If everyone's special, no one is

by Gordon and Ronni Lamont

Suitable for Key Stage 2

Aims

To think about this line from the film, The Incredibles.

Preparation and materials

• This assembly links thematically to 'God's Work of Art' - it is probably best used first.

• You need to know the plot of The Incredibles.

Assembly

1. Ask who has seen The Incredibles. Discuss the film briefly by asking about everyone's favourite part. As a reminder and for any who haven't seen it, run through the important point that the Incredibles are a family of super heroes who live in a world where they have to pretend not to have special powers, to be like everyone else. Dash, a young boy with the gift of running incredibly fast, has to run slowly in races for fear of giving his secret away.
   
   
2. Introduce the line from the film, 'If everyone's special, no one is.' What do the children think this means? Talk about the idea of 'special' meaning different in some important and valuable way. If everyone is 'special' as a runner, does this mean that all races have to end with everyone tying for first place - and doesn't first place then become last place too?
   
   
3. Point out that in assemblies we often say things like, 'Everyone's special, everyone's unique.' Is this true? You have your own fingerprints, your own voice, your own expressions, your own ideas, but you're also a lot like other people. Sometimes two or more people will come up with the same idea for a story, or will answer a question in a similar way. So we're different but the same, unique but part of the same group - the human race.
   
   
4. One way of thinking about this is to think of the idea of everyone being special to someone else. You're special to your parents, your friends and family. Christianity and other faiths teach that God loves each individual in a special way, just for being themselves. What do you think - is everyone special?

Time for reflection

Reflection:
What do you think - is everyone special?
How can you make someone feel special today?

Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you that you care for me, especially for me.
Thank you that you care for everyone.
Amen.

Song/music

'When I needed a neighbour' (Come and Praise, 65)