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Heroes Live Forever

KEY VERSE

Hebrews 11:40

STICKY STATEMENT

God turns the hurting into heroes.

LESSON OBJECTIVE

Children will learn through the life of a Christian hero that God can work through difficult situations to further His Gospel.

CHECKLIST

1. A PowerPoint is available for this lesson.

2. Video.: A Different Kind of Family – “Let God Write Your Story” Series https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/19-1/ Time: 4:13 (Body)

3. Visuals 1-4 (Younger Adaptation only – before introduction)

4. Band-Aids still in their paper sleeve, one per student.

5. Pencils/ Markers

LESSON OVERVIEW

Oftentimes, children will think of “Christian heroes” as these amazing people from the Bible who accomplished big things for God. They may even think that no such heroes exist in recent history and that they themselves do not have what it takes to

accomplish such tasks. Through telling Nate Saint’s story and struggles of the early church, students will see God equips them and is honored when they reach others with His gospel message; even if it means their lives are given for the cause.

You, as a teacher, can watch the whole story of Nate Saint and his family through the iTECUSA YouTube Channel “Let God Write Your Story” series. The first video is Counting the Cost: 1956 “Let God Write Your Story” Series (https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/19-1/). Also, a book and movie based on the story of Nate Saint are available.

Younger Adaptation

Teacher’s Note: Younger students and even unchurched students may not have the knowledge of biblical heroes. Use this PowerPoint to briefly introduce some of these ordinary people that God used to do extraordinary things.

Let’s talk about some heroes in the Bible.

19. Heroes Live Forever (Module 6 – Hero) - 1

https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/19-1/




[Show Visual 1.]David was just a teenager when he fought a giant named Goliath who was against God and His people. Using only a sling and a stone, David killed Goliath. David was full of courage.

[Show Visual 2.]Samson was strong, so strong he killed a lion with his bare hands and defended himself from 1,000 Philistine men with only the jawbone of a donkey. Samson had amazing strength to protect God’s people.

[Show Visual 3.]Esther went to see her husband the King without permission, which was punishable by death, to save God’s people from death. Esther was brave and selfless.

[Show Visual 4.]Noah built a huge boat, called the Ark, and loaded all of his family and two of every kind of animal on it in obedience to God even though others thought he was crazy. Noah was faithful.

[Continue lesson from the Introduction.]

INTRODUCTION

What makes a hero? [Allow time for children to respond.] Interesting ideas. What about Bible heroes? Who are your favorite heroes in the Bible? Why?

Teacher’s Note: Allow time for children to respond. Be prepared to share your own Biblical hero if children are younger or unchurched. You can insert the Younger Adaptation here as well.

Those are some amazing Bible heroes. What makes them so special is that these heroes are all real! They’re not comic book characters, but real people like you and me. They were heroes because they allowed God to use them to do extraordinary things. I want you to think about this question: do heroes even exist today?

BODY

In the 1950’s, a missionary named Nate Saint lived in the South American country called Ecuador. He was a pilot and would fly other missionaries into the jungles so they could reach tribes that lived deep in the rainforests.

During one such flight, Nate saw the hut of a tribe called the Waodani (Wuh-don-knee). This people group was known to be very savage and violent. They had not had any positive contact with people outside of the tribe. Certainly, they had never heard of the one true God and His love for them.

For several weeks, Nate Saint flew his plane over the area where the Waodani lived, doing “bucket drops” of gifts. He dropped things like shovels and machetes. The plane he flew was a very small plane, and only two people could fit in it. To make these drops, the bucket was tied to the back of the plane with a very long rope. Once over the village, he would fly his small plane in tight circles so that the bucket would lower to the ground and remain still so that the tribal people could take the items out of the bucket. Eventually, the Waodani started exchanging gifts through the bucket, too. One gift the tribal people gave was a live bird which the missionaries kept as a pet.


After many flights, the time had come. Nate Saint and four of his friends knew God was leading them to contact this dangerous tribe. One day, they flew out and landed their plane along the shore of a river near the Waodani village. After a while, three Waodani villagers came out and spent the day together with Nate Saint and his friends, enjoying each other’s company. One of the villagers even flew in the plane with Nate Saint. Think about it, the tribe did not even have cars, let alone planes. What do you think the Waodani people thought about these new, strange people? [Allow time for children to respond.]

