Youth and culture: Ministry and media

Group, Jul/Aug 2002 by Belknap, Bryan

biblical discussion starters

michelle branch

MUSIC

song: "Everywhere" (from The Spirit Room)

theme: God's omnipresence synopsis: The singer feels her love's presence all around her.

background: Michelle Branch (think Alanis Morissette without the anger) showcases her talent for melody and message on The Spirit Room. Though Michelle doesn't reference Jesus by name, she heavily implies him with images of blindness turning to sight, the lost being found, and light filling the singer's heart. Intended or not, these metaphors actually provide a powerful emotional connection for teenagers who are pressured to seek validation in relationships. God can fill their needs and guide them into healthy relationships centered around him. If young people turn their hearts lovingly toward God early in life, they can avoid much pain and emotional scarring. The Spirit Room proves a worthy debut for a sensitive yet adventurous young woman concerned with spiritual and emotional depth in her pop-rock songs.

discussion questions: Ask: Does this song describe the way you feel about God? Why or why not? Read aloud Psalm 139:7-10. What difference does God's omnipresence make in your life? Why doesn't God stop evil if he's always right there? Why would anyone want to flee from God? If you could fully realize the truth that God is ever-present to you, how would your life be changed?

newsboys

MUSIC

song: "Million Pieces (Kissin Your Cares Goodbye)" (from Thrive)

theme: Burdens

synopsis: Lay down your burdens and fly free.

background: The Newsboys Thrive once again. Steve Taylor's return as producer and songwriter adds more grit and wit to their trademark sound. Only Newboys (with Taylor) can make deeply devoted songs of faith with a touch of wry humor and skewed wit. They successfully reference pop culture and everyday objects to create genuinely teachable moments, not simply to show off their smarts. This desire to inspire (or crack up) never gets in the way of their attention to melody and hooks that get ingrained in the membrane. One listen to "Million Pieces" or "Live in Stereo" leads to permanent imprinting. The Newsboys also find time to offer up simple songs of passionate praise, such as "It Is You" and "Lord (I Don't Know)," which can easily be incorporated into youth worship.

discussion questions: Ask: What are some common burdens people carry? What's one burden you've had, and how did you deal with it? Read aloud Psalm 38:1-6. Why do people hold on to painful burdens? How does giving burdens-both sins and struggles-to God actually help a person? If God loves us, why doesn't he just take our burdens from us? What burden do you have right now, and what can you do to release it?

mr. deeds (pg-13)

MOVIE

Sweet-hearted, small-town dude Longfellow Deeds (Adam Sandler) inherits $40 billion from a distant relative and finds himself surrounded by charlatans bucking for a chunk of Mr. Deed's humongous pie. A hotshot tabloid reporter, Louise "Babe" Bennett, uses deceit to get the inside story on the mystery billionaire, but not before losing her heart to the unassuming man with a sizable bank account. This remake of the Capra classic poses a simple question-how would a ton of cash change you and the people around you? It's prudent for young people to form a biblical view of finances before they actually have a lot c money to blind them to what's truly important. Impress the importance of tithing, charitable giving, and investing in those things that have a high spiritual value, not a high price tag.

Ask: What would you do with $40 billion? What are some ways money can change people? Read aloud

1 Chronicles 29:12-17. Ask: Why do people believe that money is theirs alone and not God's? Besides tithing, what are some other ways to glorify God with your money? How can you discern whether spending money on yourself is selfish or not? What financial habits can you establish now that will help you in the future?

bandits (pg-13)

VIDEO

theme: Rationalizing sin

scripture: Isaiah 5:20-24

clip location: 47:00 through 48:45*

synopsis: Kate realizes that the men she's eating with are the Sleepover Bandits. She asks what it's like being famous for stealing old ladies' savings accounts and orphans' funds. Joe insists that they only steal money insured by the government because the government steals from the people.

gospel filter: We have a million and one ways to make our sin not only seem okay but actually the "righteous" thing to do in a situation. From white lies to premarital sex to murder, people find excuses for their moral failures. Challenge your young people to leave the world's values behind and view their choices in spirit and truth.

discussion questions: Ask: Have you or someone you know ever rationalized sin as Joe did? What happened? What motivates people to convince themselves and others that sin is okay? Read aloud Isaiah 5:20-24. Ask: Where do you see people exchanging truth for lies in society today? How do these attitudes creep into your life? What makes rationalizing sin so dangerous? What can you do to clearly draw the line between sin and righteousness in your life?