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Cobra Kai: The Redemption of Johnny Lawrence

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In 1984, when The Karate Kid, featuring Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi was released in theaters, it told the story of a fatherless boy, who found a father-figure, defender, and friend in a Karate Sensei. His nemesis, Johnny Lawrence, at first glance is nothing more than a privileged, angry, bully who uses his martial arts training and popularity to torment LaRusso. In 2018, the show Cobra Kai presented a fuller, more layered storyline, that could be labeled- “The Redemption of Johnny Lawrence.”

It turns out, Johnny was also fatherless, and though he lived in a wealthy household, his stepfather treated him and his mother with contempt. Like LaRusso, he found a father figure in his Sensei, the ruthless leader of the Cobra Kai dojo, and Johnny was a willing learner of the teachings of Sensei John Kreese. When Cobra Kai begins, Lawrence has made a mess of his life- broken relationships, stunted growth, isolated and bitter. An unexpected encounter puts Johnny in a position of defending a young man named Miguel from some ruthless bullies, much in the same way Mr. Miyagi had once stood up for Daniel. Miguel asks Johnny to train him, and this begins a journey of redemption in Johnny’s life that takes a full 6 seasons to achieve.

With many setbacks, failures, hard lessons, and false starts, Johnny rises up into a man who can be counted on, and his personal redemption becomes a source of blessing for nearly everyone in his life. By the end of the series, Johnny has become a devoted father, a loving husband, a faithful friend, a wise counselor, and a trustworthy leader. Over 65 episodes, the redemption of Johnny Lawrence produces a thriving family and a healthy culture, and it reminds us all that when one man rises up, he brings everyone around him with him too.

The Swordsman: Wielding the Word — Part 1: Husbands is a new IMPACT Cohort study for men who desire to be great husbands who are skillfully equipped with the Word of God. We call these men who know how to rightly handle Scripture in their marriage, family, and work lives “Swordsmen.”

The difference between a man with a sword and a swordsman comes down to training and expertise. The Word of God is known as “the sword of the Spirit” and “a double-edged sword,” yet most men have not learned to wield God’s Word like an expert swordsman. In this IMPACT Players Cohort study, men will be trained with the 7 verses that every husband must learn to wield effectively in their marriage.

To learn more about The Swordsman cohort study for men, click here.

Warren Mainard
National Director | IMPACT Players
warrenm@impactplayers.org

To Equip & Encourage

Cobra Kai: The Redemption of Johnny Lawrence

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