A few days later, the men flew back out to where the tribe lived. As they flew over a river nearby, they could see several villagers crossing the river. What do you think the missionaries thought about the Waodani now after exchanging gifts and spending time with them? [Allow time for children to respond.] The missionaries thought they had made new friendships and were going to be able to begin sharing God’s Word with them. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Nate Saint and his friends landed the plane. At some point, the missionaries made contact with the villagers and were killed by some of the Waodani men.

Now, like any good God story, it doesn’t end there. Let’s watch this video of Nate Saint’s son Steve and grandson Jamie talk about what happened next.

Teacher’s Note: Play the video A Different Kind of Family – “Let God Write Your Story” Series https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/19-1/ (4:13).

After the death of Nate Saint, his family was hurting, but God turns the hurting into heroes. After Nate Saint’s death, his sister, Rachel, chose to live the rest of her life with the very people who killed her brother. The tribesman that killed Nate Saint eventually accepted Christ. As a young boy, the same age as some of you here today, Steve Saint called the man who killed his own dad, “father.” God turns the hurting into heroes.

When Steve Saint grew up and got married, he and his wife raised their own children with the very tribe who killed their grandfather. Nate Saint may not physically live forever, but spiritually he lives forever in heaven with Jesus. Because the Saint family allowed themselves, ordinary, real-life people like you, to be used by God, the Waodani people are now God followers. God turns the hurting into heroes.

APPLICATION

So now, I want to ask you again, do you think real heroes exist today? Absolutely! You can be a hero too, even if you’ve been hurt.

God’s Word is full of wonderful promises, and He has special plans for each of you. Even though life is sometimes hard and unpleasant, you must remember that God’s love and hope remain. In Hebrews 11, it talks about this. Listen as I read. [Read Hebrews 11:36-37, 40.]

People in the early church faced many difficulties because of their faith in Jesus and sharing His message. However, just like the Saint family, they trusted in God’s promises. In the times that life is hard and confusing, look for God. He promises to always be there. In the times that you are hurting, remember God turns the hurting into heroes.

Look for opportunities to share God’s love, even to those who may be causing the pain. Your class bully who makes fun of you might need a kind word. If your parent has a bad day and is grumpy, they might need an extra hug. Your stingy sibling who will not share might need you to share your special treat.



I am going to give you a Band-Aid, I want you to leave it in the wrapper. [Pass out Band-Aids and writing utensils.] Think of someone who has hurt you or may be hurting. Write their initials on the Band-Aid. Now, I want you to think of a way you can share God’s love with that person. Maybe you want to pray for them, say something encouraging to them, and give them a hug or handmade card. Whatever it is you plan to do, write it on the Band-Aid. You can tuck this Band-Aid in your Bible to do two things: first, it will remind you to pray for them and to share God’s love; and secondly, it will remind you that God turns the hurting into heroes. [Close in prayer.]

PERSONAL TRAINING TIME

Goal of this Personal Training Time

Help the children understand the difference between fictional heroes and real-life heroes. Discuss heroes in their own lives and what makes them a hero. Guide your discussion to help the children desire to take on those same qualities.

Discussion Questions

1. How are Bible heroes different from movie and comic book heroes? (Bible heroes are real regular people like you and me. They are chosen by God to do incredible things for God’s glory not their own.)

2. Who is a hero in your life? (Children may need help with ideas, be prepared with your own hero. Some examples: a teacher, parent/ grandparent or Bible teacher. Tell children why they are a hero to you. Lead a discussion as to why they chose a particular hero.)

3. Why is it important for us to share God’s love with others, even if they have hurt us? (God loves everyone and wants to be loved by everyone. Sometimes, those who are hurting others are hurting, too. The only solution to that is God’s love.)

PARENT CONNECTION

In Olympians we learned that God can turn those who are hurting into heroes. We discussed and showed the group the life story of Nate Saint. You, as a parent, can watch the whole story of Nate Saint and his family through the iTECUSA YouTube Channel “Let God Write Your Story” series. As a family, talk about what makes a real hero. Help your child see that God can use them as heroes, too!


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