King of the Hill 8×02: Reborn To Be Wild
A few years ago I was going through a bit of a Sum 41 phase. As I was surfing the internet for Sum 41 related stuff, I came across the image to the left. Sum 41 had been on King of the Hill and it had some kind of God theme. Interest piqued.
After a bit of searching, I found the episode in question – Reborn To Be Wild. If you’re a youth leader, you really should get your hands on a copy of this episode. Watch it with other youth leaders. The discussions you’ll have afterward will be invaluable.
If you’ve never seen King of the Hillbefore, it’s an animated show about the Hill family (Hank, his wife Peggy and their son Bobby) living in a small American town. It’s more of a humorous slice of life show than a “whacky things happen” show.
At the start of this episode, Hank walks into Bobby’s room to find him head-banging to some metal music. Hank is upset that his son his turning into a thug, so he sends him along to the local Church youth group to learn more about Jesus and become a moral, upright citizen. What he doesn’t realise is that the group is cool. The youth pastor is a tatooed, dreadlocked, skate boarder with a passion for extreme sports. The youth group kids are skaters with a penchant for shouting “Praise Him!” when they complete a righteous skate board trick.
“Why didn’t Jesus catch me?”
“He has a plan for you. The Miller flip just isn’t part of it yet.”
And there’s the conflict. Hank wants his son to grow up to be a respectable young man, but the Christian youth group dress and act in ways that are the opposite to the vision Hank wants for his son. On the other hand, Hank wants his son to know and love Jesus and this group have sparked a passion for the Lord in the boy. What to do?
This episode is a must see for any youth minister. It asks so many questions that we really should be wrestling with. To what extent should we be “cool” to attract the local youth? How do we show respect for the parents of our youth members? Do we go for “cool” and scowl at parents for just not getting on board with Jesus’ plan?
Get your group of youth leaders together. Watch this episode together. The discussions you will have will be invaluable to the future of your mission as you work together to proclaim the message of Jesus to young people.
“Hey dude, can you hold my Bible. You don’t have to just hold it, you can read it, you know.”
Pop Culture Christ 
I don’t think it matters as long as you praise him. I am not christian but it shouldn’t matter what you wear just to praise Jesus. Hank should’ve respected atleast Bobby taking the time to enjoy reading the bible. He’s a child he’s going through the phase of dressing and acting like that. Hank doesn’t like anything Bobby does, as i have watched the show many times. So what if Bobby doesn’t like lawn work and propane Hank should just let him be him and express himself like he wants.
I agree with you GOT9, but I place Hank’s motives a little higher than that. I believe the final scene, where he tells Bobby that he doesn’t want him to treat Jesus like another fad and forget about him is honest and heart felt. While Hank may be unable to see past his conservative leanings, he genuinely wants Bobby to know Jesus. I think it’s more than just wanting his son to be a carbon copy of him.
dude, where did you get this episode? I’ve been looking around everywhere for it.
Unfortunately, season 8 isn’t available on DVD yet. I’ve got a downloaded copy that I’m keen to replace with a legitimate version.
Is there any way u could email me your copy of this episode. I have been looking all over for it and cant seem to find it. I would like to use as a lesson with my teens.
Thanks
Hi Clint
Sorry, the file is way too large to email. Not that I encourage using torrents, but that’s your best way of getting your hands on a copy at this stage.
Yeah, I’ve been looking around for it, and only torrents are really the option. Still hoping channel 7 plays it soon, since it’s back on at 11:30 thursday nights after Heroes.
Can u direct me on how to do that?
Clint: Contact me at joelamoroney@hotmail.com
you can find this episode on netflix streaming if you have that