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When you and your family watch iconic films like Star Wars, does it unleash an inner yearning to brandish a light saber, release your inner Jedi, join the universal battle to fight evil, and take a stand for all that is good?
The characters in the Star Wars universe resonate as strongly as they do with us because they bring to life the spiritual struggles we face on a daily basis. The plots to the films are powerful because they bring to light our desire to rise above our circumstances and become more than we think that we can be.
For kids who are enthusiastic about sci-fi and pop culture but less interested in God and the Bible, stories like Star Wars provide a great segue into discussions on matters of faith!
One reason kids love Star Wars is because every child dreams of making a difference in the world. Every teenager wants his or her life to matter. Instead of bolstering these dreams, however, our celebrity-obsessed culture often conveys the message that we have to be rich and famous in order to count.
God’s Word contains life-affirming truths that contradict this message, but if our kids are more immersed in the media than the Bible, how will they hear what it says?
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God –that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
One way to counter our culture is to shift our kids’ focus away from these powerful film and television icons and to turn their focus to biblical themes and stories. Let’s help our kids understand how the stories of these archetypal characters are similar to real-life people from the Bible, whose lives and challenges are just like ours. Let’s show them how the Bible provides the wisdom they need to overcome their daily battles and claim victory over their foes!
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
For example, Luke Skywalker, a Tatooine farmboy, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest Jedi warriors that the galaxy has ever known… but his journey wasn’t easy. He had to step out in faith and endure many hardships as he pursued an unknown and uncertain destination. He had to undergo years of rigorous training to prepare for the task set before him.
In a similar way, many of Jesus’ disciples also came from humble roots. Four of them – Peter, James, John, and Andrew – were fishermen. Another – Matthew – was a tax collector. They had to step out in faith to follow Jesus. They endured much suffering and persecution as part of their training and discipleship program. Yet, by living out the principles that Jesus taught them, they changed the course of history. Their legacy continues to impact lives even today!
When God calls us, it takes a lot of courage to look beyond our individual circumstances and grasp the larger picture, then to overcome our fears and step out in faith.
As we discuss the similarities and differences between the spiritual journeys of modern-day film heroes such as Luke Skywalker and biblical heroes like Peter with our kids, we might want to ask:
When God calls us to step out in faith, how will we respond to His call?
If you’re living with aspiring Jedis, sci-fi aficionados, or kids who are fascinated by the stars and the universe, one Bible that’s sure to capture their hearts is the NIrV May the Faith Be with You Holy Bible – a brand new, full-text Bible that shows kids that the highest, truest, and most rewarding way to a life of wisdom, apprenticing with the Ultimate Master himself – Jesus Christ.
This Bible recognizes that living life in the Spirit isn’t about cushioned pews and easy living – it’s about adventure, risk, daring, and the pursuit of wisdom. The NIrV May the Faith Be with You Holy Bible shows kids how to let the awesome power of God work through them to do things they never thought possible!
And, for young spiritual warriors who are ready to fight in God’s army through the powerful weapon of prayer, May the Faith Be With You: Bedtime Prayers is filled with colorful, space-themed art and fifteen simple prayers for children to read with their parents at bedtime or anytime. Children will love this padded cover board book which even glows in the dark! And don’t miss the devotional too!
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Your Turn
Which Star Wars character do you like the most and why? Can you connect his or her story to a real-life character within the Bible? What do you learn about living a life of faith in the process? Please share your thoughts in the comments on the blog!
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