1/03/2008

LA Symphony - Idle Time Bible Study

Here's a Bible study I wrote for LA Sypmphony's "Idle Time." It's published in the latest Interlinc music magazine. (YLO 70)


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Leader Guide
Artist: LA Symphony
URL: lasymphony.com
Album: Unleashed
Label: Syntax Records
Song: Idle Time
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational Church
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com

Theme:
Inactivity, mission


Materials needed: overhead or video projector (low-tech solution: posterboard or a chalkboard!), Student Guide handout.


Objective:By the end of this study, students will learn many bits of simple, good advice. They will be encouraged to "get up" and do something with their life. They’ll also be challenged to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.


Warm- up: Proverb Shout-out: This game works well as a PowerPoint presentation. It can also be used with a basic overhead projector, posters or even written on a chalkboard. Take several well-known proverbs and write them down, leaving out one or two words on each one. Let the group shout out the missing words as you present each bit of simple, good advice: Possible proverbs include: (Use as many as you like – be sure to end with "Idle hands are the Devil's tools." )

  • A bird in the hand is worth two in a bush.
  • You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
  • A soft answer turns away wrath: but harsh words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
  • As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools return to their folly. (Proverbs 26:11)
  • Hatred stirs up disputes, but love covers all offenses. (Proverbs 10:12)
  • The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7)
  • Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by virtuous living. (Proverbs 16:31)
  • Train a child in the way they should go; even when they are old, they will not swerve from it. Proverbs 22:6
  • Blood is thicker than water.
  • Curiosity killed the cat.
  • Give someone a fish, and they'll eat for a day. Teach them how to fish and they'll eat forever.
  • Honesty is the best policy.
  • Many hands make light work.
  • Necessity is the mother of invention.
  • Silence was never written down.
  • While the cat's away, the mice can play.
  • You cannot unscramble eggs.
  • A fool and their money are soon parted.
  • The early bird catches the worm.
  • The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
  • You can't judge a book by its cover.
  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
  • Idle hands are the Devil's tools

Transition: Proverbs are short, simple and important pieces of advice. In our Bible, the book of Proverbs contains a long list of this good advice. We’ve heard some of them in our game. The last proverb we heard is the one we’ll focus on today. "Idle hands are the Devil’s tools." What do you think that means? (Let students respond and discuss.) After a few minutes of discussion,


Say: Let’s listen to what LA Symphony thinks abut this proverb.


Play: "Idle Time" from LA Symphony
During the song, have students write examples of "Idle Time" and also examples of "Get up" on their student guides.

Transition: Say: "Quit wasting your time – you’re only taking up space." That’s a pretty harsh statement. Do you ever feel like you’re just "taking up space?" What kinds of things did you write down that you could do to be active instead of idle? (Let students share their thoughts.)


Bible Lesson:Toward the end of the song, one of the artists in LA Symphony proclaims: "I play the game for those who choose to seek the name -- Proclaim eternity and keep my mentals in that frame." It sounds like a call to tell others about Jesus. Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about that. (Have students read Isaiah 6:8, Mark 16:15, and Romans 10:15.)


Ask: What do you think God calls you to do as the result of reading and hearing these Bible verses?


Say: Being willing to go and do what God asks and sharing the Gospel of Jesus with sometimes seems like a daunting task. What ways can you think of to reach out to others to share Jesus love?(Let students offer ideas and encouragement)


Say: A couple of organizations that encourage all to get involved all over the world are souperbowl.org, churchworldservice.org and youthworks.com. (Share information about these ministries or others that you prefer.) How could we, as a group, get involved with these organizations to help share Jesus with others? (Have students respond and discuss.)


Wrap-up: Thank you for all of these ideas. Let’s work together to ‘get up’ and make a difference for Jesus in the world.


Closing Prayer: When we’re quiet, God, please help us to think about ways to serve you. When we’re busy, God, please help us to be doing things that serve you. Help us to get up, go and share Jesus’ love with all we meet. Amen.

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