDING God's Word in their hearts, we made treasure chests for them to hide their special findings. (feathers and rocks picked up on the ground, medals won, special letters) Glue, color, and draw on a treasure chest. These chests will hold what is special to the boys, including our verses we are learning.
Round 2: Superhero? That’s who!
Let momma talk. It won’t take long.
Topic: “What makes Him super?”
Name some superheroes and what makes them super.
Superman (speed, vision, flight, xray vision, superhuman sound, memory)
Batman (fear and strength)
Spiderman (strength, cling to most services, reflexes)
Luke Skywalker (feels the Force)
Wonderwoman (speed, strength, enhanced vision & hearing)
Remember from Round 1 Training that superheroes have supernatural powers and truth be told, only Jesus had those. What could Jesus do that made people amazed at God’s power in Him?
Made the blind to see
Made the lame to walk
Turned water into wine
Walked on water
Fed 5,000 with 2 pieces of bread and 3 fish
Came back to life
What superhero can do that? Exactly.
Heroic Verse:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Thank God for sending Jesus, our perfect example of bravery, truth, and courage.
Round 3: Near and Far. A cop and a star!
Let momma talk. It won’t take long.
Topic: “Let’s show ‘em!”
Which gets more attention:
Firefighter or baseball player
The Jonas Brothers or your doctor
Policeman or Steve Jobs (creator of iphone and ipad)
Exactly. Our role model heroes are getting attention or have gotten attention. It’s cool that we think they’re something. But they already know that. Let’s focus on the heroes that are near us that often don’t get much attention.
Our actions speak louder than words. And here’s what that means. You can tell me you like dinner, but if I see you eating it and wanting more, I saw in your actions that you truly liked your dinner. You can tell me you really want a Giants baseball jersey, but I can tell by your actions in how you are saving your money, that you really want one. Do you see? Our actions speak louder than words.
The police officers who park their cop cars along the street outside our apartment know they are to protect our city, but if we take action and show them they are taking care of us, then our actions speak louder than words.
So we will make cards and wrap them around some granola bars and hand them out to the police officers right now.
Make paper sleeves to wrap around granola bars with phrases such as, “Thanks for keeping us safe. You’re my hero!” “We appreciate you for being brave and courageous.”
Then truly let our actions speak louder than words. And know that I dream that you accomplish much with your life like playing MLB or creating a gadget greater than the ipad, but it’s not your accomplishments that make you great, but doing what is right, brave, and courageous, and taking action to help those around you.
Heroic verse:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Then thank God for every day heroes.
Round 4: Oh, no! A false hero!
Let momma talk. It won’t take long.
Topic: “Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.”
False heroes are tricky, I tell you. In fairy tales, the false hero is punished in the end and the true hero is put in his place. Remember, a false hero tries to take the place of a real one. In Cinderella, the stepsisters want to be the hero in the story. They trick the prince and try to get their big feet in the little slipper.
Read The Water of Life (German fairy tale)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(instead of inserting the story, check it out on wikipedia or at your local library)
It's a great story about a hero and two false heroes.
Heroic verse:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Ask God to open our eyes to see the difference between right and wrong and help us to do what's right.
Round 5: Hero. Yes you!
Let momma talk. It won't take long.
Topic: "It's Your Turn!"
Ask the boys what they've learned this week.
Encourage them to explain the difference between the real world and the imaginative world. Encourage them to explain the difference between a true hero and a false hero.
Do you know
why you can't sit around and wait for someone else to be the hero? Because you have been given the Truth and that's a very special gift! It's a privilege to be a hero. Though there are dangers and uncertainties, you're not in it alone. Batman had Robin. Superman had his Super Friends. Luke Skywalker had Yoda and Obi-Wan. As a hero, you have mom and dad. You have your brothers. You have other heroes of the faith that are cheering you on. It's your turn! So do what's right, but don't stop there. Be brave and courageous and take action!
Heroic verse:
Say both verses and receive a medal of honor (or a sillyband!)
Handy Time: (that’s the male version of craft time)
Decorate your very own HERO shirts.
[My mind is already churning about ideas of Hero Boot Camp 2011!
Ephesians 6 - the tools we need!]